Celtics guard Derrick White has loved great success since arriving in Boston earlier than the NBA commerce deadline in 2022, and after winning his first championship last month, he is already wanting ahead to defending that title throughout the upcoming season.
White has already reached the NBA Finals twice, received one championship, and been chosen to the All-Defensive second group twice in his temporary Celtics tenure.
The 2023-24 group was distinctive, although. Not solely did they win the franchise’s record-setting 18th title, the vibes and chemistry of the group have been improbable. It made taking part in additional enjoyable.
“It was a whole lot of enjoyable, a whole lot of laughs, a whole lot of jokes, simply everyone getting alongside,” White instructed Chris Forsberg on NBC Sports activities Boston’s Celtics Speak Podcast.
“I really feel like we did not have any points at any level, after which on the courtroom, you possibly can see how effectively we performed and simply how unselfish it was each time and everyone simply wished the following individual to succeed. And so anytime you are on a group like that it is particular, I am simply wanting ahead to getting again. I do know this season simply ended, however I am wanting ahead to a different journey.”
🔊 Celtics Speak: Derrick White on his contract extension, bringing again core group and that viral Celtics hat | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube
White will likely be in Boston long run after signing a four-year, $125.9 million extension with the Celtics final week. The deal begins within the 2025-26 marketing campaign. The extension got here collectively fairly rapidly, and White is grateful for that.
“Like I stated the entire time — I liked it in Boston and I used to be hopeful and I am very grateful that all of it occurred fairly rapidly and I haven’t got to reply questions on all of it (subsequent) season,” White stated. “It was fairly straightforward. I simply wished to be there they usually wished me there. So it labored out.”
Not solely did White signal an extension, so did Jayson Tatum. The C’s famous person signed the richest contract in league history — a five-year supermax deal value $315 million.
When you have a look at the 11 gamers who performed essentially the most minutes per sport for the Celtics final season, all 11 are coming again for the title protection. It is uncommon to see a group win a championship and produce again their prime 10 or 11 gamers.
However clearly the Celtics know they’ve an important group that works effectively collectively on and off the courtroom. When you can preserve that going one other 12 months, it is positively value doing.
“It is thrilling,” White stated when requested about a lot of the group coming again. “I feel everyone is aware of simply how a lot we obtained alongside and simply loved taking part in with one another. So I feel it is simply going to be a whole lot of enjoyable.”
Additionally on this episode:
- Derrick Talks about his viral Celtics hat second
- The place Derrick White would take the Larry O’Brien Trophy if he had it for a day
- Derrick particulars ‘particular’ expertise bringing Dad to Fenway Park and championship parade
- 1-on-1 with Payton Pritchard at Group USA follow in Las Vegas
- Interplay with Jayson Tatum at Group USA follow
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