When the Boston Celtics traded for Kristaps Porzingis last summer, their offseason looked complete. They traded Marcus Smart, shocking the entire fanbase and reshaping the outlook of the roster. But when the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard, a new opportunity presented itself. An opportunity to land Jrue Holiday.
Brad Stevens pounced on the chance to add one of the best two-way guards of the last decade, and the new-look Celtics were complete. Fast forward to eight months later, and Holiday helped the Celtics win their 18th NBA Championship. It was a team effort, but Hooliday’s leadership cannot be understated.
And the 2024-25 NBA GM Survey proves that fact.
Jrue Holiday's leadership is still wildly underrated
Every year, the NBA conducts a GM survey, asking executives around the league a bunch of questions about the state of basketball. Holiday’s name was all over the place. His name showed up in the responses to six different questions, all of which praised the impact he has on the Celtics.
He was only the leading vote-getter for one question—the NBA’s best perimeter defender. Holiday earned 43% of the votes for the question, marking the second year in a row he was named the winner of the category.
In tandem, Holiday also finished tied for second in the voting for the best defender in the NBA. Victor Wembanyama won the category with 40% of the votes, and Bam Adebayo, Rudy Gobert, and Holiday each received 10%. He also tied for fifth in the voting for the league’s most versatile defender.
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Holiday received votes for the player who will make the best head coach someday, as well as getting consideration for the league’s most versatile player.
But the most telling category Holiday got votes for was the NBA’s best leader.
Stephen Curry won the category, earning 33% of the votes. Jalen Brunson and LeBron James both won 23%, and Holiday, Chris Paul, and Nikola Jokic tied for fourth with 7%.
Most people wouldn’t consider Holiday to be a top-three player on the Celtics. Some may even argue that he’s their fifth offensive option. But when it comes to leadership, he’s essential to Boston’s success.
Al Horford is obviously crucial to the Celtics’ life behind the scenes, and despite only being there for a year, Holiday seems to be as well.
Everyone knows how important Holiday was last season, but based on the way GMs view him as a leader, he may be even more vital to the Celtics’ success than meets the eye.