The addition of Jrue Holiday during the offseason instantly elevated the Boston Celtics to one of the top contenders, if not the frontrunner, for the 2024 NBA championship. Holiday not only brought invaluable championship experience to the team but also appeared to be an upgraded version of Marcus Smart. However, on the surface, his debut for the Celtics against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night seemed rather unimpressive.

In 35 minutes of play, Holiday scored just nine points and dished out four assists, well below his career averages. It appeared that he might take a backseat in the offense, given the presence of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis, all of whom command their fair share of touches. Nevertheless, Holiday demonstrated his immense value to the Celtics through his exceptional defensive performance.

As noted by Dan Greenberg of Barstool Sports, Jrue Holiday made life extremely difficult for the Knicks’ star players on the offensive end. Holiday limited Julius Randle to just two points on 1-10 shooting over 23 possessions where he matched up against the All-Star forward. He also shut down Jalen Brunson, holding him scoreless on 0-4 shooting over 17 possessions. Even RJ Barrett struggled, managing just two points on 1-4 shooting over six possessions with Holiday as his primary defender.

Holiday’s defensive versatility is a significant asset for the Celtics, and it significantly bolsters their championship prospects. Despite being 6’4″, he can effectively defend a physical power forward like Randle, a crafty shot-creator like Brunson, and a quick, straight-line attacker like Barrett. It’s no wonder why the 6’10” Kevin Durant has consistently praised the 33-year-old guard’s defensive skills.

The Celtics boast a well-rounded defensive presence among their core players, making them a formidable team in the playoffs. In fact, the defensive partnership of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White may be one of the most resolute backcourts in the league.