As the Celtics were wrapping up the regular season in late March, Grant Williams took to Twitter.
He wanted some recognition for a few of his teammates.
“Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both deserve ALL-NBA. Derrick White is all defense! I’m ready to argue,” Williams tweeted.
The first two names needed little explanation. Some, however, may have been surprised by the inclusion of White, who can be overlooked despite being one of the Celtics’ most important players.
“Some people don’t always give credit to the people who are under the radar,” Williams said. “D-White’s been a guy who’s been consistent throughout the entire season.”
On Tuesday, Williams’ hope came true and White received his deserved recognition. The sixth-year guard was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive second team, his first career individual award and a nod to a side of his play that he takes great pride in.
“Not a lot of people make an All-Defensive team in their career, so I would definitely be thankful and grateful,” White said at Tuesday morning’s shootaround, hours before his selection.
White, in his second year with the Celtics, took a huge leap in his play on both sides of the ball. When Robert Williams underwent knee surgery in the preseason and forced him out to start the season, White assumed the spot in the starting lineup. His performances – especially on the defensive end – kept him there.
On a team that includes standout defenders like Marcus Smart and Robert Williams, White was the most consistent performer on that end, leading the Celtics to the No. 2-ranked defense in the league. White led all NBA guards in blocks with 76 swats and 507 contested shots. He ranked third in the NBA with 10.6 defensive win shares, trailing just Brook Lopez and Evan Mobley, who were both named to the All-Defensive first team.
“I love how he plays consistently,” Grant Williams said. “I look at Derrick and see a guy who doesn’t give up on any play. He saved us in a lot of games by making great plays at the rim.”
White’s defense has taken notice all season with the Celtics, and it doesn’t always show up in the numbers. His transition defense has been impressive all season, and he does all the little things that make life difficult for opponents.
“A lot of times he affects shots just by chasing guys off screens,” Grant Williams said. “He does a great job of trailing guys off pick and roll and make sure they make tough shots over him if they do, and then he does a great job when he’s in the post, he battles. He doesn’t shy away.”
White received 24 first-team votes and 51 second-team votes, making him the top vote-getter on the second team. A year after just trying to find his way in Boston after being traded at the deadline, when he admitted he struggled to find his role, White’s comfort level and confidence was evident all season in his strong play as he played all 82 games.
“He’s done a phenomenal job of being the most consistent guy on this team and this locker room,” Grant Williams said. “Both in terms of energy and also just in terms of his play on the floor. You could argue he’s been our third, if not second best player at times throughout the year. It’s one of those things where you look at this guy who got traded at the deadline and has made a sizable impact every time he steps on to the floor.”
Smart, last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, did not make either All-Defensive team but finished as the top vote-getter among guards who were not selected, with 12 first-team votes and 11 second-team votes. Brown received one first-team vote and two second-team votes.