Derrick White has proven his mettle as a championship-caliber point guard. He’s not the tip of the spear in Boston, but the Celtics frequently rely on White to set up the offense. The defense was always special, but White’s offensive progression puts him in the pantheon of great “role players.” He does a little bit of everything, with a dependable 3-point shot, intent slashing, and smothering defense leading to consistently positive results.
- Chris Kline
FanSided Staff Writer
He’s one of the best guard shot-blockers in the league, which speaks to White’s athleticism and motor. The dude gets after it on every possession, whether that’s sticking at the point of attack or wheeling off of his man to supply a weak-side shot contest. He’s a menace in passing lanes, picking all the right spots to be aggressive without compromising the defensive whole. The list of more impactful guard defenders is awfully short. It might not even exist.
On the other end, White is something of a silent assassin. He gets billed as a complementary piece, but there are plenty of nights when White takes over a game with slick drives and timely buckets. He can get to his spots for mid-range pull-ups and the 3-point sniping is night-and-day better than it was coming into the league. He’s not the most robust or dynamic on-ball generator, but White has a clutch gene and enough tools in his toolbox when the moment demands it. Champs are champs. White really defines that concept; he’s a winning player through and through.