Two weeks since he was instantly traded to the Celtics, it appears that evidently Jrue Holiday has loved a comparatively easy transition to Boston. But he’s had one minor hiccup within the course of.
“I’m still looking for a place to live,” Holiday stated Monday. “It’s just the market’s weird, some things fell through, weird stuff happened. It never goes smoothly.”
Holiday’s been right here earlier than. The guard has been traded twice in his profession, first in 2013 when he was dealt from the 76ers to the Pelicans after which once more in 2020 when he was moved to the Bucks. The latter represents a extra relatable scenario to now, because the deal got here early within the 2020-21 season, forcing Holiday to instantly acclimate to his new workforce like he’s proper now.
That transition went properly, as Holiday finally gained a championship in Milwaukee in his first season.
The Celtics, clearly, are hoping for a similar outcome this time. Holiday wasted no time in his adjustment interval. The morning after he was traded, he beat Brad Stevens to the apply facility. After his first preseason sport with the Celtics, he stated he had moved on from the loopy week of the commerce. He’s put the give attention to basketball and gaining chemistry together with his teammates. The outcomes, in two preseason appearances, have seemed principally seamless within the minutes he’s performed regardless of simply being traded.
“I think it varies for each person,” Holiday stated. “Sometimes being traded or if there’s coaching changes or if there’s player changes, there’s always going to be a time where the transition is just a little different because of personnel. So for me, obviously everything is different on the court and off the court. But on the court, I take it very seriously. That’s something that I every day have questions, ask questions, try to get acclimated as quick as possible.”
The Celtics have two preseason video games remaining, together with Tuesday night time towards the Knicks by which coach Joe Mazzulla indicated that all the regulars, together with Holiday, will play as they attempt to construct extra chemistry. But Mazzulla stated he’s been inspired with practices throughout camp and the connectivity they’ve developed by way of game-like conditions.
For Holiday, the transition has additionally been made simpler by the presence of assistant coach Charles Lee, who coached Holiday for his three seasons in Milwaukee. Holiday stated Lee has introduced some schemes from Milwaukee to Boston.
“Charles has always been the type to be very teacher-esque,” Holiday stated. “If I’ve any questions or something like that, I might all the time go to him. But he’s all the time quizzing me on performs, he’s quizzing me on schemes. What we need to do defensively. Literally simply stroll as much as me and ask me a query about one thing and I’ve to reply. So all the time simply conserving my thoughts going, my thoughts engaged. …
“I kind of call him a teacher because when he talks you always have to pay attention,” Holiday continued of Lee. “He’s always kind of like hinting at the answer but kind of using your brain to think and really just think the game. So him being over here just makes it more natural for me.”
Praise for White
Derrick White might not get a lot consideration since he’s not a star, however the Celtics guard clearly has earned respect across the league. After a preseason sport on Sunday, Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell stated that he desires to play like White this season.
“My inspiration has been Derrick White. I wanna be Derrick White,” Russell stated. “He doesn’t get a lot of credit for what he does, makes all the winning plays, and that’s who I wanna be.”
White has confirmed to be one of the reliable gamers on the Celtics on each ends, particularly defensively after being named to the league’s All-Defensive second workforce final season.
“You can rely on him every single day,” Mazzulla stated. “He understands it’s not always going to go his way and he always has really good body language. He’s one of our intangible leaders because he kind of brings it every single day and we can heavily rely on him in those areas, so, that’s a great goal to have, to be someone like him. I still think he’s underrated from a defensive standpoint because of how good he is, and hopefully if he continues to grow offensively we can see a different side of him as well there.”
Tip-ins
There was a report from ESPN final week that USA Basketball was aggressively pursuing Holiday to return for Team USA at subsequent summer season’s Olympics. Asked on Monday, Holiday stated he hasn’t heard something however expressed his curiosity in a return. He helped Team USA win the gold medal on the 2020 Olympics.
“Would I like to hear from them? Why not?” Holiday stated. “I’d like to see what we can do out there.” …
While Mazzulla has not but dedicated to a beginning lineup, Holiday echoed his coach’s phrases from over the weekend about it not mattering to him.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Holiday stated when requested how vital beginning is to him. “I like winning. Winning is really important. Playing good on the court is important. Supporting my teammates is important. So it’s not always how you start, it’s how you finish.” …
Jeff Van Gundy, who was just lately employed by the Celtics as a senior marketing consultant, was noticed after Monday’s apply on the Auerbach Center. He was on the aspect of the apply courts having an extended chat with Brad Stevens.
Source: www.bostonherald.com