Derrick White on winning Eastern Conference Player of the Week: “I thought Payton should have won it”  

Derrick White spoke to the media at shootaround right this moment for the primary time since being named Jap Convention Participant of the Week, and stated he thought a distinct teammate ought to have as a substitute the earned the honors.

“Actually, I believed Payton ought to have gained the award,” White instructed reporters.

For video games performed from March 18 to 24, White averaged 20.3 factors, 8.8 assists, and 6.5 rebounds because the Celtics gained 4 straight. Pritchard put up comparable however barely decrease numbers, averaging 19.3 factors, 7 assists, and three.3 rebounds within the undefeated stretch. Pritchard was additionally nominated for Jap Convention Participant of the Week, however White finally gained.

White credited the workforce for the popularity, which was his first of the season and second of his profession.

“It’s fairly cool,” he stated. “I’m simply grateful to be part of this workforce, and simply being 4-0 after I was taking part in was an enormous cause for it.”

Jrue Vacation missed all 4 video games performed final week, which meant White and Pritchard every had extra touches. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum every missed one recreation in that span as nicely.

“You simply get extra alternatives, extra likelihood to be extra aggressive, I suppose,” White stated, when requested about his sample of stepping up when the workforce is shorthanded. “It simply occurs when most individuals are out, simply being aggressive, and making an attempt to make performs.”

At shootaround, White additionally stated he had lots of enjoyable at Tuesday night time’s Maine Celtics recreation in Faculty Park and laughed at Jordan Walsh’s notion that he needed to point out the workforce he was ‘not a bum.’

“It was cool for me to return there and help them,” White stated. “I perceive, as a result of I used to be a part of it — typically you are feeling you may need gotten forgotten. That’s in all probability what Jordan was saying. However he’s not forgotten. We’re all the time checking in on him and seeing how he’s doing.”