Jrue Holiday Open to Sixth-Man Role: 'I Like Winning'

How quickly the NBA's best top six is meshing speaks to their selfless nature.

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics have the best top six in the NBA. What bodes well for this group, which includes a reshaped core with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis acquired at the expense of Marcus Smart and Robert Williams, is their willingness to sacrifice individual production and playing time for team success.

That's consistent with their character even before the All-Star appearances and lucrative contracts. But having a veteran group who have each made a name for themselves in the NBA lends itself to the entire group sharing a selfless attitude in pursuit of a championship.

As Porzingis expressed after last Saturday's practice at the Auerbach Center, "Honestly, it's not that much of a sacrifice. If, at the end, if you're winning, (then) what are you sacrificing? Nothing. Your own stats for winning? Like that's, it makes sense. I'd do that trade every day."

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed (44).

Another debate, one this author has weighed in on, is whether Holiday will end up becoming Boston's new sixth man.

While there's merit to that move, from this vantage point, that doesn't seem like what's best for the team. But if the two-time All-Star's asked to take on a role John Havlicek, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, and Malcolm Brogdon have all starred in for this franchise, he has no problem doing so.

"It's not that big of a deal," stated the former UCLA Bruin on Monday. "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."

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) shoots during the first half vs. the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden.

After coming off the bench in his first exhibition game with the Celtics, it will be interesting to see whether Joe Mazzulla starts Holiday in Tuesday's tilt vs. the New York Knicks, a matchup Boston's top six is expected to suit up for.

If the second-year head coach brings him off the bench again, with this believed to be the preseason finale for this group, it seems more likely than not that Holiday will often be the one who's not out there at tip-off. However, even if that's the case, he projects as a fixture in the Celtics' closing lineups.

Further Reading

The Latest on Celtics' Extension Talks with Derrick White

Joe Mazzulla Indicates Neemias Queta has Earned More Playing Time

Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. 76ers: Regulars Shine, Roster Battles Intensify

Oshae Brissett's Value to the Celtics on Full Display in Preseason

From Envisioning Being a Buck for Life to Joining Top Rival, Jrue Holiday's Ready to Help Celtics Get Where He's Already Been

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Determined to Deliver Banner 18, Jayson Tatum's 'Looking Forward to Doing More, And So Should Everybody Else"

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

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