Sports
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Celtics' White Breaks 3-Point Record, Credits Warriors
Celtics Guard Derrick White Breaks Franchise 3-Point Record, Credits Warriors' Defense for Improvement
Memphis, TN – Boston Celtics guard Derrick White etched his name in franchise history on Monday night, surpassing Isaiah Thomas’ single-season record for three-pointers made. White’s 246th three-pointer, achieved during a 117-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, cemented his place atop the Celtics’ leaderboard. However, the journey to this milestone was far from straightforward, with White attributing a significant turning point to the 2022 NBA Finals loss against the Golden State Warriors.
White revealed that the Finals, and the Warriors' defensive approach, served as a pivotal moment in his career. He stated that the way Golden State defended him, essentially ignoring him at times, became a catalyst for significant improvement. "What happened in the Finals and how I was being guarded on that stage, it was one of my lowest points," White explained. "I told Draymond [Green] after the [2024] Olympics that he kind of changed my life because they weren’t guarding me." This realization spurred a dedicated offseason training regimen with his trainer, Marcus Mason, focused on consistency.
Prior to the trade to Boston in 2022, White’s three-point shooting percentage never exceeded 36.6% during his tenure with the San Antonio Spurs. His performance in the 2022 Finals, while featuring a strong Game 1, saw an overall shooting percentage of 29.4% from beyond the arc in the remaining games. However, the subsequent two seasons witnessed a dramatic upswing, with White shooting 38.1% and 39.6% from three-point range, respectively, culminating in his current impressive 38.1% this season on a career-high 9.1 attempts per game.
White’s record-breaking achievement is even more remarkable considering his 31.2% three-point shooting average with Boston during the 2022 regular season and playoffs. The improved shooting has transformed him into an indispensable part of the Celtics’ core, a testament to his dedication and adjustments made since the Finals loss. He credits a higher release point, a more assertive shooting approach, and increased fluidity in his shooting motion, along with contributions from former Celtics assistant coach Ben Sullivan, for his improved accuracy.
Despite his impressive feat, White acknowledges the close competition, with Jayson Tatum (240) and Payton Pritchard (238) trailing closely behind. With only seven games remaining in the season, a potential shift in the standings remains a possibility. White jokingly expressed his hope that his teammates would momentarily forget about the record, a testament to the camaraderie within the team. He ultimately expressed gratitude towards his coaches and teammates, recognizing their crucial role in his success.
Memphis, TN – Boston Celtics guard Derrick White etched his name in franchise history on Monday night, surpassing Isaiah Thomas’ single-season record for three-pointers made. White’s 246th three-pointer, achieved during a 117-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, cemented his place atop the Celtics’ leaderboard. However, the journey to this milestone was far from straightforward, with White attributing a significant turning point to the 2022 NBA Finals loss against the Golden State Warriors.
White revealed that the Finals, and the Warriors' defensive approach, served as a pivotal moment in his career. He stated that the way Golden State defended him, essentially ignoring him at times, became a catalyst for significant improvement. "What happened in the Finals and how I was being guarded on that stage, it was one of my lowest points," White explained. "I told Draymond [Green] after the [2024] Olympics that he kind of changed my life because they weren’t guarding me." This realization spurred a dedicated offseason training regimen with his trainer, Marcus Mason, focused on consistency.
Prior to the trade to Boston in 2022, White’s three-point shooting percentage never exceeded 36.6% during his tenure with the San Antonio Spurs. His performance in the 2022 Finals, while featuring a strong Game 1, saw an overall shooting percentage of 29.4% from beyond the arc in the remaining games. However, the subsequent two seasons witnessed a dramatic upswing, with White shooting 38.1% and 39.6% from three-point range, respectively, culminating in his current impressive 38.1% this season on a career-high 9.1 attempts per game.
White’s record-breaking achievement is even more remarkable considering his 31.2% three-point shooting average with Boston during the 2022 regular season and playoffs. The improved shooting has transformed him into an indispensable part of the Celtics’ core, a testament to his dedication and adjustments made since the Finals loss. He credits a higher release point, a more assertive shooting approach, and increased fluidity in his shooting motion, along with contributions from former Celtics assistant coach Ben Sullivan, for his improved accuracy.
Despite his impressive feat, White acknowledges the close competition, with Jayson Tatum (240) and Payton Pritchard (238) trailing closely behind. With only seven games remaining in the season, a potential shift in the standings remains a possibility. White jokingly expressed his hope that his teammates would momentarily forget about the record, a testament to the camaraderie within the team. He ultimately expressed gratitude towards his coaches and teammates, recognizing their crucial role in his success.
