00:00 Drew Holliday's NBA career is gradually coming to an end.
00:04 A series of recent happenings around the All-Star Defender has left the whole NBA community
00:09 in awe, wondering what might become of arguably one of the best players of this generation.
00:15 Join us in this video to find out why Drew Holliday's NBA career is over.
00:21 Drew's Recent Trade Holliday's whirlwind journey in the NBA has
00:25 taken another unexpected turn as he dons a Boston Celtics jersey, just days after being
00:30 traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.
00:33 The Celtics have made a bold move by acquiring the veteran guard, instantly adding a formidable
00:37 defensive presence and an efficient playmaker to their roster.
00:42 This blockbuster deal sees the Celtics parting ways with Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon,
00:47 along with valuable draft assets.
00:50 Boston is sending Golden State's 2024 first round pick and an unprotected 2029 first round
00:56 pick to Portland, significantly bolstering the Trail Blazers' future prospects.
01:01 Holliday's arrival in Boston intensifies the already fierce rivalry with the Milwaukee
01:06 Bucks, further fueling the fire of Eastern Conference battles.
01:10 The 33-year-old guard is renowned as one of the premier on-ball defenders of his generation,
01:15 and his offensive game has continued to evolve over his three seasons with the Bucks.
01:21 Holliday showcased his shooting prowess by hitting an impressive 39.5% of his three-pointers
01:26 on 5.3 attempts per game.
01:29 With two All-Star selections and three All-Defensive First Team nods to his name, Holliday brings
01:34 a wealth of experience and talent to the Celtics.
01:37 In Boston, Holliday steps into the role previously held by Marcus Smart, who was traded for Christoph
01:43 Porzingis earlier in the offseason.
01:46 The Celtics are banking on Holliday's versatility and leadership to propel them to new heights
01:50 in the Eastern Conference, setting the stage for thrilling showdowns against their rivals.
01:56 This unexpected trade has reshaped the landscape of the NBA once again, leaving fans eagerly
02:01 anticipating the upcoming season.
02:04 Drew Holliday's success with the Bucks
02:07 Holliday left an indelible mark on the Milwaukee Bucks both on and off the court.
02:12 At the age of 33, he bid farewell to the city that had embraced him for three remarkable
02:17 seasons, and in doing so, he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for years
02:22 to come.
02:23 Holliday's journey with the Bucks began in November of 2020, when he was traded to
02:27 the team.
02:28 Little did anyone know at the time that this move would prove pivotal in securing the 2021
02:34 NBA Championship for Milwaukee.
02:37 During his tenure with the Bucks, Holliday averaged an impressive 18.5 points per game
02:41 and 6.8 assists per game, solidifying his place as a key contributor to the team's
02:47 success.
02:48 Holliday's departure, however, was a bittersweet moment for Bucks fans.
02:52 One day after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a story suggesting that he wanted
02:56 to finish his career in Milwaukee, the unexpected news broke.
03:00 Drew Holliday was on the move, traded to the Portland Trailblazers as part of a deal that
03:04 brought star point guard Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.
03:08 The trade essentially swapped elite defense for prolific offense, setting the stage for
03:12 the Bucks to be a favorite in the Eastern Conference.
03:15 While the trade undoubtedly bolstered the Bucks' championship aspirations, it could
03:19 erase the emotional weight of losing Holliday, who had played a pivotal role in the team's
03:23 NBA title win and had become a beloved figure both on and off the court.
03:28 Holliday's arrival in Milwaukee was nothing short of sensational.
03:32 The trade that brought him to the city included George Hill, Eric Bledsoe, and a handful of
03:36 first-round picks, making it a blockbuster deal in every sense.
03:41 It was a move that signified the Bucks' unwavering commitment to pursuing a championship
03:45 even if it came at a high cost.
03:47 And it didn't take long for the impact of this acquisition to resonate with the team's
03:51 star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had signed a Supermax extension just one month
03:57 after Holliday joined the squad.
03:59 In 2021, Holliday continued to solidify his commitment to Milwaukee by signing an extension
04:04 with the team, reaffirming his dedication to the city and its passionate fan base.
04:10 Drew's time in Milwaukee may have been relatively brief, but it was filled with unforgettable
04:14 moments both on and off the court.
04:17 So let's take a look at some of his on-court remarkable moments with the Milwaukee Bucks.
04:21 A Steel That Will Live Forever One unforgettable chapter came in the 2021
04:26 NBA Finals, a series brimming with iconic moments.
04:29 Amidst the tension, Drew Holliday's steal against the Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker stood
04:33 out as a pivotal play.
04:35 With the Bucks leading 120-119 in Game 5 in Phoenix, Booker drove toward the basket.
04:40 In a heart-pounding moment, Holliday stripped the ball away, dashed down the court, and
04:44 orchestrated a jaw-dropping alley-oop to Giannis Antetokounmpo, securing a 123-119 victory.
04:51 This play not only shifted the series in favor of the Bucks, but also paved the way for their
04:55 championship-clinching Game 6 win in Milwaukee, ending a 50-year title drought.
05:01 Holliday's heroics didn't stop there.
05:03 In the 2022 postseason, he produced another unforgettable moment during the Eastern Conference
05:08 Semifinals against the Boston Celtics.
