The Impact of Jrue Holiday’s Addition on the Boston Celtics

The Impact of Jrue Holiday’s Addition on the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have emerged as strong contenders for the NBA championship following the acquisition of All-Star guard Jrue Holiday. This move was seen as a response to their biggest rival in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks, acquiring Damian Lillard during the summer.

Immediate Success and Defensive Dominance

The Celtics’ decision to bring in Holiday has paid off immediately, as they currently hold the best record in the entire NBA with an impressive 11-2 record. Additionally, they lead the league in Net Rating, a testament to their overall team performance. Holiday’s defensive prowess has played a significant role in Boston’s success, as he has focused on limiting opponents’ offensive capabilities. This has allowed the Celtics to establish themselves as the top defensive team in the league.

A Call for Offensive Contribution

Despite his defensive impact, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is urging Holiday to be more assertive on the offensive end. Currently, Holiday is averaging only 12.9 points per game, his lowest scoring average since his rookie year. Mazzulla believes that Holiday has the potential to replicate his offensive contributions from his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he proved to be a decisive factor in their success.

Mazzulla’s Confidence in Holiday

Mazzulla expressed his confidence in Holiday’s abilities, citing his past performances with the Bucks when other key players were absent. He believes that Holiday’s contributions on both ends of the court were instrumental in securing victories. The Celtics coach is eager to see Holiday take on a similar role in Boston and make a greater impact on the offensive end.

Scoring Leaders in the Celtics

Currently, there are four players on the Celtics who are scoring more points than Holiday. Jayson Tatum leads the team with an impressive average of 26.9 points per game, followed by Kristaps Porzingis (22.0), Jaylen Brown (19.8), and Derrick White (13.6). Mazzulla and the Celtics organization hope that Holiday can elevate his scoring output and become a key offensive contributor alongside these top scorers.

(Cover photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)