11-Year NBA Veteran Reveals Harsh Truth on Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday Trade

The Boston Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday and were immediately rewarded

Nov 22, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket defended by Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images / Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

When the Milwaukee Bucks traded Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard, many in the league thought it catapulted them to become immediate title favorites. However, many others believed that the Bucks would desperately miss Jrue Holiday's defense - that includes former Memphis Grizzlies guard Gilbert Arenas.

During the newest episode of The Gil's Arena Show, Arenas revealed his thoughts on the imapct of Holiday leaving the Milwaukee Bucks. In Arena's eyes, Holiday covered up for the defensive mistakes of both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez - something that Damian Lillard can't do.

"Jrue Holiday's defense was all-world that made everyone think Giannis played great defense, and made Lopez," Arenas said. "Lopez is one of the only defenders that did not defensive rebound at all, and was credited as a defender. You took Jrue Holiday out and these two defensive giants looked horrible last year. Why? It's because Jrue Holiday played on-ball defense, and he netted everything."

Can the Bucks be a contender without a defensive anchor 🤔 pic.twitter.com/yOevZdGKV1

— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) September 12, 2024

It's not a coincidence that the year the Boston Celtics traded for Jrue Holiday, they immediately looked like the best team in the NBA and won an NBA championship. Much of that is due to the defensive gravity of Holiday.

"[Jrue] did everything that made the team look like a great defensive team," Arenas said. "So when, you take him out and say alright Dame... well, it's Dame's fault."

It's worth noting that the Milwaukee Bucks were injured in the NBA Playoffs and that made played a huge part in their early exit. However, no one can deny just how great Jrue Holiday was on the championship Celtics.

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