Jrue Holiday's fingerprints are all over the Celtics success

I hate to go directly to the invisible thousand pound elephant in the room, but if Marcus Smart is on this team, the Celtics are still playing.

The level of poise at the end of games when trailing in clutch situations is night and day from years past. Sure, Tatum and Brown have matured and that is also evident. But, the biggest difference on the court is the presence of Jrue Holliday. Everyone knows their role. Everyone understands what it's going to take to win. That comes from their own experience, but in real time it’s enlarge parts from the silent voice and leadership of one Jrue Holliday.

Never mind the game winning plays that he has made. Game Three with the And One Lefty layup immediately followed by picking the Pacers pocket to seal the deal. Then in Game Four in almost a replay of the game before Holiday land a monster And 1 left lay up. He then secured the rebound off the Tatum miss to seal the deal. It’s a less heralded play after an ill advised three-pointer from Tatum. Holliday positioned himself for a series sealing rebound with four seconds left, allowing the Celtics to drip out the clock as opposed to presenting an opportunity for a game tying moment. Again, if Marcus Smart is in this position he probably ends up shooting the damn shot. Even if somehow he got out of his own way, he’d be flopping for an offensive rebound or out “basketballed” in a critcial moment. You can not overstate the difference in these two players during these moments. It’s the difference in winning an losing. Think of game 4 and 5 of the 2022 finals. Marcus Smart with unbelievably disappointing and bone headed turnovers or poor shot choices. Who was defending him? Jrue Holiday

I really don't think his presence can be overstated. Even through the season if it felt slightly underwhelming, these are the exact moments Jrue Holliday was brought here for and given $145 million extension. The Anti Smart.