Why did the Celtics go for Jrue Holiday last fall? For what Jrue Holiday is in the Team USA squad for the Paris Olympic Games? The answer can be found in Game 1 of the series against the Pacers. If Jaylen Brown was the hero of the evening with his equalizing shot six seconds from the end of the 4th quarter, and Jayson Tatum shined in overtime, it was indeed Jrue Holiday who kept his team afloat, and weighed the most on both sides of the court.
“Jrue was fantastic. Jrue was exceptional,” says Jaylen Brown. “Hats off to Jrue. It's thanks to him that we won this match. He demonstrated great mastery. He knew how to take advantage of his size advantage. He was so extraordinary. And he defended on Haliburton, he held him, he ran after him… It was unique from Jrue Holiday.”
Superb tribute from Jaylen Brown to his playmaker. It must be said that he perhaps had his best game of the season with 28 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 interceptions. All at 10 out of 16 on shots, including 4 out of 8 from 3-point range. It's also he who makes the pass for Jaylen Brown's basket six seconds from the end of the 4th quarter.
“We always knew there was a chance. We see crazy things happening all the time,” recalls Jrue Holiday, who plants 20 of his 28 points after the break. “We didn't think about losing until we actually lost, and that's part of the reason we were so resilient. Everything can happen… “
Olympic champion and NBA champion, Jrue Holiday brings all his experience and composure to a team that has been struggling for years on the last step. For Joe Mazzullathe presence of the leader is essential and valuable.
“We all know Jrue is a great defender, but he's also the type of player who is going to impact the game in different ways every night. Tonight he scored points, he played a playmaking role, he defended, it was a well-balanced game. His calm, his behavior throughout the match were decisive for us.”
Good news for Joe Mazzulla and his players, Jrue Holiday has just been extended until 2028!
