Derrick White: Why Is It Good For Future That Celtics Supporting Him?
After enjoying the finest month of his NBA career, Derrick White was sitting on the bench in San Antonio on Sunday night as the Boston backups easily defeated the club that had selected him. Suddenly, the fans began yelling, “White’s an All-Star.”
Now, the guy being praised with chants that imply he belongs among the best in his field is the one Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said earlier in the day needed to be pumped up to prove he belonged in the NBA when he was originally chosen.
Yes, there were undoubtedly 50% Celtics supporters in the audience. It was only a moment, though. The All-Star proclamation wasn’t even its most exciting feature.
No, witnessing White’s present colleagues enjoy themselves was the best part. Al Horford and Jaylen Brown, an All-Star duo, were seated next to White on the bench and were happily clapping along with the chant. Jrue Holiday, White’s backcourt partner, excitedly bobbed in time with the chant behind him. Later, he interrupted White’s walkoff interview to recite the refrain.
When a group of people can celebrate each other’s individual accomplishments, it’s really healthy. With so much skill on display, the Celtics are pushing for all five members of their starting lineup to be selected for the All-Star game this season. It isn’t taking place. However, it seems apparent that the Celtics would really like to see Derrick White receive his day in the limelight if the organization is going to send a couple guys there.
The Boston Celtics are generating a lot of positive energy as 2024 approaches. Yes, there is a certain happiness that comes with victory. However, witnessing the Celtics celebrate White appears to be a strong indication that everyone is moving in the same direction.
These Celtics take satisfaction in the limelight falling on a player who seemed to try his hardest to avoid it, rather than everyone being engrossed in their own accomplishments.
Fanfare is deserved by White. He still has the most ridiculous on/off splits. With 945 minutes of floor time from White, Boston is outscoring opponents by 15 points per 100 possessions. All players in the NBA who play more than 24 minutes a game have the best net rating at that point. Nikola Jokic, Tyrese Maxey, Kristaps Porzingis, Joel Embiid, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the guys right behind him on that list. In addition, during his 611 minutes on the bench, Boston’s net rating plummets to a team-worst +3.0.
Derrick White scored 20.8 points per game on 50/40/90 splits over the course of 14 games in December. He had a 50.8 percent field goal percentage, 43.5 percent 3-point percentage, and a 95.3 percent free-throw percentage. He finished each game with 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
Before the polls even opened a few weeks ago, White’s All-Star candidature started to get attention. Now, there seems to be a genuine movement to acknowledge a guy who is unquestionably making an impact on the top basketball team and look past his modest stat line.
When they cast their votes for All-Star reserves at the end of the month, will the other coaches in the Eastern Conference rejoice over that? They really should learn a few things from the San Antonio group.
In Boston, there’s no novelty in celebrating White. On Sunday, the whole Celtics bench threw themselves to the ground in celebration after White rose for a dunk following a steal by Jaylen Brown. What can’t this man do? Was evident from the expressions on their faces.
The Celtics will probably need to extend their campaign for a few more weeks in order to get White to Indianapolis. Brad Stevens, who was born in Indiana, may need to call a few of his former coaching colleagues to let them know how the team feels about White’s contribution to the club’s success this season.
The scenario in San Antonio on Sunday night is encouraging for the Celtics going ahead, even if White is forced to miss the trip to the exhibition in February. Boston has fielded strong teams in the past, but the chemistry wasn’t always the best (take the 2019 season as an example). Though the Celtics have the skill to match, vibes alone won’t win a team a championship.
From his development as a player to his Game 6 tip-in against the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, to the birth of his second kid, White had an incredible 2023.
It’s possible that things will improve even more in 2024. A vote of confidence from all stars? An attempt at a title? An attractive contract extension?
This was unimaginable five years ago for most people in San Antonio. However, everyone concerned should be proud of White’s sudden rise to fame.
