Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Jrue Holiday Open to Sixth-Man Role: 'I Like Winning'
The Boston Celtics have the best top six in the NBA. What bodes well for this group, which includes a reshaped core with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis acquired at the expense of Marcus Smart and Robert Williams, is their willingness to sacrifice individual production and playing time for team success.
That's consistent with their character even before the All-Star appearances and lucrative contracts. But having a veteran group who have each made a name for themselves in the NBA lends itself to the entire group sharing a selfless attitude in pursuit of a championship.
As Porzingis expressed after last Saturday's practice at the Auerbach Center, "Honestly, it's not that much of a sacrifice. If, at the end, if you're winning, (then) what are you sacrificing? Nothing. Your own stats for winning? Like that's, it makes sense. I'd do that trade every day."
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Another debate, one this author has weighed in on, is whether Holiday will end up becoming Boston's new sixth man.
While there's merit to that move, from this vantage point, that doesn't seem like what's best for the team. But if the two-time All-Star's asked to take on a role John Havlicek, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, and Malcolm Brogdon have all starred in for this franchise, he has no problem doing so.
"It's not that big of a deal," stated the former UCLA Bruin on Monday. "I like winning. Winning is really important. Playing good on the court is important. Supporting my teammates is important. So, it's not always how you start, it's how you finish."
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
After coming off the bench in his first exhibition game with the Celtics, it will be interesting to see whether Joe Mazzulla starts Holiday in Tuesday's tilt vs. the New York Knicks, a matchup Boston's top six is expected to suit up for.
If the second-year head coach brings him off the bench again, with this believed to be the preseason finale for this group, it seems more likely than not that Holiday will often be the one who's not out there at tip-off. However, even if that's the case, he projects as a fixture in the Celtics' closing lineups.
Further Reading
The Latest on Celtics' Extension Talks with Derrick White
Joe Mazzulla Indicates Neemias Queta has Earned More Playing Time
Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most
Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. 76ers: Regulars Shine, Roster Battles Intensify
Oshae Brissett's Value to the Celtics on Full Display in Preseason
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
