Inside The Celtics

[Film Room] Derrick White's Assertiveness Leads to 26 Points, MVP Chants as Celtics Take 2-0 Lead

Joe Mazzulla on Derrick White: "I think now he has a clear identity."

Bobby Krivitsky

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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With 4:25 left in the Celtics' 119-106 Game 2 win over the Hawks, Derrick White stepped to the free-throw line with Boston leading 109-97. As he did, a serenade of "MVP" chants echoed throughout TD Garden.

White earned it with a 26-point performance in which he was stellar at both ends of the floor, including matching Al Horford for a game-high three blocks, a testament to excellent on and off-ball defense.

At the offensive end, the former Colorado Buffalo scored utilizing a multitude of methods featuring a common theme, assertion.

White produced a game-high 18 points in the paint, relentlessly attacking downhill, whether on or off the ball.

In the play below, the paint's clogged when he catches the ball. White has multiple options, including trying to launch a three over John Collins and dribbling over to deliver an entry pass to Jayson Tatum in the low post.

Instead, he opts for aggression. White sells an up-fake to Collins, who closes his hips, giving the veteran guard a path to the paint, which occurs as Trae Young's leaving and Robert Williams is pulling Onyeka Okongwu from the rim. Bogdan Bogdanovic's swipe comes up empty, and Collins tries to do so too early. White then displays a soft touch as he goes off two feet and capitalizes on a clean look from in close.

There was also this nifty reverse layup, completing a play worthy of a Tommy Point.

White also manufactured points with his off-ball movement, most notably, cutting backdoor for a layup when he caught Young ball-watching.

His assertiveness doesn't just apply to attacking downhill, either. Just like in the regular season, White's not hesitating to let it fly, confidently stepping into shots on and off the dribble. The Colorado native is averaging six three-point attempts through the Celtics' first two playoff games and converting them at a 50 percent clip.

When White arrived at the trade deadline last season, he had to learn everything from new teammates to another playbook and a different city, all while he and his wife were preparing to welcome their first child. Then came the intense, energy-draining, time-consuming run to the NBA Finals, coinciding with him becoming a father.

Now, that whirlwind's behind him. He's more settled on and off the court, something he and the Celtics are benefitting from exponentially.

In the regular season, White registered the second-highest plus-minus rating on the team (6.0) and second-highest net rating (11), per NBA.com.

Before Game 2, Joe Mazzulla said of White, "I think he’s just more confident, more comfortable...I think now he has a clear identity."

White then went out and reinforced that statement, as he has throughout the campaign. The defending Eastern Conference champions need him to continue playing that way and stay assertive if they're to win the one round this year they didn't last postseason. Just ask Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Further Reading

What the Celtics Say They're Focused on as Series Moves to Atlanta

Celtics Discuss Derrick White Stepping Up in Game 2 Win: 'We Need Him to Continue to Play at this Level'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Hawks in Game 2: Swarming Defense and 64 Paint Points Propels Boston to 2-0 Lead

The Celtics Give Their Evaluation of Battle on the Boards in Game 1 Win vs. Hawks

The Celtics Discuss Their Game 1 Win vs. the Hawks: 'We Can't Take Our Foot Off the Gas'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 1 Win vs. Hawks: Championship-Caliber Defense Propels Hosts in Series Opener

Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens Discuss How the Celtics' Head Coach Has Grown in His First Year at the Helm: 'He's Been a Great Strength for Us'

Jayson Tatum is Ready for the Challenges that Await the Celtics in the Playoffs: 'We've Not Been Waiting for it But Working for it'

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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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