Derrick White recently launched his own podcast, "White Noise." The Boston Celtics guard co-hosts the show with his best friend and former teammate at Colorado State, Alex Welsh.
On their inaugural episode, White bid farewell to now former teammate Jrue Holiday. The two both earned All-Defensive team selections while sharing the backcourt. Their two-way efforts were crucial to Boston breaking through to raise Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters.
"When you win a championship with anybody, you have that special bond that will never be broken," he noted.
White also discussed Holiday's impact on his career.
"Jrue kind of allowed me to be me; allowed me to step into my own and do what I do when he could've easily, and I would've let him, if he was like, 'I need the ball, I need to do this,'" said White.
"He's an All-Star, he's an All-Defensive [player], this is Jrue Holiday, everybody knows this. And so for him to be ok being in the dunker [spot], letting me be the point guard, or whatever it might be. I just learned so much from him, and it was unbelievable to be his teammate. Loved having him here."
Derrick White captures how the Celtics feel about Jrue Holiday
The Celtics didn't want to trade Jrue Holiday. The organization loves him. However, after spending the last two seasons over the second apron, they had to get below that threshold.
Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear made it that much more challenging to justify retaining the 35-year-old guard. However, what Boston lost when the franchise traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers was an integral part of a title team.
He was a locker room leader. His even-keeled nature on the court was a calming presence. That was most valuable during pressure-packed playoff moments.
Two prime examples were while trailing twice in the late stages of their Eastern Conference Finals road tilts against the Indiana Pacers. Holiday was at the center of turning those into victories that completed the sweep and sent the Celtics to the NBA Finals.
The three-time Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year also made a significant impact in the community. In Holiday's final season in Boston, he was the NBA's 2024-25 Social Justice Champion. He also won the Sportsmanship Award for the second time in his career.
"Great guy, great family," expressed White. "Obviously, I spent a lot of time with him in the Olympics, and that summer was a lot of fun, being close with him and his family. We'll definitely miss him. You can't really replace a Jrue Holiday."