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Celtics Favorite Compares NBA Championships, Olympic Medal

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday is one of just three players who were able to win an NBA championship and Olympic gold medal this year. He’s just one of eight players to do it in NBA history. He’s the only player besides former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen to do it more than once.

Largely overlooked by the casual fan because he doesn’t put up gaudy scoring numbers, Holiday is quietly putting together a Hall of Fame career. He may have just two All-Star selections, but he does have six All-Defensive selections. He also has, as previously mentioned, two NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals.

This week may not be the time to talk about that. When Holiday retires and the dust settles, then those debates will intensify. Right now, he’s riding the high of his summer.

Celtics’ Jrue Holiday Compares NBA Championships, Olympic Medal

Holiday has made over $256 million in his career, but that didn’t stop him from making an appearance at a local Raising Cane’s to help out behind the counter. During his community service, the 34-year-old was asked to whether he preferred winning the gold medal or championship this year.

“The medal in Paris was cool,” Holiday says. “It was obviously against France so it kind of like literally us against the world.”

“But winning here was amazing. I’m not sure it tops that,” Holiday considers. “To be able to win here in Boston. Game 5. I mean the crowd. The shot Payton (Pritchard) hit. I mean it was all just so overwhelming. That was amazing. Then the parade was crazy, too.”

“So… I don’t know. I feel like I’m still on the high of both… but that Boston win was amazing.”

In light of Carmelo Anthony saying he wouldn’t trade his three Olympic gold medals for one NBA championship, it’s a fair question. Many assume that an NBA title takes precedence for players. However, there have been thousands of NBA players and at least one may see it differently.

Boston or Milwaukee?

Holiday was also asked to compare the championship he won with the Celtics to the one he won with the Milwaukee Bucks.

“They were both different,” he says, “to be completely honest.”

“Going to Milwaukee is my first one and I get 50 years in between is kind of crazy. But I’m from L.A. and I grew up a Laker fan. So, for one, putting on the green was a bit weird for me like the first day.

And then, once I kind of got used to the green, we win the championship and it was like against the team you hated as a Laker fan. But I think once I kind of got acclimated to the city and the fans, it was crazy.”

As Holiday notes, prior to the 2021 NBA Finals, the Bucks hadn’t won a championship in 50 years. He’s not even rounding up; it had literally been 50 years since a Bucks player had hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Back then, Oscar Robertson was their starting point guard.

Making history in that manner has to be surreal. It being Holiday’s first NBA championship and one he won after 11 seasons only adds to that. However, a person’s first love isn’t always the person they marry. Or, phrased differently, just because it was his first doesn’t mean it was more special.

With that being said, Holiday didn’t say that the Celtics championship was better. Still, it’s clear that there were elements that made it a fantastic experience as well.

“I feel like I keep on saying that, but there’s no word to describe that can describe that feeling after you win that championship. Or after we won that big game.”

Winning a ring with a team that he rooted against in his youth while actually growing to love the city and fans is, well, crazy.

Quenton S Albertie

Quenton S Albertie

Quenton Albertie, a native of Ft. Hood, TX, is a credentialed media member with work featured on SLAM Magazine, Sports Illustrated, USA TODAY and other major publications. Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Albertie’s favorite teams are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Broncos.

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