We all know that the NBA is a league full of massive egos. You don’t become one of the world’s best 450 hoopers without a little bit of a “no one can tell me s—-” mentality.
Sure, there are plenty of guys around the Association who are able to put their egos aside in order to give their squads the best chance to compete for a title. It just turns out that Bradley Beal isn’t one of them.
According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, former Phoenix Suns Head Coach Mike Budenholzer had told Beal that he wanted him to be his team’s Jrue Holiday.
“League sources told me, early in the season, coach Budenholzer met with Bradley Beal,” Haynes reported. “And he told Bradley Beal that he wanted him to be the Jrue Holiday of this team.”
Beal was none too pleased.
“It wasn’t well-received,” Haynes continued. “You know the type of player Bradley Beal is. You know how he’s made a name for himself in this league playing his way. And to ask him to shift his game and alter it, and to say Jrue Holiday on top of that, somebody who Coach Budenholzer has won a championship with in Milwaukee, it wasn’t well-received, the way it was explained to me.”
Of course, Beal was the center of a lot of scrutiny in Phoenix this season. His 17 points per game on 49/38 shooting splits don’t exactly make his large contract and no-trade clause worthwhile.
The turmoil between him and Budenholzer was no secret, with Beal being benched for stretches of the campaign. Now, we’re all aware of what ignited the beef.
Bud asked Beal to be a good teammate.
What a shame.
Budenholzer had coached Holiday for three years in Milwaukee during his time with the Bucks, including their 2021 championship run, and clearly understood the impact he had on their sustained success.
Holiday has continued to be a championship pillar in Boston since being traded to the Celtics in the fall of 2023. He’s shown an incredible commitment to winning with his willingness to sacrifice and best fill his role.
In two seasons with the Cs, he’s averaged his lowest number of shot attempts (10.0, 9.2) since his rookie season in 2009-10. Yet, he’s remained a committed defender and has been ready on offense when his number is called.
Holiday played a crucial role in the Celtics’ climb to Banner 18 last spring. His efficient scoring outbursts in the Eastern Conference Finals and in Game 2 of the NBA Finals gave the team a key offensive lift when the lights were bright.
When Holiday was asked of Coach Bud’s request of Beal, he explained that he wasn’t quite sure what he meant by it, but he’s just trying to do what he can to help the team win.
Jrue Holiday on Bradley Beal not responding well when Mike Budenholzer asked him to play more like Holiday:
“I also don’t know what he meant by saying that.”
“Let me just do me and go out here and try to get as many rings as I can.” https://t.co/pcPMDPtgE5 pic.twitter.com/ptobJriazu
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) April 15, 2025
He’s been nothing short of an incredible teammate in Boston and it’s laughable that Beal got his feelings hurt because Budenholzer thought he’d be able to hold a similar role in Phoenix.
I’m thankful every day that the years of Beal to Boston trade rumors remained just that — rumors.
