Jrue Holiday's Bucks comments could raise the stakes in postseason

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday. Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Jrue Holiday's comments about the Bucks could raise the stakes in the postseason

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 3/26/24

Jrue Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the Damian Lillard trade. He was subsequently traded to the Boston Celtics in return for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and two future first-round draft picks.

Under Joe Mazzulla, Holiday became integral to Boston's starting rotation, forming a fearsome partnership with Derrick White in the backcourt. However, Holiday is disappointed with how the Milwaukee Bucks front office handled their decision to trade him.

"I think for me, it was just a shock," Holiday said during a recent appearance on "The Draymond Green Show." "At least let me know 24 hours in advance. Not five minutes in advance. Maybe I'm asking for too much. I mean, I won [a championship] there."

"I had no clue... It was just a shock because at least let me know 24 hours in advance, not 5 minutes in advance... I won [a championship] there."

Jrue Holiday sounded OFF on the Bucks for how the Damian Lillard trade went down.

(via @TheVolumeSports)pic.twitter.com/JwPZX3cFa1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 26, 2024

The Bucks are widely expected to be the Celtics' opponents in the Eastern Conference Finals. Holiday will likely be tasked with guarding Lillard. As such, there will undoubtedly be additional motivation for the Celtics veteran guard. He is arguably the best on-ball defender in the NBA and will likely relish shutting down the player he was traded for last summer.

On paper, the Celtics have the better team. They hold a 10-game cushion over the Bucks in the Eastern Conference. Still, both rosters are capable of winning a seven-game series. Holiday's presence will undoubtedly be a primary factor for the Celtics' potential success against Milwaukee.

If Holiday can help the Celtics reach the NBA Finals this season, maybe he will forgive the way things went down with the Bucks just a few months ago.

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