Earlier than the video games tip-offed on Thursday, Derrick White was tenth in All-Star Sport fan voting with 120,706. It’s a modest displaying for one of many league’s finest glue guys.
After which there’s Jimmy Butler and Anthony Edwards, an getting older famous person who has requested his workforce for a commerce and the stuck-in-neutral phenom struggling to search out his means. Butler doubled up White in votes (257,901) and Edwards had over 3 times as many (411,749).
However on an evening when White far outshined his counterparts with 26 factors, two blocks, and a dagger 3 (5-of-10 from behind the arc) to shut out Edwards and the Timberwolves, his efficiency is simply one other reminder that no matter nationwide recognition and star energy, a participant’s match and function on a workforce on this league imply all the pieces.
“Simply remind him of his greatness,” Joe Mazzulla mentioned relating to his recommendation to the slumping two-way guard. “He has the power to impression the sport in several methods. I simply thought he was nice tonight — clearly, the shotmaking — however actually, his getting us into our offense, ensuring the beginning of the second and the fourth go the best way it ought to go, and defensively, his means to protect completely different guys.”
Celtics followers already know this about DWhite. The workforce acknowledges his greatness, too. It’s an enormous cause why the entrance workplace locked him as much as a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension earlier than he may even hit free company subsequent summer time.
Nevertheless, it’s made simply clearer on this second day of the brand new yr simply how fortunate Boston is to have him.
In Miami, it appears as if all of the tradition and low on this planet couldn’t preserve Jimmy Butler completely happy. After a demoralizing 128-115 loss at residence, Jimmy set his future with the Warmth on fireplace, saying, “I need to see me again my pleasure again from taking part in basketball. Wherever that could be, we’ll discover out fairly quickly right here. I’m completely happy right here … off the court docket.”
It was later reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst that Butler has met with Pat Riley and possession in try to fix fences, however these talks went nowhere. And now, with out a record of most well-liked locations, he’ll welcome a commerce anyplace.
Edwards’ case is a bit more curious. After a Western Convention Finals run final yr, the workforce dealt Karl-Anthony Cities to the Knicks (the place he’s thriving), clearly signaling that this was Ant’s workforce. The Timberwolves have responded with a 17-16 document. Extra so, it seems like Minnesota’s famous person is coping with his personal rising pains.
“I’m solely 23. I don’t need be passing the ball all evening. You’re feeling me?…I’m wired to attain the ball,” Edwards mentioned after the Celtics held him to 5-of-16 taking pictures. He later talked about being pissed off with the fixed double teaming. “It’s not enjoyable. I don’t need it to appear to be I’m not making an attempt or nearly as good as I’m.”
Jayson Tatum on Derrick White, who completed with 26 factors:
“Derrick is so essential to our workforce. I feel the remainder of the league, and the remainder of the world understands his worth, how proficient he’s, and the way a lot he contributes to us… We’re very lucky.”
@NBCSCeltics pic.twitter.com/oQsF6qRZwN
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) January 3, 2025
And once more, there’s Derrick White who sits behind the Wizards’ Jordan Poole within the minds of the followers. The coaches (and gamers) may need a distinct perspective.
“He’s simply huge time due to his means to impression the sport, whether or not he’s closely closely concerned within the offense or not,” Mazzulla reiterated. “Derrick is simply that sort of man that can provide the sport what it wants at any time.”
