Jrue Holiday Reveals His Three Toughest NBA Players To Guard

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday revealed the three toughest players he has ever had to guard.

Dec 29, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) reacts during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports / Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Jrue Holiday is seen by many as the best on-ball defender in the NBA.

He finished this past year with averages of 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest while shooting 48.0% from the field and 42.9% from the three-point range in 69 games for the Boston Celtics.

Recently, he revealed the three toughest NBA players he has ever had to guard (h/t FIBA).

Holiday: "Top-three toughest opponents to guard ever. Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant and Kemba Walker."

When Jrue talks about defense, you listen 👂 #Paris2024 x #Basketball pic.twitter.com/Z3nbRHk5YJ

— FIBA (@FIBA) July 24, 2024

Rose was once among the best guards in the NBA when he won the 2011 MVP Award with the Chicago Bulls.

During that season, he averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 44.5% from the field.

Apr 28, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers point guard Jrue Holiday (11) is defended by Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) during the third quarter in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The Bulls won 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports / Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Walker made four NBA All-Star Games and had career averages of 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 41.8% from the field and 36.0% from the three-point range.

Mar 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives to the basket and scores as New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) defends during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets won 122-113. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports / Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Lastly, Bryant is one of the ten best players in NBA history.

During Holiday's rookie year, Bryant averaged 27.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 45.6% from the field (the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2010 title).

Feb 06, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Lakers 95-90. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports / Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Holiday has played 15 seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks.

The two-time NBA Champion has career averages of 16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.1% from the three-point range.