The Boston Celtics came out on the other side of their first-round playoff series with a 104-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Derrick White helped lead them, averaging 18 points per game in a season where he’s only played 10 games due to injury. The rookie is at an interesting crossroad in his career: A fun story coming off the bench that aligns perfectly with what head coach Brad Stevens wants and has been successful with, or being comfortable enough to be part of an elite starting lineup?
Derrick White is a professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics. He has had some growing pains with his team, but he has overcome them and is now playing well.
At the NBA trade deadline, the Boston Celtics were rather quiet. The emphasis was on reducing payroll and better positioning themselves for the future. The Celtics battled through the first 50 games of the season, finishing with a 25-25 record. Were they looking for a buyer or a seller?
They began to deviate from it as the deadline approached. With six wins in a row, he has reached the 500 milestone. They had no idea how hot it would become. Brad Stevens brought in two players in his first year as president of basketball operations, experienced guard Derrick White and big Daniel Theis, and sent away seven.
Theis was re-signed by Boston for a second time. White was acquired from the San Antonio Spurs in a trade. Both have made major contributions, but White is finally overcoming his Celtics’ early growing pains.
The acquisitions of Derrick White and Daniel Theis to the Boston Celtics have been significant.
On March 23, 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts, Derrick White of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Daniel Theis #27 during the first half of an NBA game against the Utah Jazz at the TD Garden. | Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images
Boston’s effort at the deadline wasn’t very impressive. It helped shorten the rotation by bringing in a handful of reserves. White and Theis have made greater contributions than most people imagined.
Since starting center Robert Williams went down with a knee injury, Theis has been thrust into the spotlight. In Williams’ absence, he’s shown to be a great asset. He’s started three games with the Celtics and averages 16.9 minutes per game. Theis played 41 minutes and produced 13 points and 10 rebounds in a 115-112 overtime defeat to the Toronto Raptors, in which the Celtics were without four starters.
White has started three of Boston’s 23 games and is averaging 10.8 points and 3.6 assists in 27.5 minutes per game. He’s had trouble with long-range shooting, hitting on just 28.6% of his three-point attempts.
On the defensive side of the ball, White has made a difference. He’s the Marcus Smart of the second unit. He’s helped the Celtics improve their defense, making them one of the best in the NBA in that department.
White and Theis were unheralded additions to Boston’s roster, but they’ve played a key part in the team’s turnaround, which has them at 49-30 with three games remaining in the regular season.
Derrick White is getting used to his new surroundings.
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When Theis returned to Boston for the deadline, he knew what to expect. He spent the first four years of his NBA career with the Celtics.
White progressed from a modest market in San Antonio to one of Boston’s largest. He was well aware that he had a role to play. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were the stars, he knew. As White joined the Celtics, they were just starting to find their stride. On offense, his duty was to keep the ball moving and keep the momentum going.
According to Mass Live, White said, “It’s simply enjoyable to play that way.” “Everyone is participating and touching it, and everyone is moving, chopping, and doing things like that.” It’s been a lot of fun simply being here, and JT and JB are definitely attracting a lot of attention. But for the rest of us, it’s simply a matter of getting the ball and attacking straight away, rather than waiting and making the proper move.”
White’s shooting is improving, and he’s starting to feel more at ease.
“It’s new, just in the midst of the year,” White said. “It’s something they’ve previously done and performed well together.” “However, I now feel very at ease.” I know where I’m meant to be on the field, where the coaching staff wants me to be, and how to work with my teammates. So I’m in a nice mood.”
The Celtics and White are gearing up for their second season.
The regular season comes to a finish on Sunday. The second season then starts. Boston has risen through the Eastern Conference rankings to become the No. 2 seed. The Celtics have three games left, all of which will be played on the road.
White and the Celtics have set themselves up for a home-and-home first-round matchup. It’s a vast cry from three months ago, when the playoffs were anything from a certain conclusion.
He isn’t thinking about it right now. He believes he still has three regular-season games to establish his stride and become more comfortable.
“Just trying to find my rhythm, becoming more and more comfortable with the team each game, and just knowing what the overall strategy and big vision are,” White said. “Each game is a chance to improve, get more used to it, and become more at ease.” So that’s my interpretation.”
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