Derrick White stepped up to the microphones at Celtics Media Day and didn’t hold back, hitting fans with the direct truth they’ve been waiting for. He says he’s corrected the shooting woes that plagued him last season, declaring, “I feel good. I feel confident, and I’ll try and go out there and perform.” That’s a huge statement from a core guy who knows exactly what went wrong and what’s at stake.
The Undeniable Truth of Last Season’s Struggle
It’s easy to forget just how dominant White was in other areas last season. He absolutely balled out, setting career-highs with 16.5 points, 5.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. He was among league leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio, showing off his court vision. Defensively, he was elite, ranking sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earning an All-Defensive First Team spot. He’s a legit, top-tier defender. But, man, the whispers about his offensive efficiency were loud, especially when the playoffs hit, and every missed shot felt like it carried the weight of the city. It just felt wrong for a player doing so much good to struggle so hard on offense.
When Every Miss Carried the Weight of the World
The numbers don’t lie about that struggle. White shot a brutal 39.4% from the field and an even tougher 32.7% from beyond the arc. Here’s the kicker: over half his shots came from three-point land. When you’re launching that many threes, and they’re not falling, every single brick feels magnified. It was a tough watch, particularly when the team stumbled and blew that heartbreaking 3-1 series lead. That kind of shooting slump gets inside a player’s head, and it had fans and critics alike zeroing in on his offensive struggles, overshadowing all those incredible defensive plays. That can define a season.
White’s Confident Return
White acknowledged the issue head-on, saying he went back to see “what went wrong, why it went wrong, and try to correct it.” When pressed, he joked, “you guys would look at me crazy if I said I didn’t figure it out at all.” He talked about going “back to some things that I’ve done” in the past, focusing on “little things that kinda compound, combine into a bad shooting year.” He’s been a critical part of this team since the trade, taking on more responsibility each season. With Jayson Tatum’s absence, White had to step up even more, making his offensive consistency even more crucial. His confidence now, after the work, is the shot of adrenaline this squad needs.
With Media Day in the rearview, the clock is officially ticking for the season ahead. White’s improved shooting isn’t just a personal goal; it’s a make-or-break piece of the puzzle. If he’s truly fixed those “little things,” the sky’s the limit for this squad. Fans will be watching every single shot when the season kicks off, eager to see if that newfound confidence translates into consistent buckets. His performance could be the difference-maker in how far this team can go. No pressure, right? Just the hopes of a fanbase resting on that smooth jumper.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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