NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 9, 2022

Derrick White

Boston Celtics

Practice Day

Q. This team has obviously done very well with adversity throughout the course of the postseason, but prosperity at times has been challenging for you. How do you go about making sure you have that same intensity for this game when things are going well?

DERRICK WHITE: You understand that is a huge game. Every game is important, and we understand we can't give away games and stuff like that, so everybody is focused, got the right mindset, and it's time to go show it tomorrow.

Q. What's the Celtics experience been like for you? What's it been like to be a part of this group and kind of see this all coming together throughout the course of the postseason?

DERRICK WHITE: It's been fun. We have a great group, guys that care about each other. We like to see each other succeed. It's been a lot of fun. It's the highest level, and just playing with people that you care about and you could have fun playing with, and I'm enjoying it.

Q. Every hustle stat you guys dominated yesterday. Loose balls, everything it seemed like you were getting second-chance points. It seemed like the two catalysts behind it were the two Williams, Grant, Robert. They were everywhere. Can you talk about their play?

DERRICK WHITE: They were both huge. Rob seemed like he affected every shot around the hoop. Big offensive rebounds. Doing the things that he does.

Grant was doing the same thing. Offensive rebounds, loose balls, finding a way to get a second possession, extra shots.

They were both huge and a big reason why we won that game.

Q. Why do you think the team has been so successful? What's the identity of this group that allows you to have success that you have had to be on the verge of what you’re on the verge of?

DERRICK WHITE: We have a lot of good guys and a lot of talents and people just care about the team. Just kind of put ego aside and care about team first and good things happen when that happens.

Q. What are some things perhaps about Jayson that makes him the player that he is, the person that he is that's kind of behind the scenes that maybe people don't see as much?

DERRICK WHITE: A lot of work. No cameras around, he is in the gym, in the training room getting his body right. Just doing a lot of little things, which is the difference between good and great.

I think each year he has made a big step. Throughout these playoffs, he’s made another step. Just cool to see how each time he goes out there and just seems to get better and better.

Q. When you came from San Antonio, did you have a feel for what this team could be and that you had a chance to get to this point, or did you need to kind of see how things developed over the course of time?

DERRICK WHITE: No, I was excited. I knew that we had a lot of talent, a lot of good pieces, and I felt like I would fit in well, so I was really excited. I felt the sky was the limit, and just tried to get better and better to reach this as a goal.

Q. What do you expect from the Warriors? They have their back against the wall after last night.

DERRICK WHITE: They're going to come out aggressive. We've been talking about this the whole series, just competing, physical, everything that they need to do -- that they think they need to do to help them win.

We've got to be ready to go and answer anything they throw at us.

Q. How much do you pride yourself in being physical as a team?

DERRICK WHITE: The coaches have emphasized that since I've been here, and each time we're out there that's what we try to do is be the more physical team. We have a lot of guys that enjoy that.

Q. How much for you is the Boston crowd giving you energy from the start?

DERRICK WHITE: Yeah. I mean, even just running out when I had my pregame shooting, you could just feel a little different atmosphere, a little different feel into the building. It was a lot of fun, and I'm sure it will be another you step up for Game 4.

Q. What's the biggest difference in terms of when you are starting and the impact and when you have to come off the bench?

DERRICK WHITE: For me it doesn't really matter. I mean, I play a lot with the starters, play a lot with the guys off the bench, so it doesn't matter whether I'm starting or come off the bench. Just go in there and try to impact winning any way I can, whether it's defense, scoring, passing, whatever it might be, setting screens. It changes game to game, but just have to go out there and do what I do.