Derrick White top-5 stat proves he’s the NBA’s most unique defender

By now, most fans recognize that Derrick White is the best shot-blocking guard in the NBA, and maybe of this generation. He has an uncanny knack for being in the right spot, anticipating shot attempts, and timing his jumps to perfection while angling his body in a way that lets him block or deter shots without fouling.

It’s incredible to watch, and to see him erase shots like an elite center at just 6’4” is basically a cheat code for the Celtics’ defense. And when we think of shot blocking, we generally think of rim protection. Derrick has been an excellent rim protector, especially for his size, but his blocks go far past just the rim.

Derrick finished 13th in the entire league last season with 99 blocked shots, which was far and away the most by any non-center or power forward. But incredibly, of those shots, 64 of them were non-rim blocks, which was fourth best in the NBA. Only Victor Wembanyama, Donovan Clingan, Rudy Gobert, and Jay Huff had more than Derrick, and those are true centers and some of the best shot blockers of this era, and four of the top five total blocked shots leaders.

What White is doing defensively as a primary or secondary ballhandler on offense is nothing short of amazing. He had more on his plate than ever last season, and while everyone points to his poor shooting season, he had an all-time season on the defensive end, finishing sixth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Derrick White primed for huge bounce-back season

The Celtics have another elite rim protector in Neemias Queta, who finished just ahead of D-White with 100 total blocks last season, and they added another one in Mitchell Robinson. White should have to focus even less on getting back to the rim and should be able to emphasize his ability to clog passing lanes, erase jump shots, and cause chaos away from the ball.

His offensive burden should also be significantly reduced with a healthy Jayson Tatum, an elevated Payton Pritchard, and the addition of Paul George. His role on offense should be back to where it was before last season, a role that he thrived in and had become extremely comfortable with.

It’s hard to look past poor shooting numbers, and I get that shooting is obviously a huge part of the game, but people need to realize that outside of that, Derrick was great last year. This season, he should be right back in his comfort zone and should be able to emphasize his strengths even more without swimming in the deep end on offense so much. He’ll be able to pick his spots as a creator and take shots that are in his wheelhouse.

That should allow him to be even more of a menace on the defensive end. Pair that with the chaotic young wings who are all going to play more, and the Queta/Robinson pairing protecting the paint, and the Celtics have the potential to be really special on defense this season.

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