The 2024 NBA Finals winner emerged from the inferior Eastern Conference. However, the Boston Celtics showed that staying more ready, focused, and fresh will win your franchise a championship. Critics may question the route and competition that it took to get here. Regardless, this team stands alone at the end of a long, grueling season. The 18th banner, earned through the collective sacrifice and dedication of this team, is a testament to how well this unit played together.
For Jrue Holiday, it’s the culmination of a journey that started with a phone call that occurred when he least expected it. Every ring has meaning, but for the former UCLA guard, this piece of jewelry will have a little extra shine. This end began with an untimely notification and ended with streamers falling from the rafters. Additionally, he is officially in an impressive, one-of-a-kind category.
Jrue Holiday: NBA finals winner keeps positive trend
Holiday became the first player to win it all in his first year with two different teams. This stat relates to those who averaged 30-plus minutes during the playoff runs. Moreover, while the Boston Celtics celebrate their Game 5 win over the Dallas Mavericks, the Milwaukee Bucks must be kicking themselves. Roster configuration and trades can be a nearly impossible landscape to navigate, but this is one front-office move they wish they had back.
While napping in September, his cell rudely disturbed him not once, but twice. The first was from the Wisconsin-based GM, the second was his agent. So shortly after arriving in Milwaukee and winning the Larry O’Brien trophy, he was being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Understandably upset at the time, he felt slighted.
Boston Celtics seize championship opportunity
After the begrudgingly inconvenient timing of the trade conversation, four days later, he was on the move again. This time to Massachusetts. This was the exact type of player and personality that this locker room needed! He brought more than just winning experience and a veteran presence. Holiday is a player who can occasionally be a number option on offense, while most nights deferring and playing within the flow of the system. More importantly, he sets the tone for every possession on defense.
The player dynamics between teammates is often unmeasured. However, his calming presence in the huddle, while unmatched pressure on the opposing backcourt, allowed Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to find their rhythm and not be forced into too many high-pressure situations throughout the year. This championship run just doesn’t happen with Jrue Holiday sitting in Milwaukee or Portland.
Learning moment for all franchises
As mentioned, the guard won in his inaugural season with the Bucks, as he now has with the Boston Celtics. (Again, while playing significant starter minutes). At times, especially against Dallas, he was clearly the best player on the court. While Brown and Tatum took turns being the main scoring threats, even they would admit this. Holiday did not garner a vote for the distinguishing Bill Russell award, but few basketball minds would have argued if he had won it outright.
Meanwhile, his previous franchise looked to add more firepower, and if we’re being honest, a little more flash. Credit goes to Brad Stevens; he believed in what was being built, yet recognized the need that desperately needed to be filled on the roster. For teams that are good, and look to please fans or front-office executives with short-sighted maneuvers, let this be a lesson. Chemistry, fit, and balance remain the pillars of a championship squad. The NBA Finals winner will always be the more complete team at the end of the season.
About the Author
Gabriel is a lifelong sports fan. Pick a sport, and he’ll enjoy talking about it with you! From football to soccer, combat sports, and volleyball! You can follow Gabriel on Twitter @BigTenGabriel to enjoy all of his great content. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we do several shows daily.
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