Derrick White talks C’s defense, Bobby Dalbec friendship and more
Derrick White #DerrickWhite
Celtics
Derrick White talks C’s defense, Bobby Dalbec friendship and more
Derrick White has helped the Boston Celtics boast the best defensive in the NBA since joining the team at this year’s trade deadline.
The C’s are 20-6 since acquiring White from the San Antonio Spurs with a 109.8 defensive rating. That success has carried into the postseason as they’re up 2-0 in their first-round series vs. the Brooklyn Nets.
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On a new episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast, White joined Chris Forsberg to chat about what it’s been like joining Boston’s second unit, his longtime friendship with Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec, and much more.
Celtics Talk: Derrick White on Celtics’ defense, bench contributions with team up 2-0 over the Nets | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube
“I just wanted to come in here and not mess things up,” White told Forsberg. “I knew that defensively they were obviously number one in the league, so just come in and figure out what makes them so successful. It took a little bit of getting used to, but I’m getting comfortable now and just gotta guard and make it tough for the other team.”
White also discussed the importance of his role with the C’s second unit.
“That’s huge for us,” he said. “We come in there, we know we need to make an impact on the game. Obviously, Payton (Pritchard) was incredible in the second half last night. I mean, he’s been making shots all year. So whenever I’m out there I’m trying to find him, and Grant’s doing what he does defensively, rebounding and offensively. So we understand what we need to do and we go out there and try to do it.”
It’s well-documented that White’s father is a huge Boston Red Sox fan, but that isn’t White’s only Red Sox connection. He grew up with Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec in Colorado.
“That’s my guy,” White said. “He was a year underneath me at Legend (High School) and we played on the same basketball team, I was on the summer baseball team with him, so we just go way back and it’s pretty cool. Two kids from a little town in Park, Colorado with the Boston teams. It’s good to see him, to get his jersey, and I’m always cheering for him.”
Also discussed in the episode: What about the Celtics has impressed you the most in this Brooklyn series? What do you make of Kyrie Irving’s praise of the Celtics organization after Game 2? How big of an advantage is it having Ime Udoka over Steve Nash? And what was the atmosphere like at TD Garden through the first two games?
Check out the latest episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast on the NBC Sports Boston Podcast Network or watch it on YouTube below.