Almost two weeks ago, it seemed like Villanova champion Mikal Bridges and a collection of other Phoenix Suns players and staff with connections to the Sixers were going to be NBA champions.
However, it turns out, the Milwaukee Bucks' Jrue Holiday was the only one with a 76ers connection who got to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2021. Holiday was the Sixers' 2009 first-round pick. He played four seasons in Philadelphia before then-general manager Sam Hinkie unceremoniously traded him to New Orleans on Draft Night 2013 for now-former Sixer Nerlens Noel.
Some consider that the first move of "The Process."
Holiday and the Bucks erased a 2-0 series deficit, won four in a row, and captured the franchise's first NBA title in 50 years.
After seven seasons with the Pelicans, Holiday was traded to the Bucks. He won a title with them in year one.
Holiday averaged 16.7 points and 9.3 assists during the NBA Finals, including 27 points in pivotal Game 5 — highlighted by his strip of the Suns' Devin Booker, leading to an alley-oop with Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP.
Holiday earned not just the NBA title but a hefty payday, as well. The victory triggered a $1 million bonus in his contract, according to a report from ESPN's Bobby Marks. That deal, signed prior to the season, was for four years and $134.9 million.
That bonus bumps Milwaukee into the luxury tax, according to Marks, an extra bill the title-winners likely won't have much issue with.
After Milwaukee took down the Suns 4-2 in Game 6 to win the franchise's first title in 50 years, Holiday was asked on the court how he was able to fit in with his new team so quickly.
"They embraced me. ... They told me what the deal was from the beginning," Holiday said. "I've seen all the work that they put in, how close they've gotten, and they believed in me, honestly."
Holiday, long credited as one of the NBA's top defenders at the guard position, averaged 17.7 points and 6.1 rebounds throughout the season. And his playmaking went on display throughout the playoff run.
"Coming here was obviously the greatest thing of my career," Holiday said.