Boston Celtics key to victory No. 3) Derrick White
Just hours before the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline reached its conclusion, Brad Stevens and co. made a big move to shake up the roster. In a deal that sent out Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, and a first-round pick, versatile guard Derrick White was returned to the shamrocks.
Since arriving in Boston, White’s shooting has been shaky, but he’s been able to pitch in many positive ways.
The ball zips around the floor when the former Spur is at the helm and his defense continues to impress. White hasn’t been great, but he also hasn’t been poor.
The shamrocks don’t need him to score in bunches each night, but they need more than zero points.
Even with a Game 2 goose egg, White still was a game-high +22. When Derrick White is on the floor, good things happen. If he can add a bit of scoring to the mix when the veteran guard is on the floor, great things will happen.
With Smart likely back in the mix, the Coach Pop product will likely return to the bench.
Boston needs White to hit a few shots off the bench to help propel them to a series lead.