Derrick White explains how hitting a low point against Draymond Green changed his life
The Warriors didn't put much of an emphasis on guarding White in the 2022 Finals. He never forgot about that.
When he was first acquired by the Celtics in 2022, Derrick White did not foresee himself being in position to break the Celtics’ single-season record for most made 3-pointers.
But, he did just that on Monday night against the Grizzlies, knocking down his 247th 3-pointer of the season and surpassing previous record holder Isaiah Thomas.
White’s role has evolved during his time with the Celtics. He came off the bench at first. He eventually emerged, not just as the team’s starting point guard, but as one of the most dependable clutch performers in the league.
He has credited a number of people, including coach Joe Mazzulla, for the transformation of his game.
But, on Monday night, White unexpectedly brought up an opponent who also played a significant role in fueling his rise: Warriors forward Draymond Green.
Back in 2022, when the Celtics played the Warriors in the NBA Finals, White was much less of a potent scoring threat from outside than he is today. He shot 30.6 percent from 3-point range during the regular season. The Warriors decided to gamble by backing off and letting him shoot.
“After the Finals, I feel like that was like the biggest summer of my life,” White said. “Obviously, what happened in the Finals and how I was being guarded on that stage, it was one of my lowest points. I told Draymond after the Olympics that he kind of changed my life because they weren’t guarding me.”
Golden State’s lack of urgency toward guarding him sent a clear message: It was time to get in the gym and improve.
“So, I had to go in that summer,” White said. “Me and my trainer Marcus Mason just focused on being consistent, and I think from that point on I’ve been able to get better and better.”
White has shot 38 percent or better from 3-point range during the regular season ever since. He shot 40.4 percent during last year’s postseason run, which culminated with the Celtics’ NBA-record 18th championship. He hit the go-ahead three that sealed Boston’s Eastern Conference Finals sweep of the Pacers in Game 4.
Losing to Green and Golden State stung, but it ultimately made White and the Celtics better.
“There’s a lot of mutual respect,” White said. “I think he sees the work I put in to change how I play and I’ve always had a lot of respect for him.”
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