Jrue Holiday remains endearing to Bucks fans, thanking Milwaukee through ad
In advance of Jrue Holiday's return to Milwaukee, this time with the Boston Celtics, the former Bucks guard reminded everyone what made him such a special part of the organization.
Holiday, who will take the floor at Fiserv Forum in a battle between the two top teams in the NBA's Eastern Conference on Thursday night, bought an ad in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, with the heading, "Life is bigger than basketball."
"For as special as our championship was in 2021, and it was one of the most special basketball moments of my life, it was the fans, the teammates and the community in Milwaukee that really felt like home for me and my family," read the message in the ad. "We hope we left Milwaukee in better shape than when we arrived here, both on and off the court, and will forever cherish our friends, teammates and the special memories we created together."
Holiday, who was traded in the offseason as part of the deal that brought Damian Lillard to Milwaukee, was an integral part of Milwaukee's run to the NBA title in 2021. In just three seasons in Milwaukee, he and wife Lauren became an integral part of the community.
They worked to upgrade women's shelters, supported Black and Brown businesses through their JLH Fund and crusaded for social justice causes in Milwaukee. Together, they were honored with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, presented by the ESPYs, for their community service efforts.
Jrue was also recognized twice as the best teammate in the NBA with the Twyman-Stokes Award.
The trade to Portland ultimately led to another move that put Jrue in Boston, where he's part of the Celtics. But it was still a hard transition; Lauren wrote afterward that, "contrary to the cliché, it's personal," after she learned they were leaving Milwaukee.
"Milwaukee — you welcomed me and my family into your city, into your homes, into your hearts," Lauren said then. "We will forever be champions together, and me and my family will forever be grateful and thankful."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ex-Bucks guard Jrue Holiday purchases advertisement thanking Milwaukee
