Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'

Jrue Holiday is averaging 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and taking 10.8 shots, his fewest since he was a rookie.

The theme of the Boston Celtics' 2023-24 campaign is sacrifice. They have what's widely considered the most talented top six in the NBA. To maximize that, they must put the team above themselves, with everyone pulling in the same direction.

The franchise experienced first-hand what happens when that's not the case in 2019, when, as Gordon Hayward recently discussed in an appearance on Podcast P with Paul George, they "had too many agendas."

Boston's mix of players looking to establish themselves in the league that year and veterans trying to prove themselves again undermined a team with championship potential.

But this iteration of the Celtics features mature, experienced veterans, led by a top six that have signed lucrative contracts and accrued individual accolades. However, the only player on their roster to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy is Jrue Holiday.

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As he aims to return to the NBA's summit, Kristaps Porzingis says the two-time All-Star is sacrificing more than anyone else on the team to help Boston reach its peak on both ends of the court and build a 28-8 record, the best in the Association.

Defensively, the former UCLA Bruin's assignments range from getting asked to contain Julius Randle in the low post to wreaking havoc as a free safety who blows up drives before they collapse the defense, let alone get to the basket. He'll even operate in the middle of the Celtics' 2-3 zone defense.

As previously detailed, their offense is at its best when Holiday's aggressive, an approach the coaching staff implores him to maintain. But that's not easy to sustain when the ball's in one's hands far less than they've grown accustomed to in their career. The six-foot-four guard's 16.8 percent usage rate is the lowest of his 14 years in the NBA.

Playing alongside the collection of talent Boston's assembled, a group he joined in training camp, adds to the challenge of driving off instinct rather than overthinking matters when he gets the ball.

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After registering a season-high 40 points in a 133-131 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday, Jaylen Brown expressed, "In this league, you see a lot of guys - they can't handle that," regarding the position Holiday's in and how much he's sacrificing. "They can't handle being on a team where it's about us. This league is built to be all about you."

When the five-time All-Defensive Team selection came to the podium, informed of Porzingis' comments about Holiday giving up the most to help the Celtics' title pursuit, he shared his perspective on the matter.

"Am I? I mean, yeah, based off of where I came from," started Holiday. "But that was a different team with different needs and what they needed out of me. This team, what they need out of me is for me to be solid. For me to be open to different types of strategies and situations every single game, where I might be guarding a big, or I might be on a small, or a big might be on me; there's so many different scenarios.

"So, yeah, I appreciate KP saying that. Where, again, I would probably say the bulk of my career, I've had the ball quite a bit. But, again, we have a really good team. I'm not mad at my situation. I'm not mad at the sacrifices that I have to make."

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown Calls for Investigation into Celtics Loss to Pacers: 'Got the Right to be Upset'

Celtics Make Decisions on 4 Players with More than Trades in Mind

Oshae Brissett Making Strong Case to Fill Celtics' Search for Big Wing

Driven by Championship Pursuit, Jayson Tatum Unfazed by Sacrifice, Less Fanfare: 'Don't Look for That Praise'

Celtics Maximization Fueled by Their Maturation: 'Not Taking Days for Granted'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Brad Stevens Says Celtics Have 'Green Light' to Add to Payroll, But Boston Still Restricted

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'