Derrick White delivered one of the most clutch jumpers in recent Boston Celtics postseason history a little more than two months ago, forcing a Game 7 against the Miami Heat. It was the perfect way to top off a fantastic second half of the 2022-23 season for White, who many Celtics fans have grown to like.
Fast forward to the present, and the Colorado native will be the team’s starting point guard in the 2023-24 season, according to head coach Joe Mazzulla.
White met down with ESPN’s Malika Andrews less than a week after Mazzulla’s statement to address a variety of things. Among them was the chance that he will sign a contract extension with the Celtics before to the start of the season. Boston has the ability to bargain with White.
“I love being here in Boston. It would be cool to get an extension,” White told Andrews. “We’ll see what happens during that window, but I’ve loved my time in Boston so far and my focus right now is just on the season.”
White, who’s played in seven playoff series for the Celtics since joining the team in 2022 via trade, explained the importance of winning in a city like Boston.
“I mean, Boston’s a title town. That’s what they expect from us, that’s what they want from us each and every year,” White said. “Obviously we’ve been right there the last couple years and it’s just little things each and every year that gotta do a better job of in the playoffs and it starts from Day 1. We just gotta continue to put together good days and I like our chances next year.”
Derrick White has earned the starting point guard role with the Boston Celtics
Again, White pieced together an impressive back-end to last season. He earned the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award in February, right before the All-Star break. The 29-year-old had ripped off three straight 10+ assist games, including a 27-point 12-assist masterpiece against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 14.
In the playoffs, White took his game to another level. He scored 13.4 points per game, while shooting 50.5% from the field and 4.5.5% from beyond the arc.
The ability of No. 9 to get to the basket and finish is the most encouraging aspect of his game. Last season, White was known for consistently getting to the paint and nailing floaters. His drive consistency will help create more opportunities for his teammates and relieve pressure on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Check out a recent video to the How ‘Bout those Celtics YouTube channel, where CelticsBlog’s Jack Simone and I debate Derrick White’s appointment as the Boston Celtics starting point guard.
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