What will Jrue Holiday bring the Boston Celtics that Marcus Smart didn’t

When Marcus Good was traded to Memphis to herald Kristaps Porzingis, there have been questions relating to whether or not Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard can be a adequate backcourt to get the job achieved. That concern intensified much more as soon as Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks shot as much as title favorites and the noise was whether or not or not Boston might deal with the Bucks large three in Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Khris Middleton. Then Brad Stevens made one other transfer buying Jrue Vacation from the Portland Trailblazers for Brogdon, Robert Williams, and draft picks.

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Jrue brings management, championship expertise, elite protection, and playmaking all whereas being one of many higher teammates within the league; Vacation has received the NBA’s Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Yr Award thrice in 4 years. Now in Boston, the Celtics are greater than able to going head-to-head with the Bucks.

Jrue has been labeled because the “excellent Good alternative” and with the “coronary heart and soul” of the crew now in Memphis, Vacation is the perfect participant to not solely replicate what Good dropped at the Celtics, however to reinforce it.

Regardless of each being two of the higher perimeter defenders within the league, they’ve an excellent relationship off the court docket. In September 2022, Good donated “Smart Carts” to Children’s Wisconsin in honor of Jrue.

On the Celtics Talk Podcast, Vacation talked about how he was “tremendous completely satisfied” for Good profitable Defensive Participant of the Yr.

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“Particularly as a guard, I do know what it’s like and the way exhausting it’s to protect 1-5 and probably not get a lot credit score for it,” Vacation stated. “To see him do it has been superior.”

Jrue who is 2 inches taller than Good supplies related protection. Vacation stated he’ll depart all of it on the market when requested what he’ll convey to Boston on the defensive aspect of the ball.

“I’m going to present you my all. I’ll give no matter it takes to lock up a defender… I’ll tackle the problem of any participant of this league,” Vacation stated.

The most important distinction between the 2 gamers is on the offensive finish. In Vacation’s’ final three seasons with the Bucks, he’s averaging 18.4 factors on 49.4% taking pictures (39.5% from deep). Good shot 41% from the ground and 33.2% from deep.

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Vacation goes from being the second choice on the Bucks to the fourth choice on the Celtics behind the Jays and Porzingis. Naturally, his scoring will take a dip, however his effectivity ought to stick across the excessive 40s and low 40s for 3.

Folks grew pissed off with Good’s shot choice and now the Celtics have a guard who provides related protection to Marcus however is extra dependable and constant on offense. Considered one of Vacation’s strengths is his capacity to knock down step-back threes.

Final season, out of Jrue’s 6.1 three-point makes an attempt per sport, 4.3 of them have been pull-up photographs. Vacation related on 36.1% of these threes.

Even at 33 years of age, Vacation can nonetheless create loads of area together with his fast ft and tight deal with.

Within the final two seasons, Vacation has shot 57.4% from photographs inside 8 ft, 47.7% from 8-16 ft, and 42.9% from 16-24 ft. In comparison with Good who shot 55.3% (inside 8 ft), 44.6% (8-16 ft), and 25% (16-24 ft) respectively.

Good’s sport was by no means about scoring so when he tried a warmth examine or tried his luck with a contested shot, it was met with frustration from followers. With Vacation within the constructing, Boston has a reliable two-way participant who thrives at locking up the opponent’s finest participant, however may also put the ball within the hoop.

Statistically, Jrue is an improve on Good particularly on the offensive finish. Marcus introduced issues that don’t present up within the field rating like his hustle, coronary heart, and dedication to win each free ball. Good is a novel and particular participant, however Boston fell brief with him over his tenure with the crew so it’s time to attempt one thing new and Vacation often is the one to lastly convey Banner 18 to Beantown.