The Celtics Got So Lucky With The Jrue Holiday Trade
The Celtics are predictably awesome. Boston sits 21-6 on the season and in first place in the Eastern Conference. The C’s still haven’t lost a home game on the season. The Celtics are really good but it’s worth remembering just how lucky they got this offseason.
The Celtics home run offseason came with some luck. Let’s call it what it is. The C’s botched the first iteration of the Kristaps Porzingis deal. They had to include Marcus Smart in the trade because Malcolm Brogdon had a medical issue. Add in the fact that Boston was incredibly stupid to not match the contract for Grant Williams. Boston could very well be sitting here with Porzingis and an incredibly flawed grit factor.
Except that didn’t happen. The C’s didn’t go into the season with Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon. Both of whom are now hurt. Williams is out for the season. Instead, right before the start of the season they found a way to add Jrue Holiday. A player who never otherwise would have been available if Milwaukee just simply kept their team together. A player Milwaukee probably should have kept. Instead, he was moved in the Damian Lillard trade.
The Celtics found a way to replace Marcus Smart and got lucky doing it. They lucked their way into a better version of Smart. Holiday has provided the Celtics excellent defense while adding a higher level scoring element.
Holiday, 33, is averaging just 12.6 points per game through 25 contests. However, it’s worth noting that this team is loaded. With Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, and White, sometimes the shot attempts just aren’t there. The former UCLA guard is still playing at a high level and is cashing in nearly 40% of his 3-point attempts.
He’s also added a career high 6.7 rebounds per night. Something that C’s have desperately needed in the past. The playmaking element has been there too adding 4.7 assists per night. Holiday has been a perfect fit in terms of fitting into the star heavy system.
Holiday is just a winning player. Always has been. Boston is +10.3 when Holiday is on the floor. Compare that to Brogdon who was actually a net -2.7 player last year. Holiday has been used a pitbull taking on tough defensive assignments and have nailed all of them.
It’s this stuff that has taken Boston to another level. Add in his scoring ability and it’s created the best starting lineup in the NBA.
The Celtics would still be good without Holiday but his acquisition makes you feel like this team can and should finally get over the hump. It’s just worth remembering how incredibly lucky this team got. They wouldn’t be nearly this good if the Holiday trade never happened.
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