Jrue Holiday spoke at the 2025 Trail Blazers Media Day about joining Portland after being traded from Boston. He described the moment as “really exciting” and praised the team’s management for providing him a chance to compete for wins.
Holiday wore number five, noting the choice had no personal significance but fit the available options. “There weren’t many options, no real tie to the number five for me,” he said.
The veteran guard emphasized his readiness after a smooth medical clearance. “I’m great. I’m good to go,” Holiday said.
Holiday reflected on his summer working with Scoot Henderson in Los Angeles, praising the young guard’s dedication. “He is a gym rat. You see him working out, asking questions, learning new things, waking up at 5. His dedication to getting better is something I love,” Holiday said.
He highlighted the Blazers’ defensive potential, noting the team’s athleticism and versatility. “We’ve got guys that can pick up full court, play one through five, rim protection with Hansen and Rob Williams, and athletic, defensive-minded players. I think defensively we’ll be really, really good,” Holiday said.
Holiday also spoke about bringing championship experience to the roster and guiding younger players. “I try to bring the mentality of working every day. My expectation is to win games, build a culture, and stay consistent,” he said.
Regarding his role within Portland’s system, Holiday said he can adapt to different offensive responsibilities. “I’ve been the guy and I’ve been a role player. Being the best in my role is very important, and that’s what I’ll teach by example,” he said.
He stressed the importance of fundamentals like rebounding and transition defense. “Rebounding is huge, limiting paint touches, getting steals, and using our athleticism in transition will be an advantage for us,” Holiday said.
Holiday also shared his thoughts on Yang Hansen, praising the young center’s skill set and maturity. “He’s very skilled, very smart, can shoot and pass, and he’s open to learning. Off the court, he’s hilarious and enjoys life, which is great for chemistry,” Holiday said.
The veteran guard concluded by reaffirming his commitment despite being 35. “I still got it. I can defend, I can score, and building something here, creating a winning culture, is very important to me,” he said.
