Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd thinks that Derrick White’s chase-down block on P.J. Washington with less than a minute left in Game 2 of the NBA Finals was a missed foul call, but seemingly accepted the decision the referees made by not complaining deeply about it.
“My interpretation? It looked like a foul. But it wasn’t called, so it wasn’t a foul.”
"It looked like a foul. But it wasn't called, so it wasn't a foul."
Jason Kidd on Derrick White's game-sealing block pic.twitter.com/tWvEJGF4ok
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 10, 2024
Washington had leaked out on a fastbreak opportunity, having an open lane to the rim as the Mavs could have cut the game to a single possession with under 50 seconds remaining, enough time to try and complete a comeback. However, White chased Washington down and managed to get the block, even though there was contact with Washington’s hand.
https://twitter.com/StephNoh/status/1799991435443204390
The lack of a call here meant the game clock kept running as the Celtics enjoyed their five-point lead. This block decided the game, so if it was a foul, the Mavericks would feel hard done by the same.
The Mavs are now down 0-2, and even Kidd knows that creating a scene over what he believes was a missed call here would be pointless and serve as a distraction.
Joe Mazzula Praised Derrick White
The acquisition of Derrick White in February 2022 changed the Celtics’ contending situation. The team was a first-round exit in 2021 after a Play-In appearance and was on track for a similar fate in 2022 until a miraculous post-deadline turnaround that saw them go to the NBA Finals. The key difference was the acquisition of White.
The do-it-all guard was showered with praise by current head coach Joe Mazzulla after their Game 2 win.
“He’s not defined by one thing, he’s just a little bit of everything. He can handle a pick-and-roll, he can score in a pick-and-roll, he can stay spaced, he’s not defined by scoring, he rebounds, he plays defense, be the pick-and-roll ball-handler, screener, he’s had blocks on bigs. He’s just another guy who is selfless and wants to impact the game any way that he can.”
"He's just a little bit of everything."
Coach Joe Mazzulla gives high praise to Derrick White after taking a 2-0 series lead 🗣️#NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/fo3BuReEGi
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2024
White is averaging 17.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in the postseason, putting up 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists through the first two Finals games. The backcourt defensive tandem created by him and Jrue Holiday has absolutely neutralized Kyrie Irving, who has scored 30 points through the first two games on poor efficiency.
The Celtics have many high-IQ players on their roster, but it seems White is arguably the most complete guard on their team. His offense is more reliable than Jrue Holiday’s, even if his defense could rank a little lower than Holiday’s. Mazzulla was right to praise his versatility, as White does everything he’s asked to and isn’t intimidated by any matchup.
He didn’t impress fans during the 2022 NBA Finals, but he could be the x-factor that helps the Celtics finally win their 18th NBA Championship trophy.
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