Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Jrue Holiday admits he initially thought Celtics fans would ‘hate’ him

By Jeff Smith | Last updated Jun 6, 2024 8:19 AM ET

The Boston Celtics saw a pathway to acquire a player in Jrue Holiday who they believed could help their pursuit of an NBA title. Eight months later, the Celtics find themselves four wins away from accomplishing that goal, and Holiday's unselfish play has been an integral part.

But for Holiday, the path to Boston was a whirlwind. After first being part of the trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, he wasn't a member of the Portland Trail Blazers for long before being dealt to Boston.

Just before the start of the 2024 NBA Finals, Holiday spoke about landing with the Celtics during a discussion with ESPN's Malika Andrews and Kendrick Perkins. He specifically praised Celtics fans, while admitting that at first he thought they were going to "hate" him.

"When I first came [to the Celtics], I thought that they would hate me...Once they love you, there's nothing like it," Holiday said of Celtics fans.

"When I first came [to the Celtics], I thought that they would hate me. ... Once [Boston] loves you, there's nothing like it."

Jrue Holiday on guarding Kyrie and his journey after being traded to Boston pic.twitter.com/bE5BRYLsIb
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 5, 2024

It's easy to understand why the city of Boston has embraced Holiday with open arms, as he's stepped up in any fashion required, even if it changes on a night-to-night basis.

While Holiday averaged 6.8 fewer points per game than he did in 2022-23 (12.5), he's been the definition of a Swiss Army Knife, especially thriving on the defensive end. He was named to second team All-Defense and was sixth in voting for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

But equally as impressive is how Holiday has seamlessly taken on whatever role is needed, and the proof of that came in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. After averaging 7.8 and 13.0 points per game in the first two rounds, Holiday's work offensively was a key against the Pacers. He averaged 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

Holiday will remain a key for the Celtics in the NBA Finals against a stellar Dallas Mavericks backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. While it will take an all-around effort to stop the duo, Holiday will be at the center of the defensive game plan.

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith has extensive experience as a sports writer and editor, including stops at ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, USA TODAY SMG, and Heavy. Jeff's passion for sports content starts and finishes with writing and he's grateful to be able to work in that field on a daily basis.

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