Derrick White is averaging 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks this season, all career-highs. The same applies to him shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc on 6.6 three-point attempts.
His true shooting percentage, which measures efficiency by taking into account two-point field goals, three-point field goals, and free throws, is 66 percent, ranking in the top ten, per basketball-reference.com.
The former Colorado Buffalo is in the 98th percentile and ranks ninth in estimated plus-minus (plus-5.3), per dunksandthrees.com. He, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the only players the database has in the 94th percentile or better on both sides of the ball in estimated plus-minus.
White has a plus-minus rating of plus-9.3, ranking fourth in the NBA among those who have played at least ten games. He is 13th in value over replacement player (1.6). Kevin Durant (1.7) and Stephen Curry (1.8) are slightly ahead of him.
Based on merit, he belongs in the All-Star Game. However, while he is playing at that level, this is more of a popularity contest.
There is also the reality of how many of the best players in the Eastern Conference reside in the backcourt. Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, Damian Lillard, Trae Young, and Donovan Mitchell will likely be on the roster. There could be the need for a fill-in, though.
With the odds against him, despite how strong his case is, the Celtics, who he has helped climb atop the NBA standings with a 21-6 record, are campaigning to get Derrick White to the All-Star Game.
That now includes Jayson Tatum, who hopes as many of his teammates as possible join him in Indianapolis, Indiana, the weekend of Feb. 18, 2024.
The four-time All-Star posted an Instagram story that included an image of White, with his stat line from Boston’s 144-119 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. The six-year veteran registered 28 points, seven assists, four blocks, and a steal in the victory.
Tatum captioned the picture with the message “All-Star.” While his opinion is subjective, as outlined here, the statistics, which mesh with the eye test in this case, are on his side.
