Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jrue Holiday on Joining Celtics: 'My Best Chance of Winning'
Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, during his introduction welcoming Jrue Holiday, read his accomplishments and career accolades. Multi-time All-Star, Olympic Gold Medalist, his All-Defensive prowess and Teammate of the Year awards, they all stacked up. One was particularly fitting, given what brings the former Buck to Boston.
"One-time NBA Champion," Grousbeck added. "One's a very meaningful number, but, it can be improved on let's hope."
Holiday followed that statement with an ear-to-ear grin of excitement.
"Now you're on the right side," Steve Pagliuca stated at the end of his words letting Holiday know of Boston's long-time admiration from afar. The five-time All-Defensive guard repeated him.
Holiday, draped in the newest Celtics' Nike attire post-practice, said Joe Mazzulla was texting him schemes after the trade.
"Right when I got traded, Joe was the first person sending me clips on what to do on pick-and-roll defense, how to run the offense and stuff like that," Holiday said.
Though the last few days were a whirlwind for Holiday, with everything he and his family had established in Milwaukee, he has been traded before. He understands the business and how things can change in the blink of an eye.
The transition could be simple when it is to a historic franchise like this, who focuses on winning and nothing less.
"I feel like coming here is definitely my best chance of winning and being able to help the guys here that have made big moves, and done great things in this league," he said. "I'm here to really just help step up their game and become a champion."
Holiday noted how extremely supportive and graceful everyone around him has been in guidance of places to live, where things are in his early-connection with Boston. He has been extremely appreciative of all the love he and his family have gotten thus far.
Holiday has plenty of moments as an opposition to the 17-time champions, both on and off the court. He could not hide his joy and gratitude to now join forces.
"Really just glad to be here a part of this championship-caliber group, and not only that, what this stands for," said Holiday. "I mean, a Boston Celtic."
Like Celtics' legend Paul Pierce and current face of the franchise Jayson Tatum, the 33-year-old is defecting after growing up rooting for the other side of the NBA's marquee rivalry.
"Growing up in LA as a Laker fan, I know a lot of my family's probably hurt," Holiday followed with a chuckle. "I know this is a blue-collar town, they love people that work hard and they put their heart into it. And that's just the type of person that I am is, every time I step onto the court, I give you my everything."
Holiday continued to add onto what made Boston such an attraction to him prior to the trade's completion with their resume's making for a perfect marriage. He even recalled the many notorious matchups he had against the Celtics in the past.
"Even when I was in Philly, I went game 7 with Boston," Holiday recalled his 2012 Semifinals' thriller with the team. "Rondo hit two threes to go to the Conference championship."
The two-time All-Star acknowledged how through his 14-year career and prior, the Celtics have always been championship-driven, forever in the mix.
"It was a very easy decision that this would be one of the places that I would've loved to come to," he said. "We also lost to you guys in seven games, not too long ago."
Holiday has had quite the memory of TD Garden and the passionate Celtics fans throughout his career as well.
"They're a bit crazy, not gonna lie to you," he said. "They get rowdy, they get in your face. Definitely one of the best sixth men in the league if not the best. I love the aggression, I love the environment. I think they care about hard work on defense and getting loose balls and stuff like that over maybe windmill dunks and things of that nature but, again, that's the type of guy I am. I'm 10 toes to the ground, and I'm gonna push and grind as hard as I can. The fans are literally insane, and I'm proud to be a part of that coming into this year."
Grousbeck, Stevens and Pagliuca all continuously shared stories from taking in the second day of training camp. They strongly described how sensible the excitement and hunger are within the group upon Holiday's arrival.
Between, Mazzulla's emails to Celtics' alumni of being around more, to Pierce emphasizing ownership's words about the energy in the gym feeling elevated, there's a palpable buzz as Boston begins its journey through the 2023-24 campaign.
Grousbeck, near the end of Holiday's presser, addressed spending into the second apron, offering similar words to a statement made prior to 2008's championship season. When he entered Boston 20 years ago, he said they were going to keep going for the 17th banner or die trying. Tuesday, the Celtics' owner rephrased that statement saying they are going to keep aiming towards the ultimate goal.
He noted the great feeling knowing they have the build of a championship team saying having Holiday is a thrill after how much of a long-time goal it has been. Grousbeck made sure to add the last time it was this sort of a feeling in training camp was the arrival of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett beginning the last title season.
The anticipation, excitement and eagerness is only just getting started for the Boston Celtics.
Further Reading
Jayson Tatum Reacts to Damian Lillard Joining Bucks, Discusses Celtics' Urgency to Win Now
Sensing Celtics' Excitement, Intensity, Paul Pierce Believes Jrue Holiday's 'The Missing Piece'
Celtics seek long-term marriage with Jrue Holiday
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
Celtics Excited to Learn from, Play Alongside Jrue Holiday: 'He Understands What It Takes'
Kristaps Porzingis Says His Foot's 'Perfectly Fine' and He's Ready for Training Camp
Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule
Why Celtics Should Enter 2023-24 Season Optimistic About Most Important Area of Improvement
