Derrick White credits unlikely source for changing the course of his career
Nearly four years have passed since the Boston Celtics acquired Derrick White at the trade deadline, a move that has aged about as well as possible. White is now a foundational piece in Boston, a two-way force whose contract and impact make him essentially untouchable.
That was not always the case.
Early in his Celtics tenure, White’s role was still taking shape. His defense was consistently strong, but his three-point shooting lagged behind what fans see today. Even so, White helped Boston reach the 2022 NBA Finals just months after arriving.
It was during that series that a moment occurred which quietly altered the trajectory of his career.
A Comment That Sparked a Transformation
After Game 1 of the Finals, White drilled six three-pointers in a Celtics win over the Golden State Warriors. Shortly afterward, Draymond Green addressed that performance on his podcast, brushing it aside as something that would not decide the series.
White took that personally.
On a recent episode of his White Noise Podcast, White explained how that remark reshaped his mindset.
He understood exactly what Green meant. While the outburst looked impressive, it did not change how Golden State defended him. That realization pushed White into the gym with a singular goal. He wanted to become a shooter teams could no longer ignore.
If opponents left him open, he wanted them to pay every time.
White described that moment as a turning point. Earlier in his career, defenses could live with him shooting. Now, they cannot.
The Numbers Tell the Same Story
At the time of Green’s comment, the criticism was fair. White shot just 30.6 percent from three in his first 26 regular-season games with Boston. During that playoff run, he was only marginally better at 31.3 percent.
What followed was a dramatic transformation.
The next season, White raised his three-point accuracy to 38.1 percent. He followed that with 39.6 percent, then 38.4 percent in 2024-25. The improvement was not a one-year blip. It became the new standard.
For Celtics fans, White has turned into one of the most trustworthy shooters on the roster. When he steps into an open look, there is real confidence that it is going in.
Why Celtics Fans Should Not Be Concerned
White’s efficiency has dipped at times this season, but his track record suggests there is little reason for long-term concern. His mechanics, confidence, and shot selection are all the product of years of deliberate refinement.
What began as an offhand comment from an opposing star ended up reshaping White’s approach to the game. It turned a respected defender into a complete two-way guard and a championship-level contributor.
Sometimes, the most important career moments are not highlights. They are wake-up calls.
