‘I need to be Derrick White’: Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell says Celtics guard is his inspiration

Celtics

“He makes all of the profitable performs. That is who I need to be.”

Derrick White blocks a D’Angelo Russell layup. Erin Clark/Globe Employees

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D’Angelo Russell is taking a extra aggressive method to the preseason. He says he doesn’t care if he appears loopy choosing up ball handlers from half courtroom or diving on the ground for free balls.

The Lakers guard said he looks to Celtics guard Derrick White for example of the form of participant he desires to be.

“My inspiration has been Derrick White,” Russell mentioned. “I need to be Derrick White. He doesn’t get quite a lot of credit score for what he does. He makes all of the profitable performs. That’s who I need to be.”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla listed humility, physique language, and dependability because the traits that might make White a great position mannequin for different gamers.

“You’ll be able to depend on him each single day. He understands it’s not at all times going to go his manner, and he at all times has actually good physique language. He’s one in all our intangible leaders as a result of he brings it each single day and you may depend on him in these areas.

“That’s an incredible objective to need to be like somebody like him,” Mazzulla continued. “I nonetheless suppose he’s underrated from a defensive standpoint due to how good he’s. Hopefully he continues to develop offensively, so we are able to see a distinct facet of him.”

Whereas White is without doubt one of the finest shot blocking guards within the NBA, protection isn’t the one a part of his sport that shines, Celtics guard Jrue Vacation mentioned.

“I believe it’s simply him,” Vacation mentioned. “His character, his character. He appears form of quiet, however when he will get on the courtroom he actually makes quite a lot of loud noise. I do know individuals at all times speak about defensively, how he’s blocking photographs on the rim and even on the three, getting steals, taking part in nice protection.”

“However, offensively, he’s dependable,” Vacation continued. “He’s at all times performed very stable, pulling down threes, a really dependable shooter. He’s greater than dependable, he’s somebody you’ll be able to at all times go to if you want him.”