When Derrick White clamps down on defense, like he did Tuesday night against the Jazz, the Celtics are an elite team
When White is there to aid Jaylen Brown, and when he makes a defensive difference, the Celtics are one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. It’s been an uneven season for White, who shot just 31.6 percent from the 3-point line in the first 19 games.
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He had a stellar December, however, averaging 22.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 blocked shots, with the Celtics going 9-3.
“I think I’ve just got to go out there and help us any way I can,” White said. “And obviously, JB has been carrying us, and then it’s kind of up to guys like me and Payton [Pritchard] and [Anfernee Simons], and guys like that, to kind of help him out. And so I’ve got to be consistent day in and day out, and just got to be just better than that. So, it’s an exciting thing and a challenge that I’ve got to enjoy.”
Coach Joe Mazzulla said White’s defensive responsibilities have increased this season with the team’s various lineups. And with the seven blocks on Tuesday, White is the team leader in that category, as well as steals.
“His role has grown,” Mazzulla said. “[Against Utah] when we went with Derrick, Payton, Anfernee, and Jaylen, he has to guard the other team’s best player. He does a good job of knowing when to come in and not. Just his defensive versatility [helps us].”
Offensively, White can be a force, especially when his midrange jumper is falling. He struggled in the first half against the Jazz, scoring just 5 points. But he continued to attack the paint, and was able to get to the free throw line eight times, and knock down two triples, in the second half.
“I thought he was great just penetrating,” Mazzulla said. “It’s a credit when you look at Jaylen finished with 10 assists. They were blitzing. They were up, and we did a great job of not hanging onto the ball. I thought JB did a great job starting that, and Ant, Payton, and Derrick did a great job just getting it side to side. Our pick-and-roll attack was really balanced and we were able to attack close-outs, and I thought that got Derrick downhill for some easy shots.”
Four of White’s blocked shots came against swingman Lauri Markkanen, and a pair were on jump shots. White has always been lauded for his anticipation, considered one of the game’s top chase-down blockers. But this performance was even a surprise to him.
“Chasing challenges, being around the paint a little bit,” he said when asked why he collected so many blocks. “It kind of surprised me when I looked up there and seen it, but I was in the right place, right time, and I took off and made a play.”
White is never going to talk himself up, and by contrast, this season he has discussed his struggles with confidence. When he hit his first 3-pointer in the third quarter, after missing his first seven, he lifted his arms in relief. He works feverishly on his game, on his shot, so when he falters at times, he’s hard on himself.
But on this night, he did not allow his offensive issues to impact his defensive prowess. He was a ballhawk, keeping the Celtics in the game in the first half with four blocked shots, and then helping them to pull away when his offense arrived. His teammates are in awe of his talent and anticipation.
“It’s impressive, very impressive,” Brown said. “D-White is just like, his timing is unbelievable. He just has great timing. And it’s a skill, and when he gets into a flow like tonight defensively, it’s like an art form, just smacking guys’ shots all around. It was very impressive to watch.“
White makes the Celtics a better defensive team. And perhaps Tuesday will aid his first-team All-Defense campaign, after falling short the last two seasons.
“It’s huge for our team. He’s big for our team making defensive plays,” Brown said. “This game it felt like we just started off the game, we couldn’t get some stops, and once D-White got some blocks and got us rolling, that gave us more momentum on defense and that propelled us to the win. D-White was great.”
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.
