As the regular season transitions to the playoffs, the Boston Celtics remain the top team in the league. They are 9 games separated from the 2nd in East (Milwaukee Bucks) and 6 games from the defending champions (1st in West). A major key in their dominance comes from the offensive cohesion, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis. However, the fresh addition of Jrue Holiday has enabled them to become the top defensive team in the league; marking their long-term success.

Jrue, often called the best defender in the league, bought the skillset to stifle individual matchups. However, under the guidance of head coach Joe Mazzulla, Jrue has uncloaked another layer in his defensive repertoire; one that forces him to guard bigger players. Talking to Draymond Green about the success in his new role, Jrue talks about Joe’s innovative defense that goes beyond the traditional approach of players guarding just their positions. Highlighting that he was guarding Joel Embiid in his first game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Jrue resonates that he had trouble comprehending Joe’s unique approach.

“I am starting to catch on. Before, I was so locked into hounding the ball, disrupting it… So many things playing to the defense now but I didn’t see the game.” However, Holiday shares that the new role has helped him become a better overall defender. “Now I am the one screaming. I am like you [Draymond Green]. I’m trying to be loud,” he summarizes his new role.

Mazzulla’s schemes revolve around making the most of each player on the roster. A sign of that is Derrick White’s surge and Boston’s team chemistry. Jrue Holiday’s part in the Celtics renders him to exploit all the key areas in an opponent’s defense. With that, Jrue claims that his capacity of “being a roamer and disrupter” has enabled him to “see the game in a different way now.”

Joe Mazzulla sees an equilibrium in Jrue Holiday

Being imbibed the notion of allowing big men to crash the boards, and hounding the best ball-ball handler, Mazzulla’s ways were a learning curve for Jrue. However, the guard has now settled at the forefront of the dynamic game plans.

With that, Mazzulla cites Jrue’ balanced demeanor to be the pivotal factor in his defensive leadership. The coach notices that Jrue, despite of misses and makes in the game, maintains a neutral stance on the floor; enabling him to stay focused on the play at hand.

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Draymond Green Blasts 76ers After Shocking Jrue Holiday Trade Bombshell: “Process Didn’t Work”

Gripping the defense and taking on a smaller offensive role, Jrue averages 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season. So far, Boston remains to be the best in the league. However, with their recent history of underperforming in crucial post-season games, can Jrue help the C’s radiate their season-long dominance when it matters the most?