{"id":105793,"date":"2024-11-08T11:44:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T16:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=105793"},"modified":"2024-11-08T11:44:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T16:44:46","slug":"derrick-white-celtics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/08\/derrick-white-celtics\/","title":{"rendered":"Derrick White is Elevating His Play Once Again"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since being traded to the Boston Celtics<\/a> in 2022, Derrick White<\/a> has been a vital part of the team’s success. His all-around skill set as a three-point shooter, elite defender, and secondary playmaker has been infinitely valuable. Last season, White<\/a> had a career year averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds on 39.6 percent shooting from three. With early season injuries to Kristaps Porzingis<\/a> and Jaylen Brown<\/a>, White\u2019s game is reaching new heights, and he is having another career season. Let\u2019s dive into White\u2019s incredible start of the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Derrick White is Elevating His Play Once Again<\/h2>\n

An All-Around Offensive Threat\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Nine games into the season, White is averaging 19.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. His 19.8 points per game is a career-high by 4.4 points. It\u2019s rare to see a 30-year-old having a career season like this. Perhaps the most obvious piece of White\u2019s impact has been his elite shooting. Since joining the Celtics, White has transformed from a slightly above-average shooter to an elite three-point threat. This season, White has reached a new level as a shooter, averaging a career-high 9.6 three-point attempts while shooting a highly efficient 41.9 percent from beyond the arc. Notably, White\u2019s 9.6 three-point attempts per game rank seventh<\/a> in the league and he ranks fifth<\/a>\u00a0for total made threes.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s extremely impressive that White has improved his efficiency while increasing his volume. White\u2019s ability as a spot-up shooter is central to the Celtics’ offensive identity and success. He gives the Celtics<\/a> a dependable option on drive-and-kick plays from both Jayson Tatum<\/a> and Brown. Impressively, White is shooting<\/a> 49.1 percent on catch-and-shoot threes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

White\u2019s playmaking has also been a crucial part of his impact. He is averaging four assists compared to just 1.2 turnovers and is posting an assist percentage<\/a> of 18. Having a high-IQ playmaker and efficient decision-maker helps the Celtics offense flow, giving them an extra sense of stability. The advanced stats back up White\u2019s impact: with him on the court, the Celtics have an absurd 125.5<\/a> offensive rating and net rating<\/a> of 17; he has an offensive net difference of +19.8 while having an overall net difference of +18. White also ranks in the 96th<\/a> percentile for estimated offensive plus\/minus and the 87th percentile of overall EPM.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Most players don\u2019t get more efficient with more volume<\/p>\n

Derrick White<\/p>\n

2024-2025<\/p>\n

9.6 3PA – 7th
\n41.9%<\/p>\n

2023-2024<\/p>\n

6.8 3PA – 35th
\n39.6%<\/p>\n

\u2014 Brian Barrett (@itsbrianbarrett) November 8, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n