PORTLAND, Ore. – Jrue Holiday spent almost no time as an official member of the Portland Trail Blazers organization.
He never wore their jersey. He never appeared in a game or even practiced with the team.
Before Portland, who acquired him from the Milwaukee Bucks in September, traded him to the Boston Celtics four days later, Holiday didn’t even have enough time to cheat on a televised show, nor did he want to fully digest the consequences his magnificent business from where he won a championship.
But as he decided on the next steps in his career during a difficult end for him and his family last season, Holiday had enough time to have a meaningful conversation with Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups.
Before the Celtics beat the Blazers 121-99 on Monday night, Holiday said he admired the way Billups handled the situation, putting the player’s wishes first.
During the short time Holiday was technically with the Trail Blazers, Billups, one of the few people who understood the emotions of such a transition, supported Holiday’s desire to join another organization and advised him on the move to Milwaukee wherever the guard is next.
“It meant a lot,” Holiday told The Athletic. I see a coach who has my best interests at heart (in that sense). And you could see that and hear that, which maybe some players don’t often see from a coach.
So he definitely had my best interest (in the heart) from the beginning. And he just always looked out for me.”While Holiday (left knee tendinopathy) didn’t suit up for the Celtics as they beat the Blazers, the game served as a reminder of the hectic. 96-hour window in who he was traded twice in a deal that transformed the Eastern Conference rival.
The Bucks received Damian Lillard’s first holiday deal, the Celtics, preparing for the prospect of an uncertain player in the Lillard trade, quickly grabbed Holiday Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and two first-round picks from Portland.
How different would Boston’s roster be without Holiday?
He formed one of the best starting lineups in the league, fitting in seamlessly and providing toughness on both sides of the ball. The 50-14 Celtics, who now have 64 wins, just wouldn’t be the same without him.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups, who was featured in Monday’s game against the Celtics, offered advice to Jrue Holiday after he was briefly traded. of the Bucks. For the Trail Blazers.
Between those two trades, when the Celtics were among several candidates to follow Holiday, he met with Billups to discuss his future.”I had a great conversation with him,” Billups recalled. “I did I love Jrue, man. I love Jrue. And we got to know him very briefly. And I had a conversation with him—a long, good conversation—I almost know it was a little difficult for him because he was traded and it was a little dark.
I was already there. So I can rap with him so easily because I know him. And it was important to me that a good person like him, who was great in every team and community he lived in, that he was treated properly and that he was put in a great position and a great place.
”In that conversation, Holiday said Billups wanted to join a contender rather than remain on Portland’s rebuilding roster. Billups, a five-time All-Star in his time, understood Holiday’s desire to compete for another championship.
On a deeper level, Billups also identified with the complex thoughts running through Holiday’s head. Billups, who was traded from the Pistons in 2008 after winning a championship there four years earlier, understood what it was like to walk away from a team he helped become a champion.
“I think the biggest thing was that there were a lot of people who really lived through it, you can’t speak to him that he is really seen and respected,” Billups said. “So I just wanted to hear him, listen and understand that I know how he feels, I know where he is in his career.
He doesn’t have 25 years to just (be patient). I know what he’s going through. So we had a really good conversation, although of course I didn’t know where it would end, but our goal was to make sure he was in a great situation. And happy for him (that he landed with the Celts), man. He’s just Jrue. He just wins.
”After a heart-to-heart with Billups, Holiday was shocked by the Bucks organization’s decision to trade him for Lillard. Holiday’s wife and children were established in Milwaukee. He couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else.
Shortly before the Bucks traded him, Holiday said he wanted to play with the team for the rest of his career. Quickly, his reality changed. He would have to adjust to life elsewhere. He was still upset after the deal.
Bills helped prepare Holiday for what to expect.”He’s just real with me,” Holiday said. “Probably because he’s just been through a lot. To be a Hall of Famer, to be a winner, to be a champion, to be a keeper. He’s just very honest with me and talks about his experiences.
“What perspective did Billups share?”
One, the biggest thing was staying professional, man,” Billups said. “You can get very emotional. the kind of situation where you get caught up and say things you can’t take back or act like.
