“Now I Believe I Belong”: Derrick White On Confidence, Consistency, And The Celtics’ Championship Drive

Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics veteran Derrick White is having the best season of his eight-season NBA career.

The versatile White is known for his defensive abilities, notching a selection on the All-Defensive Second Team in each of the past two seasons while finishing eighth in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season.

However, White has emerged as one of the biggest keys to the Celtics’ continued success this season, ranking fourth in the league in 3-pointers made (265) while appearing and starting in 76 games. His 76 games started is the most of any Celtics player, including stars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis.

“Just trying to be more consistent,” says White of his improved 3-point shooting in a one-on-one interview with RG. “I feel like in the past, I’d have a good run, and then I’d be slumping for a while, just that roller coaster. This year I’ve been much more consistent than I have in the past, and just trying to stay consistent with my form, with my release, and all the hard work I’ve been putting in is paying off.”

From San Antonio to Sharpshooter

White was not previously known as a 3-point shooter during his first few years with the San Antonio Spurs. In fact, his career high during his first four seasons was 84 treys during the 2020–21 season.

Since then, White has slowly grown into one of the best 3-point marksmen in the league, which is fitting considering Boston is the best team from beyond the arc. They’ve led the NBA in the category the last two years, with both Payton Pritchard and Tatum ranking in the top seven in treys made this season.

“That’s the fun part about this team, is just how much space we have, and just playing with a bunch of unselfish guys that are willing to make the extra pass,” says White.

“When we’re playing well and we’re spaced, and everybody’s moving, it’s fun to play with, and you get a lot of good looks.”

It’s no coincidence that since head coach Joe Mazzulla took over just before the 2022–23 season, the Celtics have finished no lower than No. 2 in 3-pointers made. During the season prior with Ime Udoka as the head coach in 2021–22, Boston ranked eighth in treys made.

The emphasis on three-pointers — in a league that is now heavily reliant upon it — is one of the biggest reasons why the Celtics have been one of the elite teams over the past few years.

“He just gives us confidence,” says White of Mazzulla. “We’ve all had coaches where they’re like, ‘I don’t know if you want to shoot that.’ Joe always gives us the confidence to take shots. He believes in us, so when your head coach believes in you so much, you just got to let the next one fly, even if you missed the last one. That’s a big thing and he’s just always empowering us to be our best selves.”

Why Tatum and Brown Just Work

A big reason why the Celtics remain elite is the play of their star duo, Tatum and Brown. Tatum is averaging 26.8 points and 8.7 rebounds, while Brown ranks second on the team with 22.2 points per game.

Tatum and Brown are now in the midst of their eighth season together, with the Celtics advancing to at least the conference finals in five of those seven seasons.

“A lot of it is experience,” says White of why Tatum and Brown work so well together. “They’ve played in so many big games, played in so many playoff series together, that they just trust one another. They know what to expect from one another, and they both just want to win. That’s been the most important part — whatever it takes to help a team win, they’re both going to do. They play hard on both sides of the ball and they’re great teammates.”

White details how their different personalities off the court also help them mesh well when they’re on the court together.

“They’re a little different, obviously,” says White. “Tatum’s more laid-back. JB’s a deep thinker, and that’s the cool thing — that they’re a little bit different, but it works.”

Confidence, Consistency, and Championships

The former 29th overall pick in the draft was an unheralded first-rounder who appeared in just 17 games and averaged 3.2 points per game in his rookie year. He’s now blossomed into one of the Celtics’ best players, ranking third on the team in total points scored.

White says although his individual game has improved tremendously, his key objective is team-based — to win more championships.

“Just try to win as many rings as I can, being part of something special, that’s really what I’m focused on,” says White. “Not really focused on too much, on the individual awards and whatnot. Just try to win as many rings as I can, and continue to be part of something special.”