Derrick White has never made an All-Star Game, but calling him a role player doesn’t adequately capture his value to the Celtics. Some nights, the game calls for him to take on a smaller role. But others, like Wednesday against the Knicks, he’s asked to be a star.
By most definitions, the term “role player” refers to someone that has a clear set of responsibilities, and is counted on to fulfill them. They aren’t expected to go above and beyond that role, but just excel at what you do and be there to make life easier for the team’s best players.
“Connector” or “amplifier” are titles that get tossed around to explain players of his caliber in a more thoughtful way. White is exceptionally good at filling in the cracks of a lineup, and supporting the stars. He can also flip a game on its head with elite shotmaking both on and off the ball. Derrick is more like a shapeshifter — a basketball chameleon — in his ability to adapt.
If 23 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists are the conference semifinal averages for someone filling their role, maybe everyone is a role player. That doesn’t even take into account White’s skill as a team and individual defender, where he is at the very top of the league at his position.
He may not fit the traditional idea of a star, considering the big scoring explosions aren’t a nightly occurrence. Any time that Boston needs him to step up though, he’s always ready for that moment.
His scalability on offense is special. White has no problem sliding anywhere from the 1st to 5th scoring option depending on who he’s sharing the court with. You almost couldn’t ask for a more unselfish player, who also feels confident enough to understand when it’s his time to shine.
White gave the Magic 30 in the playoff opener, and helped save Boston’s season with a game-high 34 against the Knicks. Everything in between has been as consistent as any third option in the league.
With Jayson Tatum’s injury and a 3-1 deficit looming over the team, White was dominant and lit New York up from behind the three-point line. He also had 11 free-throw attempts, the second most of his career.
There was a time—particularly in his first year with the Celtics—where Derrick was hesitant and deferential, occasionally to a fault. Those days are long gone, and it’s infinitely more likely to see him launch up a contested heat check, then pass up an open shot. He can be depended on as little or as often as necessary, and he’s developed a keen sense of what each moment requires.
Derrick won’t be a star by name until the league votes him as one — he has graduated the role-player classification though. He’s a fringe star, a White Dwarf, if you will.
