“I’m not afraid of getting dunked on it, and that’s part of it.” here's how Derrick White sums up his way of playing, and he takes this decisive counter in Game 2 as an example. Certainly, he is helped by Jaylen Brown, but it was he who spoiled PJ Washington while the Mavericks had the possibility of returning to a possession, one minute from the end.
A perfect complement to Jrue Holiday at the back, Derrick White learned his skills at Spurs, under the guidance of Gregg Popovich. There, he was made to understand that effectiveness was always greater than spectacular. But sometimes, the spectacular was born from efficiency, and even from simplicity.
“That's what's really cool about basketball… You want to dunk, and do things like that, but there are a lot of little things that work. The simple gesture is always the right gesture. “It's something I stole from Gregg Popovich, and it's great for my career.” tells Boston back.
The best blocker in the NBA among guards
This simplicity in the game, but also in the attitude, makes him one of the most complete backs. This season, the former Spurs player has stats of 15.2 points at 46% success rate including 40% at 3-points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. He's the best blocker among the point guards and guards, and only Scottie Barnes does better than him among the wingers! However, he is only 1m92 tall.
“His ability to feel the game in many different areas, and to bring what the team needs, is truly unique” summarizes Payton Pritchard. For Derrick White, it's all about self-confidence. He admits that it took him time to integrate into the Celtics team. Quite simply because he had to cut the cord with Spurs, where he felt so good.
“Being constantly helpful to the team to win gives you confidence,” explains Derrick White, who could land a nice contract extension this summer. “When I came here, I felt like I was just part of the team. Today I have become one of the major players. »
| Derrick White | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | SAN | 17 | 8 | 48.5 | 61.5 | 70.0 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 3.2 |
| 2018-19 | SAN | 67 | 26 | 47.9 | 33.8 | 77.2 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 9.9 |
| 2019-20 | SAN | 68 | 25 | 45.8 | 36.6 | 85.3 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 11.3 |
| 2020-21 | SAN | 36 | 30 | 41.1 | 34.6 | 85.1 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 15.4 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 75 | 29 | 42.1 | 31.2 | 86.4 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.9 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 13.2 |
| 2021-22 * | SAN | 49 | 30 | 42.6 | 31.4 | 86.9 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 14.4 |
| 2021-22 * | BOS | 26 | 27 | 40.9 | 30.6 | 85.3 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 11.0 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 82 | 28 | 46.2 | 38.1 | 87.5 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 12.4 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 73 | 33 | 46.1 | 39.6 | 90.1 | 0.7 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 15.2 |
| Total | 418 | 28 | 45.0 | 36.3 | 85.4 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 12.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
