Why Jrue Holiday Feels Opponents ‘Disrespect’ Derrick White At Times
White still can’t shake off the underrated label
When it comes to matching up defensively with the Boston Celtics, it’s truly a pick-your-poison type of situation.
There’s the obvious one-two punch of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who’ve combined to average over 49 points per game this season.
Then there’s the roster-polishing newcomers in Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.
That’s four veteran All-Stars making up one of the NBA’s most lethal lineups.
But they alone aren’t responsible for the Eastern Conference-best 15-5 start from the Celtics thus far.
Left underrated in Boston’s elite starting bunch is the man of efficiency — on both ends of the floor — in Derrick White.
“I think usually, somebody that’s guarding me is one of the better defenders and then they put not the best defender on D. White, which I’m kind of like, ‘That’s a little bit of disrespect to D.
White,’ cause he can go, he can play, he’s been playing well,” Holiday told reporters at Friday’s Celtics shootaround, per CLNS Media video.
“He gets downhill, he gets to the free-throw line, he can shoot the three. I understand it. This game is about mismatches and getting advantages.
Sure, Tatum and Brown can’t be given any sort of leeway, nor would it be wise to hand over any advantage to Porzingis or Holiday, but White’s also in that boat.
He’s averaging 14.5 points per game while leading Boston in the assists category (5.3) and shooting 38.9% from beyond the arc — second to team leader Sam Hauser (45.2%).
White has constantly proven capable of making the correct and unselfish play, that at times, goes underappreciated.
On the other end, White’s been no slouch either.
Coming off the best defensive year of his career last season, the 2023 NBA All-Defensive Second Team guard is back to giving opponents issues at the rim.
White’s averaged 0.8 blocks a night, ranking third among all point guards in the NBA.
Regardless of how opposing teams choose to perceive White when meeting the Celtics on the floor, there’s reassurance that both White’s teammates and head coach Joe Mazzulla know what he’s capable of.
And considering White has quickly established a dominant backcourt alongside Holiday, that trust will remain in place for the long run this season in Boston.
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One Player From Every NBA Team Who Could Be Traded Until The February Deadline
As the NBA trade deadline looms on the horizon, teams across the league are gearing up for potential roster changes to enhance their competitiveness and strategic outlook.
Among the myriad of players whose names are circulating in trade rumors, a select group stands out as the most wanted players before the deadline.
These players, each bringing a unique skill set and potential impact, have become the focal points of trade discussions as teams aim to fortify their rosters for the latter part of the season.
From established veterans to emerging talents, the next wave of transactions is anticipated to reshape the league’s landscape.
In the current NBA season, De’Andre Hunter has been a key presence for the Atlanta Hawks, contributing with an average of 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
However, amidst the offensive shift towards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, the spotlight on Hunter’s development has dimmed.
The team has predominantly relied on the pick-and-roll dynamics between Young and Clint Capela, sidelining Hunter’s anticipated prominence in the offensive scheme.
Despite his solid contributions, Hunter’s role within the Hawks has evolved differently than initially expected.
With the offensive focus primarily on other key players, the potential for Hunter to thrive in a more prominent role on another team becomes a consideration.
The Hawks might explore trade options to bolster other areas of the roster or seek a better fit for Hunter’s skill set, allowing him to realize his full potential in a different environment.
Throughout the current NBA season, Payton Pritchard has played a role for the Boston Celtics, averaging 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
However, Pritchard has expressed dissatisfaction with his playing time and role on the team in the past, reportedly indicating a desire to be traded.
Despite signing a contract extension, the opportunities he hoped for haven’t materialized in the new season, leaving him potentially underutilized within the Celtics’ system.
Pritchard’s discontent with his role has lingered for a considerable time, and with a new season providing little change in his opportunities, a trade could be in the best interest of both the player and the team.
The Celtics, looking to make strategic moves in the market, might utilize Pritchard as a trade asset to address other areas of the roster or acquire players that better align with the team’s current objectives.
Ben Simmons’ stint with the Brooklyn Nets has been limited, having played only a few games before succumbing to a back injury.
In those appearances, he demonstrated glimpses of his well-known skills, averaging 10.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 6.5 points per game.
However, his impact on the court has been hindered by the injury, preventing a comprehensive evaluation of his fit within the Nets’ system.
Despite Simmons’ injury setbacks, his potential trade candidacy arises from the fact that the Brooklyn Nets, not considered favorites for the postseason, might entertain offers for the versatile player.
Simmons’ unique skill set, including his defensive prowess and playmaking abilities, could entice a team looking to strengthen its roster for a playoff push.
Terry Rozier has been a shining beacon of positivity in an otherwise challenging season for the Charlotte Hornets.
As one of the standout performers, Rozier has showcased his scoring prowess, averaging an impressive 22.8 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game.
His veteran presence and ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game have made him a key asset for the Hornets, even as the team navigates through a rebuilding phase.
Despite Rozier’s stellar individual performance, the Hornets’ ongoing reconstruction may prompt them to consider trading the veteran guard.
Rozier’s scoring abilities make him an attractive asset for playoff contenders seeking an impactful scorer off the bench.
Zach LaVine has maintained his scoring prowess for the Chicago Bulls in the current NBA season, contributing an average of 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
However, amidst the team’s impending reconstruction phase, rumors have surfaced suggesting that LaVine is among the first pieces to be moved this season.
Recent reports from insiders indicate that his trade value might be lower than initially anticipated, adding an intriguing element to potential trade discussions.
As the Chicago Bulls prepare to embark on a rebuilding process, the decision to explore trade options for Zach LaVine stems from the team’s strategic shift toward the future.
The perception that LaVine’s trade value is lower than expected could create opportunities for other teams looking to acquire an elite scorer at a potentially more favorable cost.
The Detroit Pistons could be a dark horse in the race for Zach LaVine, as the team needs desperately more talent to add to the mix.
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