In the register of players whose impact goes well beyond the numbers, Derrick White is one of the most obvious names in the league. But Monday night, in the absence of Jayson Tatum or Jrue Holiday, he signed the first triple-double of his NBA career against Detroit with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
With just over six minutes remaining, Derrick White took advantage of a long-distance shot from Payton Pritchard to validate his 10th pass and give a big smile to the entire TD Garden. “ I think everyone was aware of it » reacted his teammate, who did not hesitate to draw despite the good defense of the Pistons. “ It was pretty easy to look at the screens in the room and see 22-10-9. We had to help him sort this out. »
Derrick White with his first career triple-double pic.twitter.com/G9Pjbtw8Ki
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If he couldn't suppress a little celebration and a gesture of thanks to his leader, the star of the evening assume : getting this first triple-double was not the most natural experience for him.
Not natural to look for the last passes
“ I'm not really the type of player who likes to chase stats. I've come close a lot of times so I was like, 'Come on, I'll try it this time' and I just have to give credit to my partners for that, really. It was weird looking for the last two passes, I didn't like it and I didn't play very well to get there. I hope I never have to do it again » he explains.
Joe Mazzulla probably won't give him a choice anyway. Derrick White explained that his coach only gave him one minute to sign his last caviar, while the former Spurs player had compiled his only three lost balls of the evening in the last quarter. “ This triple-double is an example of who he is as a player, but it doesn't show how exceptional he is on both ends of the court » preferred to note Joe Mazzulla. No wonder then that his guard's best action against the Pistons was… his only block of the match, a superb chasedown block against the board on Malachi Flynn.
“ He does everything » noted Payton Pritchard, who appeared surprised that his teammate had never seen a triple before Monday. “ It is so complete. He rebounds, he blocks, he distributes, and he scores when you need him. He can have a big game in so many different ways. »
It was worth a few glasses of water on the head, a symbol of the Celtics' sincere happiness in seeing Derrick White shine. “ It's complicated not to love him » concludes Kristaps Porzingis. “ This guy is a unique human being, and a unique player. I could honestly compliment D-White for a long time on what he is. Everyone loves him here and it's always nice to see people get recognition on the floor too. »
