Jrue Holiday’s path from Trail Blazers to Celtics was short but worthwhile

PORTLAND, Ore. — Jrue Holiday barely spent any time as an official member of the Portland Trail Blazers organization.

He never put on their jersey. He never appeared in a game or even practiced for the team. Before Portland, which had acquired him in September from the Milwaukee Bucks, dealt him to the Boston Celtics four days later, Holiday didn’t even have enough time to binge a television show, never mind to fully digest the ramifications of his stunning trade from the place where he won a championship.

But as he lined up the next steps for his career during a whirlwind stretch for him and his family near the end of this past offseason, Holiday did have enough time for a meaningful conversation with Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups.

Before the Celtics blasted the Blazers 121-99 on Monday night, Holiday said he admired how Billups handled the situation by prioritizing the…