Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick White on Celtics Giving Him Confidence: ‘Credit to Those Guys'
Jimmy Butler got loose on a breakaway, Derrick White sprinted back. Butler thought he had another easy dunk as White rejected his two-handed jam at the rim for the second time on the night. He displayed multiple emphatic blocks as he usually does as the league's best shot-blocking guard last season.
That highlighted White's home opener entering his second full season as a Celtic, now in a lead guard role. He was on fire as he scored 14 in the fourth finishing with 28 points, three blocks, three assists, six rebounds, on 9-15 from the field and 5-7 from three.
Many would argue White may have became the third best Celtic last season. The team was vocal about wanting him to be more comfortable and get to his regular self offensively as that basically came about. He had an incredible postseason, and a big reason to why the Celtics almost made history last May in the Eastern Conference Finals.
White talked about what it is like now having the green light following his heat-check of a fourth quarter. The 29-year-old's pull-up, momentum-swinging three off the dribble with confidence to give Boston a 96-90 lead with over nine minutes to go leading to a timeout was a great example.
"Credit to those guys, just giving me confidence and trusting me that I'm gonna try to make the right play each and every time," White said. "I mean, hearing it from some of the top guys in the league that they want me to be aggressive, it obviously gives you more confidence."
He expressed more about how Joe Mazzulla has given him the utmost confidence as well.
"Joe's given me confidence since the moment he stepped into the head coaching position," White said. "So, all of those combined and I just gotta go out there and be aggressive."
White's play and production could rise rapidly this season as one of Boston's lead weapons still, even with the new stars. His improvements on both ends have shown tremendously since he's been a Celtic, especially as his comfort as grown.
While the team likely has the best top-six lineup, there may not be a better role player in the league than White. There could be plenty more nights ahead where he plays like the best player on the floor.
