Jrue Holiday excited to provide Boston Celtics critical defense against Mavs' stars in Finals

Jrue Holiday understands the severity of his assignment for the Boston Celtics defensively in the team's NBA Finals matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. And like a six-time NBA All-Defensive guard should be, he's excited for the chance to slow down the Mavs' two critical perimeter threats, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.

“It’s hard,” Holiday said of his Irving and Doncic assignments in the Finals (h/t NESN). “It’s hard, but it’s fun. It’s two of the best scorers in the league, and they’ve been doing it for all of their careers. You’ve seen what they’ve been doing in the playoffs. They’re in a really good groove, not just scoring but playmaking, making their team better in crucial moments, closeout games, whatever it is.”

Holiday could become a Celtics legend by slowing down Dallas' devastating scoring duo enough for Boston's historic offense to take over games; like Tony Allen in 2008 slowing down Kobe Bryant but magnified because Holiday's offensive contributions have been powering Boston throughout the postseason as well.

It's good to know that Holiday finds the weight of that "fun." Paul George has gone on record saying Holiday loves defense, and someone who loves defense cannot possibly love it more taking on two creative shot-makers like Irving and Doncic.

Boston Celtics win the Finals if Luka Doncic can be significantly slowed down

If Irving is at his best, the Celtics will see three-pointers raining down on them. But that's not the be-all, end-all for Boston.

Doncic getting going would be. The Slovenian table-setter is a one-man offensive system who, if he's on his game, is nearly unstoppable. But on the flipside, if he's being kept under wraps, he can be reduced to a James Harden-like presence; still having an impact on the game, but not in a way that strikes any fear into opponents.

Stop Irving, you still have to stop No. 77. Stop Doncic and Banner 18 is Boston's.