After Making His First Career All NBA Defensive Team, It Is Very Cool To See Derrick White Get Recognition He So Rightfully Deserves

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Whether you are someone who thought Derrick White had done enough to secure a 1st Team All Defensive spot, at the end of the day it doesn't really matter. First team, second team, who gives a shit. What matters is that after the best defensive season of his career, Derrick White found his way onto an All NBA Defensive team. I think anyone who watched him this season probably felt like this was more of a question as to which one he would make as opposed to if he would make it at all, and at the end of the day he got the recognition he deserves as well as a nice little $250K bonus

Given that White played in every single game this season (including playoffs), I feel confident in saying this was a well earned nod. It never felt like there was a single game where Derrick took the night off defensively, so it's awesome that he's being rewarded for it.

Not only that, but I just think it's cool that a player like White is getting league wide recognition. He's a player who you NEVER hear complain, you never hear any drama about, a guy who truly does not care what his role is as long as he's helping his team win. I've said it before and I truly believe it.

Derrick White is a tremendous Celtic.

As a player, he embodies pretty much everything we want to see from a Celtic. A true "we not me" player. A guy who works hard and improves in the offseason so he can come back better and help his team win. A guy who takes on whatever matchup is needed in that given moment. We have a large enough sample to know that when Derrick is at his best on both ends, especially defensively, this team is special. I think it's cool to see a guy who goes about his business the right way get rewarded for it.

In terms of his criteria, like I said it's hard to argue that he wasn't deserving.

- White led all guards in blocks this year with 76 (SGA next closest with 65 in 68 games)

- White was pretty close to Caruso in charges drawn (13 vs 15)

- Opponents shot just 44% while being defended by White

- White led all NBA guards with 335 contested 2pt FGA as well as overall contested FGA at 507

Last year, White showed flashes of being elite when it came to contesting shots at the rim. His transition defense was special. This year? He took that defensive leap to now blocking everything in his path, not just plays at the rim

There are some situations where he gives up a few too many AND1s, but whatever. You live with it because of how good White has proven to be over the course of the season. 

Now, I'd like to see this All NBA Defense once again make an appearance tonight. Huge game at home with the season basically on the line, every single win the Celts have in their series against the Sixers they were nails defensively. Show up on that end with strong play from White/Smart/Jaylen/etc and you put yourself in a great position to regain control of the series at 3-2.