NBA Playoffs 2012: Why Jrue Holiday Is Philadelphia's X-Factor in Game 7

The 76ers are truly a basketball team.

They have no stars, although there are young, emerging stars. They have no selfish players who starve for the ball and whine if they don't get it. There's really nobody who doesn't hustle, either.

And that's why the 76ers have succeeded in the playoffs.

However, at the Boston Garden in Game 7, Philadelphia will definitely need some big individual performances to upset the mighty Celtics, and one of the guys needing to step up is Jrue Holiday.

Holiday did his part in Game 6, scoring 20 points and dishing out six assists. He was able to penetrate and either finish with a floater or pass the ball out for a jumper, and that type of play will greatly benefit Philadelphia in Game 7.

Especially away from home.

Evan Turner and Andre Iguodala have been doing their part on defense by contesting shots and patrolling the perimeter, and Holiday has done his job by limiting Rajon Rondo.

In Game 5, Rondo got to the middle almost at will. He was penetrating and either passing or finishing with a layup. The crowd was into it, and the Celtics went on a huge run to put away the 76ers.

Holiday will have to prevent that in Game 7, and the way to do that is by hustling and frustrating Rondo.

When Derrick Rose played in Game 1 of the 76ers-Bulls series, Holiday was tired because he guarded Rose for the whole game, but in Game 2, he was full of energy because he was guarding C.J Watson.

If Turner guarded Rondo for short periods of time, it would give Holiday a much-needed break and the ability for him to be the energetic guard he was in Game 6. Celtics shooting guard Avery Bradley won't play, so Holiday's task will be easier.

What Holiday needs to do is use a lot of energy guarding Rondo and blocking off the middle, which could frustrate the Celtics guard. If it did, Holiday's defensive job would be much easier, and the 76ers would be able to run fastbreaks and get to the middle at will against Rondo.

Or, Philadelphia could just do what they normally do; contest shots, fight for rebounds and loose balls and create good shooting opportunities.

As long as Holiday can frustrate the C's early and take an early lead, they'll have a lot of energy left in the tank to run fastbreaks and penetrate. 

It's all up to Holiday to run the team properly, penetrate and block the middle. If he doesn't do it, the 76ers will be going home.

But when he does, the 76ers will be going to the Eastern Conference finals.