Derrick White Revisits Criticism Of Celtics After NBA Finals Win

So much for Boston not being battle tested, right?

by Sean T. McGuire | Jun 18, 2024 | 2 Min Read

Even the soft-spoken Derrick White felt the need to clap back at a previous critique after the Boston Celtics earned their long-awaited Banner 18.

While speaking to reporters after Boston’s 106-88 victory at TD Garden on Monday night, White reflected on the narrative the Celtics weren’t “battle tested.”

The notion the Celtics didn’t know how to win close games was a popular talking point entering the NBA playoffs, and ahead of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.

“They were trying to say we weren’t battled tested; I’m like, What do you think the last two years was? Did that not mean nothing?” White told reporters, per ASAP Sports.

White’s reference obviously was to Boston’s shortcomings in the NBA Finals two seasons prior and loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals last year.

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Unfortunately for those who criticized the C’s, the storyline fell flat all postseason. The Celtics defeated the Mavericks in a gentleman’s sweep after doing the same to the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston swept the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals.

What do you think?  Leave a comment.

Perhaps the Celtics should have made it harder on themselves. After all, they didn’t play many close games en route to a 16-3 postseason record and 80-21 overall mark.

More NBA:

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About the Author

Sean T. McGuire

I write about the Patriots and other sports. Bill Belichick once told me I asked a "Good question," and I think he meant it. Also walked the 72nd hole of the 2024 Travelers Championship with champion Scottie Scheffler.

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