Derrick White of the Celtics responds to being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
Derrick White and the Boston Celtics have enjoyed an exceptionally strong start to the 2023-24 NBA season, boasting the best record in the league by a significant margin. They are well on their way to securing home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs, having already clinched it for the Eastern Conference bracket. White’s pivotal role on the team became glaringly evident during Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, where the Celtics collapsed in his absence, surrendering a 30-point lead and resorting to isolation-heavy offence despite lacking the personnel for such a style.
White’s outstanding contributions were recognised when he was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, joining Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, who received the honour for the Western Conference.
In typical Derrick White fashion, the humble San Antonio Spur expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that he believed his Celtics teammate, Payton Pritchard, deserved the award more than he did.
“It’s pretty cool. I’m just thankful to be a part of this team. I felt like us being 4-0 when I was playing was a big reason for it, so just thankful,” said White, as reported by Celtics on CLNS on X. “…Honestly I thought Payton should have won the award, but you just get more opportunity, more chance to be more aggressive… just being aggressive and trying to make plays to help us win.”
A vital asset for the Celtics, White seamlessly fills any gaps left by star players Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis. Acquired from the Spurs during the 2022 NBA trade deadline, White has emerged as one of the premier shot-blocking guards in NBA history while significantly enhancing his offensive repertoire. His elite three-point shooting and play-making abilities have earned him praise, with some in the Boston media even launching a fringe All-Star campaign in his honour.
White also brings stability to the Celtics’ offence alongside Jrue Holiday, particularly in clutch situations where Tatum and Brown’s ball-handling abilities may falter under tight defence.
As the regular season draws to a close, the Celtics aim to maintain their momentum before embarking on the postseason in April, where they are poised to enter as the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
