With Stephen Curry sidelined for the All-Star Game, the league had a chance to reward a different kind of star - the kind who doesn’t always light up the scoreboard but impacts winning in every way imaginable. Many thought that might be Derrick White’s moment. Instead, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver handed the nod to Brandon Ingram.
Ingram joins his Raptors teammate Scottie Barnes on the All-Star roster, giving Toronto two representatives. Meanwhile, the Celtics - tied for second in the Eastern Conference - will send just one: Jaylen Brown.
At first glance, Ingram’s selection makes sense. His counting stats are strong, and he’s been efficient with the ball. But when you dig a little deeper - into the metrics that capture a player’s full impact on the game - Derrick White’s case becomes a lot harder to ignore.
White doesn’t just contribute; he elevates. He guards the opposing team’s best perimeter player, facilitates the offense, and fills whatever role Boston needs on a given night. His shooting has been inconsistent this year, sure, but that hasn’t stopped him from being one of the Celtics’ most valuable players - and one of the most well-rounded guards in the league.
This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about winning.
And White has been at the center of that for Boston. The Celtics have outperformed expectations all season, and with Jayson Tatum sidelined, White has taken on even more responsibility - particularly on the offensive end - without letting his defensive standards slip an inch.
A selection for Derrick White would’ve been a recognition of that kind of winning DNA - the kind that doesn’t always show up on highlight reels but shows up where it matters most: the standings.
Toronto’s having a solid season, no doubt, and Ingram’s scoring punch has been a big part of that. But it’s fair to question whether a fifth-place team should be rewarded with two All-Stars when a team like Boston, sitting higher in the standings and playing elite-level defense night after night, only gets one.
Jaylen Brown has been an MVP-level force this year, carrying a massive load on both ends. But he’s not doing it alone. White has stepped up in every way imaginable - from playmaking to perimeter defense - and has done it all without needing the spotlight.
The commissioner’s pick doesn’t follow a strict formula. It’s not just about points per game or shooting percentages.
It’s about recognizing players who make a difference - who drive winning, elevate their teams, and do the dirty work that championship contenders are built on. That’s Derrick White in a nutshell.
Would it have been nice to see White get the All-Star nod? Absolutely.
But if you’ve followed this Celtics team all season, you know they don’t need the recognition to stay motivated. They’ve been playing with a chip on their shoulder ever since Tatum went down, and this latest snub is just more fuel for the fire.
Joe Mazzulla and his staff know how to channel that energy. And with the Celtics gunning for the top of the East, you can bet this won’t be the last time Derrick White’s name comes up in conversations about impact players - even if it’s not in the All-Star Game.