Because the Boston Celtics made their slew of strikes all through the summer time, consideration ping-ponged from participant to participant. Followers wished to see what Kristaps Porzingis might deliver to the desk, how Jaylen Brown’s extension would have an effect on the workforce, and whether or not or not Jrue Vacation might substitute Marcus Good.
Misplaced amidst the insanity was Derrick White, who was recent off one of many extra spectacular playoff runs within the Japanese Convention. Not solely did Celtics followers overlook about him, however ESPN inexplicably left him off their High-100 Gamers listing.
However whereas followers and the media snubbed White, gamers have proven an outpour of respect for the Celtics guard.
“My inspiration has been Derrick White,” mentioned Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell after their preseason recreation in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks. “I need to be Derrick White. He doesn’t get a variety of credit score for what he does. He makes all of the successful performs. That’s who I need to be.”
Russell’s feedback have been paired in headlines with assist from JJ Redick, who went on a rant throughout a spin-off of his podcast, “The Outdated Man & The Three Issues.”
“Of those 150 individuals who declare to be basketball specialists, how is Derrick White not within the High 100?” Redick requested Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones of The Dunker Spot. “How is that potential? He’s a top-50 participant! What playoff video games have been you watching final yr? Oh my god.”
Redick went so far as saying that ESPN’s choice to depart him off the listing was “a troll for engagement.” And if that’s the case, then it labored to perfection.
Celtics followers and basic NBA enjoyers took to Twitter, YouTube feedback, and different social media websites to furiously defend White. However he wasn’t stunned on the obvious disrespect.
“That’s simply sort of how my life has all the time been, so not likely stunned,” White mentioned after the Celtics’ Tuesday shootaround. “It’s what it’s. I don’t actually focus an excessive amount of on it.”
White was by no means a highly-touted prospect. He didn’t obtain any Division I affords popping out of highschool and ended up taking part in for the Division II program on the College of Colorado Colorado Springs, the place he was initially presupposed to red-shirt.
As an alternative, White burst onto the scene, impressed the teaching workers and his teammates, and was among the best gamers on the DII degree. I spoke with White’s buddies, household, and coaches about his journey throughout his spectacular playoff run this previous spring.
Regardless of his latest successes, White nonetheless flies below the radar of most, however he loved listening to the type phrases from Russell and Redick.
“That was cool. I used to be sort of shocked,” White mentioned. “I wakened, and my boy despatched me the D’Angelo Russell quote. However, I imply, particularly should you’re somebody that’s executed a lot, an all-star on this league. It was cool to listen to.
“And I imply JJ – That’s my man. Shout out to him. I don’t actually focus an excessive amount of concerning the High-100 or whatnot, nevertheless it’s good to have that recognition from some nice gamers.”
Requested Derrick White about participant assist for him:
“I don’t actually concentrate on prime 100 that a lot nevertheless it’s cool to have that recognition from some nice gamers.”
D’Angelo Russell not too long ago mentioned he needs to “be like” White and JJ Redick ranted about his exclusion from ESPN’s High 100. pic.twitter.com/eojLONOTel
— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) October 17, 2023
All through his profession, White has chosen to maintain his head down and work at each impediment. Now, he’s slated to be a key piece on a Celtics workforce destined for title rivalry.
“I believe the correct folks discover what I do, and I’m not likely targeted on the folks that do the top-100 or no matter it is perhaps,” White instructed Jay King of The Athletic. “So I simply go on the market and do what I do, play my recreation, and I’m not too targeted on that.”
With a core of Vacation, Porzingis, Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford subsequent to him, White ought to nonetheless be a focus on this Celtics roster. ESPN might not understand his expertise, however his teammates, coaches, and everybody else across the league see it, and that’s all that issues.
