The 2024 All-Star Voting has officially opened. Fans are voting for all their favorite players, but there’s been a lot of buzz for Celtics guard Derrick White to get an all-star bid. JJ Redick started the campaign on X a few days ago and it has since become a very controversial topic amongst NBA fans.
But in all honesty, Derrick White as an all-star might not be as crazy as it seems. Many see White as a high-level role player and not a worthy all-star. But I believe that both can be correct.
Derrick White by the numbers
Looking at White’s impact on Boston, he’s arguably been operating as a top three player on the team. He’s averaging 16.8 points per game, good enough for fourth in scoring. He’s leading the team in assists and steals per game. And he’s only trailing Kristaps Porzingis in blocks per game.
His impact on the team can’t be overstated either. In the three games he’s missed this season, Boston has gone 1-2, meaning they’re 23-4 in games with White. Does that objectively make him more deserving of an all-star spot over Eastern guards like Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, or Tyrese Haliburton? No. But being a pivotal contributor on the best team in basketball is nothing to sneeze at.
Some in favor of White’s inclusion as an all-star looked back to some appearances from similar “role players” such as Draymond Green, Jeff Teague, and Kyle Korver.
And the key separator in favor of Derrick White’s all-star campaign is his stuff that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet. His defensive consistency. His offensive efficiency. And the other little things that contribute to winning basketball. Redick sang those praises and more on his podcast, The Old Man & The Three.
Now by no means am I saying that Derrick White should be an all-star. And I’m definitely not demanding that he be an all-star starter. However, I can see the coaches giving him a nod as an all-star reserve.
And in all honesty, rewarding a winning basketball player on the league’s best team shouldn’t be a bad or controversial thing. Who else do you think deserves an all-star spot?
***
Want to work in sports? Check out our open positions.
Follow Fantom Sports on Twitter.
Join the Fantom Sports Discord!