It’s time to give Boston Celtics' Jrue Holiday his flowers

When the Boston Celtics traded for Jrue Holiday before the season, most people felt that he was an upgrade over Marcus Smart. Not only has Holiday been an upgrade, but he has been the perfect co-star to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Holiday’s transition to Boston has been seamless, and he is thriving in his new role.

It's time for us at the Houdini to give Holiday his flowers and highlight his solid season so far with the Cs.

This season, Holiday (as a fourth, sometimes fifth option) is averaging 13.3 points, 5.9 rebounds (career-high), and shooting a career-high 44% from three-point range. Holiday has been lethal as a corner-three shooter, which is vital, given the improved passing ability of Tatum and Brown. 

The most impressive thing to me about Holiday is how he easily transitioned from a ball-dominant role last year with the Milwaukee Bucks to a guy who just simply picks his spots with the Celtics. Without Khris Middleton for most of last season, Holiday was essentially the number two option on the Bucks, which meant more shots. Holiday is taking about six fewer shots per game (two-pointers and three-pointers combined), which is a big difference for an All-Star caliber player. 

Jrue Holiday's lack of an ego has drastically helped Boston Celtics

The lack of ego from Holiday is awesome to see, and he deserves credit for sacrificing his piece of the pie. After making the All-Star team last season, Holiday could have easily demanded a larger role, but he was fine to sacrifice for the team.

Given how Smart was at times for the Celtics over the years in terms of needing the ball or inserting himself into games where it wasn’t warranted, having Holiday has been a breath of fresh air.

It will be interesting to see if the sacrifice from Holiday pays off with a championship in June.