Inside The Celtics

Jaylen Brown Praises All-Star Snub: 'Excelling His Game at a Rapid Pace'

While his All-Star candidacy helped more people become familiar with the impact he's having this season, Jaylen Brown's teammate is generating metrics that will surprise many.

Bobby Krivitsky

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Jaylen Brown made a second-half run at the All-Star Game MVP trophy on Sunday night.

The 2022 All-NBA Second Team selection finished with 36 points, the second most for an Eastern Conference squad that earned a 211-186 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Twenty-four of those came after intermission.

The three-time All-Star also tried his hand at the Slam Dunk Contest, a competition he said he'd never participated in on any level before Saturday.

There was a message and meaning behind each of the 27-year-old's dunks, including when he delivered the night's most poignant moment, honoring Terrence Clarke, who tragically passed away at 19 after a car accident before the Boston, MA, native and former Kentucky Wildcat heard his name called at the NBA Draft.

Earlier in the day, during his media availability, Brown fielded a wide range of questions, including who he thinks is the most underrated player in the Association.

"I think Derrick White has been excelling his game at a rapid pace, so it's been kinda hard for fans to keep up with," stated the seven-year veteran. "But Derrick White can ball, man. You let him get hot (and) he can go for 30 any night. (He) can score the ball, guards, plays both sides. I'mma say Derrick White."

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Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The former Colorado Buffalo is averaging career highs in points (15.6), rebounds (3.9), and blocks (1.2). He's also swiping a steal per contest, matching his personal best. And if you exclude his rookie season, when he made 17 appearances and hoisted less than one three per game, he's taking 6.7 threes and converting them at a career-high 39.7 percent clip. White's also dishing out 4.7 assists.

The six-foot-four guard is one of five players in at least the 93rd percentile in estimated impact on defense and the 88th percentile in estimated offensive impact, per dunksandthrees.com.

The four others are Kawhi Leonard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Furthermore, according to NBA.com, among those who have experienced at least 15 games within five points in the final five minutes, White has the second-highest plus-minus rating in the clutch this season, registering a plus-3.1 rating.

The six-year veteran is also drilling 56 percent of his three-point attempts in crunch time, the fifth-best mark in the league among those taking at least 0.2 per contest in the clutch, per NBA.com.

So, while the chatter around his All-Star candidacy helped more people become aware of just how impactful a season White is having, to Brown's point, his leap is so significant that figures like the metrics above are bound to catch some by surprise.

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Addresses Discourse Around His MVP Candidacy

Jaylen Brown Doesn't Win Dunk Contest but Delivers Most Poignant Moment

Kristaps Porzingis Shares How First Season with Celtics Compares to His Expectations: 'Haven't Stopped Smiling'

Jayson Tatum's Approach vs. Nets Tale of Two Halves and Steadfast Commitment

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Celtics' Motivations for Xavier Tillman Trade

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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