(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have the most stacked staring lineup in the league, and it’s not even close.
They were already elite with Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown, but GM Brad Stevens really took things up a notch in the offseason.
Adding Kristaps Porzingis to the mix gave them the kind of big man they hadn’t had in a while, someone who could also stretch the floor with his shooting and demand plenty of attention both down low and on the perimeter.
Then, they traded for arguably the best backcourt defender in Jrue Holiday, which only made them even scarier.
However, the guy who benefited the most from these transactions was Derrick White, who’s playing the best basketball of his career and has knocked down some huge shots for Joe Mazzulla’s team.
With that in mind, JJ Redick asked him just how much of an impact Holiday and Porzingis had in unlocking his game this season (Via the Old Man & The Three).
“Both of those guys, just spacing the floor, I feel like Jrue’s been the ultimate teammate,” White said.
.@Dwhite921 talks about how playing with @Jrue_Holiday11 and @kporzee has unlocked his game.
Watch the full episode with @jj_redick and @talter: https://t.co/iaDzuzDL0D pic.twitter.com/gluprXZJUX
— TheOldMan&TheThree (@OldManAndThree) January 5, 2024
White explained that losing Marcus Smart forced him to step up and be more aggressive with the ball in his hands, so he’s just making the most of that opportunity.
On top of that, he gave Holiday a lot of credit for being willing to just stay in the corner and provide some spacing and allow him to make plays, praising him for having that kind of confidence in him despite being a former All-Star.
As for Porzingis, it’s easy to get some clean looks with a big who draws as much defensive attention as him.
White has taken a huge leap forward this season, and while he doesn’t get as much attention as the rest, he could be their X-Factor in the playoffs.
The post Celtics Guard Credits 2 Teammates For ‘Unlocking’ His Game appeared first on The Cold Wire.