Most people around the NBA did not consider the Celtics to be a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference this past offseason following the departures of Jrue Holiday and many other key veterans. With Jayson Tatum also sidelined with a torn Achilles, a major step back appeared to be a real possibility.
However, Boston has defied those expectations amid their run to the No. 2 seed in the East over the past three months. As Holiday returned to TD Garden for the first time since being traded to the Blazers in July, the former Celtic reflected on the team proving the doubters wrong.
“Not surprised. I knew that they’d do well,” Holiday said. “Knowing the type of determination that this coaching staff and organization has, being with this team for a couple years now and knowing the type of players they are and how they prepare, I figure they’d be good. Then obviously knowing Jaylen, I feel like he takes a lot of things personally. He doesn’t accept a lot, especially when it comes to being bad.”
Holiday spent two years in Boston including a title win in 2024 before being sent to Portland for Anfernee Simons in a cost-cutting move. However, he built strong relationships in Boston that left an impression of the culture they have built, led by Joe Mazzulla.
“Everything that they do,” Holiday said. “How they do it and how they run it. You can just tell by how Joe is, how he talks to people and how he is a person.”
Holiday also thought the team’s veterans would respond to a disappointing loss to the Knicks in the East semifinals last year despite their personnel losses.
“Just losing. I think people counted him out, counted them out as a team,” Holiday said. “Not just Jaylen. I know Payton, Sam, Neemi, Joe, the whole coaching staff, I feel like when people say they can’t do something they prove them wrong.”
The Celtics showed their appreciation for Holiday on Monday night, honoring him with a tribute video after the first quarter along with a standing ovation from the TD Garden crowd.
“Honestly, the love that you felt, even coming to practice, being in the arena and locker room here, obviously tonight, coming out for me, it felt that way every single game,” Holiday said. “You play hard for this team and city, and they definitely have your back.”