Eye-Popping Stat Shows Derrick White’s Increased Role For The Celtics
With Jayson Tatum out of the Boston Celtics’ rotation due to an Achilles tendon injury, Derrick White has stepped into a bigger ball-handling role to begin the season. The 31-year-old guard leads the team in touches per game (81) by a significant margin. Payton Pritchard (68.3) and Jaylen Brown (64) are second and third, respectively.
White’s increased load has led to some struggles when shooting the ball. Rather than coming off screens to attack off the catch, he’s being tasked with generating offense for himself and others off the bounce. The results have been mixed, with White currently shooting a career-low 29.7% from deep on 8.6 attempts per game.
A recent stat from Todd Whitehead, who runs the “CrumpledJumper” account on X, showcases the increased on-ball workload White is currently navigating. The stat shows White as second in the NBA for increased scoring off the dribble, with former Celtic Jrue Holiday leading the league.
CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning asked head coach Joe Mazzulla about White’s increased on-ball responsibilities following the Celtics’ loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
”He’s a point guard coming off the pick-and-roll,” Mazzulla said. “…He’s doing OK. He didn’t play well tonight, obviously missing easy shots. But overall, as far as the season goes, I think his creation in two-on-one is one of the best things he does, as is getting downhill in the pick-and-roll in two-on-two, either making the right play for him or kicking out. So he’s got to continue.”
Since joining the Celtics in 2022, White has operated as a secondary, or even tertiary ball-handler within Boston’s offense. So, it’s understandable that he’s currently working through an adjustment phase, as he figures out how to thrive while shouldering his new responsibilities.
Tatum will eventually return to the Celtics’ rotation. When he does, White can slide back into his usual role. Until then, the veteran guard must continue adjusting to his new reality. He’s too good to struggle from the field for much longer.