The Milwaukee Bucks may have significantly influenced the outcome of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks.
This is the view of two prominent NBA players.
With Boston leading the Finals series 3-0 following their 106-99 victory over Dallas on Wednesday at American Airlines Center, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid raised a question on X (formerly Twitter) that grabbed the attention of Warriors forward Draymond Green.
On the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” Green responded to Embiid’s question by explaining that the Bucks’ trade of guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers last offseason, before Holiday eventually landed with the Celtics, provided Boston with the key piece needed to secure the championship.
“The answer to Joel’s question is yes, they actually did because they traded Jrue away and I just think you have to find a way to keep Jrue because he can guard bigger players,” Green said. “Jrue can play off the ball, on the ball, there’s no mismatch with Jrue and [Damian Lillard].”
“I think there are other things Milwaukee could have done to retain Jrue. But yes, they did [give Boston the championship] … Joel Embiid’s question, to which he knew the answer, is absolutely correct. It did give them the championship, and Boston has done a great job of putting it together. You have to give those guys credit … but he handed it to them.”
Initially, the Bucks traded Holiday to the Blazers in a deal that brought eight-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. Portland then traded Holiday to Boston, and the rest is history.
In 73 games this season, Holiday averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game while playing stellar defense for the Celtics.
Holiday, along with the acquisition of 7-foot-2 center Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team trade last offseason, strengthened an already impressive roster that now has Boston one win away from claiming the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
