Boston Celtics guard Derrick White is now recognized as arguably the best role player in the NBA.
That’s because he has been a key part of the Celtics lineup in the past few years, including being on the 2023 title-winning team.
However, White was already an excellent player before he was traded to Boston midway through the 2021-22 season.
He recently recalled the playoff game with the San Antonio Spurs, where he proved his ability at the NBA level.
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty ImagesDerrick White knew he ‘made it’ after playoff game with San Antonio Spurs
In the latest episode of his podcast, Derrick White was asked to recall the game that convinced him he had “made it” as an NBA player.
White picked Game 3 of the 2019 Western Conference first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, where he scored 26 points by halftime and 36 in total.
“I feel like this is a tough one because I never really want to think that, but Game 3 of the Nuggets series, where I had 36,” he said.
“That was like, ‘If I’m doing this in the playoffs against my hometown team, I made it.’ But you have those games, and then in Games 4, 5, 6, and 7, I didn’t play well.
“It’s like I didn’t make it. There’s so much room for me to grow and get better. Those are the ups and downs.”
That was White’s career high in the playoffs until he scored 38 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round last year.
Michael Malone was amazed by Derrick White’s performance
Former Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was so impressed by White’s desire to win the game that he said it looked like “he had not eaten” for a while.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Derrick White, the last couple of days, has been reminded about Jamal Murray’s fourth-quarter performance [in Game 2],” White told ESPN.
“Derrick White came out like he hadn’t eaten in two days. He came out hungry. He came out pissed off. And he sent a very loud and clear message.”
White admitted after the game that he had “a chip on his shoulder,” though not for any particular reason.
“I just have a chip on my shoulder,” he explained. “This is the way I would play since I was young. I am just trying to get out there and compete and have fun.”