Boston Celtics guard Derrick White has been named to the NBA’s All-Defensive second team, an honor for one of Boston’s most important role players. In his first full season with the Celtics, White proved an invaluable contributor on offense and one of the club’s strongest defenders.
The NBA’s All-Defensive first team consisted of the Chicago Bulls’ Alex Caruso, Milwaukee Bucks’ Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez, Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley. Along with White, the All-Defensive second team consisted of the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, Toronto Raptors’ OG Anunoby, Memphis’ Dillon Brooks and Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green.
White joins teammates Al Horford and Marcus Smart in earning All-Defensive honors in the past few years while wearing Celtics green.
Derrick White and Sam Hauser reflected on the mutual love between the Boston Celtics and their fans at a meet and greet over the weekend. https://t.co/mbeZ2lismj
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) March 26, 2023
The former recently summarized just how impressive White’s defense is.
“His instincts, how hard he plays, he’s really working hard out there,” Horford explained. “He’s trying to play the right way. He’s doing the right things, and it’s very clear. I don’t have to oversell it, you just have to look at what it is.”
This is every player in Boston’s history who wore the Celtics’ No. 42 jersey for at least one game as of Sep. 2022. https://t.co/XvfMrs0Qvb
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 9, 2023
Defense can be hard to quantify, especially for a player with a fluid role such as White. Likewise, defensive stats are predominantly team-oriented. Robert Williams III recently joked as such with NBCSports Boston.
“We’re kind of in an argument about who gets what blocks,” said Williams III. “It seems like we’re both on the same play when it’s a blocked shot. I try to let him win a couple of them because he’s my guy but I have got to start taking some away from him.”
Regardless, White’s defensive stats are rather compelling and are confirmed by the eye test. To say he was Boston’s most consistent defensive contributor this year is far from hyperbole.
JJ Reddick on why Boston’s Derrick White is the most underrated role player in the NBA https://t.co/41mPDtRAaR
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 3, 2023
When President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens swapped Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford and a 2022 first-round pick for White, the expectation was Boston had landed a steadying force on offense.
White has always been a solid defender, but that he has emerged as such a key piece on that side of the ball is a spectacular result for the Celtics.
White, who was named to the 2017 Pac-12 All-Defensive team in college, was particularly effective as an individual defender this season.
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— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 9, 2023
At 6-foot-4, he presents good size on the perimeter, but his instincts and athleticism are White’s strong suits. This becomes clear in transition settings, where he has shined.
Earning an All-Defensive second team nod is a worthy recognition for one of the NBA’s best role players, and White joins a long list of Celtics greats to earn such an award.
Boston has benefited from White’s defense this postseason, and he’ll remain a critical piece as the team aims to push deeper into the playoffs.
Good things happen for the Boston Celtics when Derrick White is on the court https://t.co/oksLgjj2vu
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 27, 2023
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