Scalabrine: Derrick White may very well be even higher after his Olympic expertise
Derrick White took his recreation to a different degree for the Boston Celtics final season, and he is one of many causes they gained their first NBA championship since 2008.
Brian Scalabrine believes White may rise even larger within the upcoming 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Why? Scalabrine believes White’s confidence shall be sky-high after a optimistic expertise on the 2024 Paris Olympics with Group USA, which included profitable a gold medal. Scalabrine additionally particulars the position LeBron James may have performed in that have.
“After I was in faculty, I had the prospect to play at Michael Jordan’s basketball camp and I performed with Michael Jordan for the entire week,” Scalabrine stated Tuesday on NBC Sports activities Boston. Celtics tackle the put up workplace present, as seen within the video above.
“I used to be on his workforce and Michael scored me. He was like, ‘Yo, you’re on my workforce all week,’ as a result of I used to be transferring the ball, no matter. I’m going to the NBA, Jason Kidd, he scored me. These guys, once they rating on you, your confidence — it’s not like, ‘Oh, it doubled.’ It’s like multiplied by 100, proper? After I received to Boston, (Kevin) Garnett (scored me). That form of stuff counts.
“So for Derrick White, from all of the rumors we’ve heard, LeBron James stated, ‘Go get Derrick White.’ That’s who he wished for (Group USA). And since LeBron was working the Avengers, he was Tony Stark, LeBron received the man he wished.
“I imply, you simply put it collectively. All you heard within the offseason earlier than the draft was Bronny James saying, ‘I’m about to be the following Derrick White,’ proper? So clearly, when Derrick White goes (to Group USA), that’s what all people thinks. So, which means so much… I simply really feel like for (White’s) confidence going into this 12 months, the man’s received some good religion.”
That is a really fascinating level from Scalabrine. When a participant of James’ caliber provides you his approval, it have to be good on your confidence. It is a method of realizing that you have arrived as a prime participant.
Final season, White averaged 15.4 factors, 5.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds per recreation for the C’s. He additionally shot a career-high 39.1 % from the sector. His protection was additionally glorious. He completed second amongst guards with 1.2 blocks per recreation and was named to the All-Defensive Second Group for the second straight 12 months.
White was even higher within the playoffs, averaging 16.7 factors per recreation and capturing 40.1 % from three-point vary. His three-pointer late in Recreation 4 of the Jap Convention Finals helped Boston guide a spot within the NBA Finals.
White has improved yearly since he performed with the Celtics. If he can attain an excellent larger degree, it could be large for the workforce’s probabilities of efficiently defending its title. And it is going to be particularly essential early within the season, as Kristaps Porzingis recovers from damage.
