Why Scalabrine thinks White could be even better after Olympic experience originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Derrick White took his game to another level for the Boston Celtics last season, and it’s one of the reasons why won their first NBA championship since 2008.
Brian Scalabrine believes White could go even higher during the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.
Why is that? Scalabrine believes White’s confidence will be sky high after a positive experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Team USA, that included a gold medal triumph. Scalabrine also details what role LeBron James might have had in that as well.
“When I was in college, I had a chance to play at Michael Jordan’s basketball camp and I played with Michael Jordan all week,” Scalabrine said Tuesday on the NBC Sports Boston program. Celtics Postas seen in the video above.
“I was on his team and Michael stamped on me. I was like, you, you’re going to be on my team all week, right? Because I moved the ball, whatever, whatever. I’m going to the NBA, Jason Kidd, he. stamped me. those guys when they stamped you — it’s not like 100 times, right, Garnett (stamped me).
“So for him, Derrick White, from all the rumors we’re hearing LeBron James was like, go get Derrick White. That’s what he wanted to get for the team. And because LeBron ran The Avengers, he was Tony Stark, LeBron got the a guy he wanted.
“I mean, just putting it together. Everything you heard during the offseason before the draft was Bronny James saying I’m going to be the next Derrick Whiteright? So obviously, when it comes down to it and Derrick White goes, that’s what everybody’s thinking.
So that means a lot, I mean, LeBron is — a lot of people say he’s the greatest player. I think he’s the second greatest player, but that’s a big deal, right? So I just feel like (White’s) confidence going into this year, that guy’s confidence.”
This is a really interesting point from Scalabrine. When a player of James’ caliber basically gives you the stamp of approval, that has to be good for your confidence. That’s one way of saying you’ve arrived as an advanced player.
White averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 assists and a career-high 4.2 rebounds per game for the C’s last season. He also shot a career-high 39.1 percent from 3-point range. His defense was also stellar. He finished No. 2 among guards with 1.2 blocks per game and was named to the All-Defensive second team for the second straight year.
White was even better in the playoffs, averaging 16.7 points per game and shooting 40.1 percent from beyond the arc. His 3-pointer at the end of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference Finals punched Boston’s ticket to the NBA Finals.
White got better every year he played with the Celtics. If he can go to an even higher level, that would be huge for the team’s chances successfully defending his title. And it will be especially important early in the season during Kristaps Porzingis is working his way back of injury