05:11 With the series tied at 2-2, Holliday's steal at midcourt thwarted a crucial Boston
05:15 possession, propelling the Bucks to a 110-107 victory.
05:19 Celtics Marcus Smart found himself airborne, creating a meme-worthy moment that had fans
05:24 buzzing.
05:25 Just moments earlier, Holliday had showcased his defensive prowess with a block on Smart
05:29 and a crafty play to retain possession for the Bucks.
05:34 Scoring 51 points in a game.
05:36 Well-known for his defensive prowess, Holliday also showcased his scoring abilities.
05:40 In a game against the Indiana Pacers in March 2023, he erupted for a career-high 51 points,
05:46 igniting a 149-136 victory.
05:49 The standout performance highlighted his multifaceted contributions to the team, complementing the
05:54 dominant presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who notched a triple-double in the same game.
06:00 Finally making the All-Star team.
06:03 After a decade of dedication and stellar play, Drew Holliday entered a spot on the 2023 All-Star
06:08 team, marking his second career All-Star appearance.
06:11 While he wasn't the initial pick during the captain's All-Star draft, the honor went
06:15 to Damian Lillard.
06:17 Holliday's inclusion was well-deserved.
06:19 He also displayed his versatility during the All-Star weekend by participating in the Skills
06:23 Challenge stepping in for the injured Giannis, solidifying his status as a respected and
06:27 influential figure in the league.
06:30 Holliday's journey with the Milwaukee Bucks has been defined by clutch plays, mesmerizing
06:34 moments and a relentless pursuit of excellence, ultimately culminating in the team's long-awaited
06:39 championship glory.
06:41 Drew Holliday hoped to retire with the Bucks.
06:44 Milwaukee Bucks fans were dealt a huge blow with Drew's departure because he had said
06:47 he wanted to end his career with the Bucks and the fans had fallen in love with him.
06:52 The talented guard has expressed his heartfelt desire to retire as a Buck and remain loyal
06:56 to the team that he believes can achieve greatness.
06:59 In a recent interview with Jim Ozarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Drew Holliday
07:04 left no room for doubt about his commitment to the Bucks.
07:07 "Would love to," he exclaimed when asked about finishing his career in Milwaukee.
07:11 "Before I even won here, I think I said I'm a Buck for life.
07:15 And I mean that deep in my heart.
07:16 I don't want to play for any other team.
07:18 I think we have a chance to continue to do great things as the Bucks team and organization,
07:23 so I want to be in Milwaukee."
07:24 Holliday's sentiments are not mere words.
07:27 They are proof of his unwavering loyalty to the Bucks.
07:30 He wants to be part of the team's ongoing success and contribute to their quest for
07:34 greatness.
07:35 But let's rewind a bit.
07:36 There was a moment when fans were left wondering about Drew Holliday's future in basketball.
07:41 In May of 2022, during an appearance on the Point Forward podcast with fellow NBA stars
07:45 Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner, Holliday had hinted at the possibility of retirement when
07:50 his current contract expires after the 2024-2025 season.
07:55 However he is here to set the record straight.
07:57 "My answer is no, I am not retiring," he firmly declared.
08:02 This declaration should come as music to the ears of Bucks faithful.
08:05 Holliday still has plenty of basketball left in him and he is determined to make the most
08:08 of it while wearing the Milwaukee uniform.
08:11 Speaking of contracts, Holliday was locked in with the Bucks for at least one more season
08:15 with a player option for 2024-2025 that is worth a hefty $37.4 million.
08:22 However the uncertainty that had surrounded the Bucks' future revolves around another
08:26 crucial player, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
08:29 Antetokounmpo the Greek freak himself is committed to playing for the Bucks this season.
08:33 Yet when it comes to signing an extension, he remains cautious.
08:37 In an interview with Tanya Ganguly of the New York Times, Giannis expressed his desire
08:41 for everyone in the organization to be on the same page, chasing a championship and
08:45 willing to make sacrifices.
08:47 The real question he noted would come next summer.
08:50 The Bucks understandably want to secure their star's future, but if they fail to meet Giannis'
08:54 expectations, it is not farfetched to think that this season could be his last with the
08:58 team.
08:59 While they are not obligated to trade him, if he doesn't extend his contract, the risk
09:03 of him leaving for nothing after the 2024-2025 season would be a harsh blow to the franchise.
09:10 The importance of Giannis to the Bucks cannot be overstated.
09:13 As long as he's in Milwaukee, players like Drew Holliday, Brooke Lopez, and Chris Middleton
09:18 hold immense value.
09:19 This trio along with Giannis form the core that led the Bucks to an NBA championship
09:24 in the 2020-2021 season.
09:27 Holliday's individual contributions have also not gone unnoticed.
09:30 He earned his second All-Star selection last season and showcases skills with averages
09:34 of 19.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 5 rebounds per game in 67 appearances.
09:40 His commitment to the team's success and his desire to be part of Milwaukee's future
09:44 bode well for the Bucks and their dedicated fanbase.
09:48 But all that is in the past now as the star defender has just been traded.
09:52 The question is, will Holliday's career end now as he never wanted to play for another
09:55 team other than the Bucks?
09:57 Will he intentionally quit basketball or will his performance drop?
10:01 What do you think?
10:03 Let us hear what you think down in the comments section below.
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