Derrick White: True All-Star Contender or Over-Hyped?
Photo by Michael Dwyer
With the NBA All-Star game on the horizon, it is that time of year again for voting and Most Valuable Player (MVP) discussions.
Now it is no secret that the Celtics have been powering through opponents, and with every single starter receiving votes for the All-Star game in the Eastern Conference, it is evident that the team is doing something correct. But when breaking down the starting lineup, and focusing on Derrick White, some have begun to list the guard in the over-hyped category. Now, the question arises, do these claims have some substance?
So far, White has received almost 400 thousand votes (399,120) to be a contender for the All-Star match. With a 47.2 field goal percentage, 40.5 three-point percentage, and a 90.0 free-throw percentage, White is currently having the best season of his career and is on track to blow his previous personal bests out of the water.
Not only have his shooting numbers improved, but with his 4.0 rebounds per game, 5.0 assists per game, and 1.2 blocks per game as a guard, he plays a prominent part in the Celtics' success.
White also sits in the top 10 in the league in +/- rating with +343 over the course of the season
Forget all star... Derrick white is the MVP https://t.co/G4wQ9ktqoD
— DerrickWhiteFan (@DWhiteFanOnReal) January 11, 2024
So why is he receiving hate? The numbers do not lie.
When taking away the numbers, and watching Whiteβs game, there is never a play where he gives up.
Derrick Whiteβs hands, reflexes and instincts are among the best in the NBA.
— Pull up shoot ξ¨ (@NElGHT_) January 5, 2024
With so many to choose from, whatβs your favorite DWhite rejection? pic.twitter.com/5xgkIzl1Br
White also sits as one of the projected favorites for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, with a defensive rating of 112.4.
Now, when taking a step back and considering both offensive power and defensive hustle, the question stands: do his stats and hustle debunk the haters?
