Derrick White: Elite Rim Protector

After losing 3 elite rim protectors the Boston Celtics allow the 4th lowest percentage at the rim this season just trailing the Pistons, Thunder, and TWolves.

While the Cs employ a similar strategy to the Thunder where anytime an opposing player gets a paint touch a car alarm goes off and 3 guys go to deal with the problem, Derrick White taken on the brunt of these responsibilities as he leads the team in shots defended at the rim only giving up just 53% at the rim.

White is also 9th in the league in total blocks to go along with 50 total steals on the season. White is one of 3 players in the league who is at least +2 in Offensive EPM and +2 in Defensive EPM. The other two are Wemby and Chet.

The Celtics are merely a mediocre defensive team overall but Jayson Tatum one of their best defenders hasn’t played and the Celtics are 6pts per 100 better defensively with White on the court. They are 2 pts better than league average with White on the court. He is producing like an All Star and a lock to make 1st team all defense while being a sneaky DPOY candidate.