Celtics fans will love Rajon Rondo’s scouting report of Jrue Holiday – NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics are receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews for their acquisition of Jrue Holiday.

A Celtics legend, Paul Pierce, believes that Holiday is the missing piece needed for Boston’s championship aspirations.

Last month, the Celtics traded point guard Malcolm Brogdon, center Robert Williams III, and future first-round picks to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Holiday. Despite the steep price, the Celtics couldn’t resist the opportunity to acquire a highly skilled defensive player with championship experience and a strong three-point shooting percentage.

Rajon Rondo, a former Celtic who won NBA championships with the team, knows the importance of a strong point guard. Rondo had the opportunity to play with Holiday during their time with the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2017-18 season. Rondo speaks highly of Holiday and believes he is a valuable addition to the Celtics.

During an interview at the Auerbach Center, Rondo expressed his excitement about the Jrue Holiday acquisition, stating, “He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with. I’m excited for you guys to see what he can bring each night. He has a great mentality, a professional approach to the game, and brings valuable intangibles to the court. He’s unselfish, fun to be around, and a competitor.”

Holiday’s skill set mirrors that of Marcus Smart, who has been a key player for the Celtics for many years. Both players excel at perimeter defense and bring high energy to that end of the floor. However, Holiday is a more consistent outside shooter and a prolific scorer.

Most notably, Holiday brings championship experience to a Celtics team that previously had no players with rings. The Milwaukee Bucks traded significant assets to acquire Holiday after the 2019-20 season, and he played a crucial role in helping them secure a championship the following year. The Celtics hope that history repeats itself in the 2023-24 season.

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