After signing his four-year, $135 million extension again in April, Jrue Vacation alluded to Joe Mazzulla’s teaching method and the way it has impacted his recreation. Vacation stated, “Joe has positively grown my recreation, grown my imaginative and prescient and perspective on basketball.”
We are able to all agree we witnessed an ideal season from Jrue Vacation. However what units it aside from his requirements in Milwaukee? Let’s dive deep into the numbers to raised perceive how Jrue Vacation’s position has modified for the higher.
Discovering steadiness
Jrue Vacation has typically been considered as a sensible participant with nice influence. Nonetheless, I’ve all the time discovered his shot choice questionable — particularly his three-point capturing. Throughout his final season in Milwaukee, Jrue averaged over 4 pull-up threes per recreation, one of many highest volumes within the league. Then again, his catch-and-shoot quantity was half that.
Though Jrue was fairly good on pull-up threes, catch-and-shoot threes are sometimes extra environment friendly and steady. We regularly hear that Jrue’s capturing struggles within the playoffs, which is usually resulting from variance and unreliable shot choice. Nevertheless, this yr, Jrue Vacation shot very properly within the postseason. Was it luck? Did Jrue grow to be a greater shooter? Or did he change his shot choice?
For the primary two months, Jrue Vacation’s pull-up three quantity decreased however remained larger than his catch-and-shoot quantity. Then, beginning in January, Jrue started taking extra catch-and-shoot threes than pull-ups and by no means appeared again.
Because of this adjustment, Jrue grew to become the sniper the Celtics wanted, altering the narrative round his capturing within the playoffs. These metrics reveal how Jrue Vacation has developed his method to three-point capturing.
From an above-average creator to an elite connector
Jrue Vacation taking extra catch-and-shoot threes means he’s now not the first creator. He has grow to be a participant who thrives on benefits already created by his teammates — a participant who maintains these benefits and optimizes them. A connector. That’s what the numbers present us.
Per Cleansing the Glass, Jrue Vacation was assisted on 30% of his area objectives throughout his final season in Milwaukee. Final yr with Boston, that jumped to 58%! Jrue used to create two-thirds of his buckets; now, he creates a bit greater than one-third of them. This aligns with the sooner stats on pull-up versus catch-and-shoot threes. One other nice statistical indicator of this evolution is monitoring his touches.
Wie see a major shift: Jrue Vacation has moved from creator to connector. Enjoying the identical variety of minutes, Jrue drastically modified his relationship with the ball. First, he touched it much less, which may very well be defined by Boston’s star energy. However what’s extra telling is how he used it. The monitoring exhibits us that Jrue held the ball for shorter intervals, dribbled much less, shot much less, however stored the offense alive together with his passing.
In an offense populated by elite creators and finishers, Jrue Vacation helped join the items, producing among the finest offenses within the historical past of the sport. Jrue sacrificed what made him an All-Star within the media’s eyes to grow to be one of many league’s finest (if not the very best) connectors. Expertise can take many varieties and have numerous impacts. For the nice of the group, Jrue optimized his expertise in a extra restricted position however with large influence.
At what price?
Final season, the Celtics wouldn’t have received with out Jrue. Nevertheless, even the very best connector on the earth doesn’t convey as a lot worth as an ideal creator. The difficulty is, Jrue Vacation will probably be kinda paid like one. Together with his new contract, Jrue will signify round 20% of the league’s cap house over the subsequent 4 seasons.
Sure, that is lower than Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who will each account for 35% of the cap. However at 35 years outdated in 2025-26, Jrue Vacation will earn $32.4 million — greater than Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis. Will it’s price it? Solely time will inform, however managing these contracts will probably be difficult sooner or later.
As soon as once more, we’ll should belief Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla to make miracles and optimize the roster. They’ve finished it earlier than, however will they be capable to do it once more?
