Jrue Holiday Confirms What We All Already Knew, That Nothing In Sports Tops Winning A Title In Boston
Brian Babineau. Getty Images.It's a pretty slow day in the NBA world at the moment, which means it's the perfect time to check in on the champs. Just like his fellow champion teammate Al Horford did immediately after winning the title, Jrue Holiday spent some time today helping out at the opening of a new Raising Canes in downtown Boston
But that's not the reason for this blog given that it's clearly a PR spot. What I care about is this
You heard the man, nothing, and he means nothing tops winning a title in the City Of Champions. A second Gold Medal? Whatever. That barely moves the needle. Winning with the Bucks? Are we sure that even happened? Who even remembers that title at this point. You hear it all the time and it's the truth. There is nothing in sports like winning a title in Boston. Sure other cities go nuts and fans celebrate it, but it's not the same. Sorry if that offends, but it's the truth
Boston Globe. Getty Images.
Advertisement
Brian Babineau. Getty Images.
Boston Globe. Getty Images.Like Jrue, I too find myself still riding the high of that Game 5 and the ensuing parade. I imagine that'll last for at least another month until the first preseason game, but if I'm being honest I'll probably never come down.
There's a reason Danny Ainge told Al Horford 8 years ago in his free agent pitch meeting that you might be able to win a title anywhere, but it's different in Boston. That was enough for him to sign on the dotted line and it was the very first thing he said once he reached the top of the mountain
I understand that for other fanbases to hear shit like this causes you to roll your eyes and maybe it's part of what feeds the hatred towards Boston sports, but to that I say too bad. If you don't like it, beat them. To me, this aspect is partly what makes the 2024 Celtics title so awesome. Everyone is stamped as legends in the city forever. It doesn't matter if they don't repeat, it doesn't matter if they never win another title as players again. They did it, and that's all that matters.
Advertisement
For someone like Jrue, it means going from a former enemy to one of the most beloved Celtics for the rest of his days. For guys like Tatum and Brown, it cements them as Celtics legends who could retire today and still have their jerseys raised to the rafters. For Al Horford, it was the perfect cherry on top to a HOF career and also cements him as one of the best Celts ever. Derrick White may have just signed a max extension, but he's never going to have to pay for a single thing for the rest of his life when he's anywhere in New England. The list goes on and on.
While opposing fanbases still find it hard to cope with the fact that the 2024 Celts actually got the job done, the reality is what makes this title so special is how much was on the line. I said since October that there were only 2 options for this team. They were going to have the largest choke job in NBA history or they were going to be stamped as one of the greatest teams in NBA history. There was no in between. Thankfully, they ended on the right side of history.
And if I were Jrue Holiday, I would try and get used to this new life. Because make no mistake, he played as big a role in any in Banner 18 and is going to be just as important in the journey back up the mountain for Banner 19