Getty
Derrick White of the Boston Celtics talks with Jaylen Brown during the second quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls.
The Boston Celtics dominated the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, the final score being 108-81. The win pushed Boston’s record to 41-20 and has them sitting at second place in the Eastern Conference, in what many believed to be a gap year.
The defense set the tone. The Celtics held the Bucks to just 81 points and controlled the game from the opening tip. It was the latest example of a defensive identity that has taken shape over the past four months.
On Tuesday, the news got even better for Boston’s defense.
Key Celtic Wins Defensive Player of the Month
Derrick White was named Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for February. It marks the first time that he has won the award, and he becomes the first Celtic to do so since its creation.
Victor Wembanyama took home the honor in the Western Conference.
White appeared in every game Boston played during February. The team went 9-2 across those 11 contests. His defensive production stood out across multiple categories. He blocked nearly two shots per game while recording at least one block and one steal in six straight games to close the month. No guard in the league contested more shots than White did in February.
The selection validates what coaches and teammates have been saying about White’s defensive impact all season. He finally has hardware to prove it.
What Makes White’s Defense Elite
Boston’s defense dominated February. The team held opponents below 43 percent shooting while allowing fewer than 37 made field goals per game.
White anchored all of it. This season, he is blocking more shots and generating more steals than at any point in his career. And the Celtics defense performs significantly better when he is on the floor.
His teammate, Jaylen Brown has been vocal about White’s defensive excellence. Last month, Brown made a case for White’s All-Star candidacy based on his two-way impact.
“I think Derrick White has been playing at an All-Star level, because he plays both sides of the ball,” Brown said. “And that’s no disrespect to some of those other guys that are maybe in All-Star contention…but it’s a clear difference.”
Brown went further, bringing up another award he believes White should be in the conversation for.
“I think Derrick is a First Team All-Defense type of ballot, or maybe even Defensive Player of the Year,” Brown said.
GettyDerrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics.
Celtics Still Without Tatum Against Charlotte
Wednesday’s injury report listed one name. Jayson Tatum remains out with a right Achilles repair.
Tatum has talked about wanting his first game back to happen in front of the TD Garden crowd. Recent reports suggest Friday’s home game against Dallas could mark his return.
White’s defensive excellence has been crucial during Tatum’s absence. The Celtics have built their identity around defense while waiting for their star forward to return. White has been the anchor of that identity.
Final Word for the Celtics
Derrick White picked up his first Defensive Player of the Month award Tuesday.
The Celtics are thriving at 41-20. Defense has become their calling card. White is one of the key reasons why. The blocks. The steals. The contested shots.
The Celtics face the Charlotte Hornets next on Wednesday at TD Garden. White will look to continue the defensive dominance that earned him recognition as the East’s best defender in February.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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