Regardless of whether he is chosen, Derrick White is playing All-Star basketball.
He averages 15.8 points, four rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game, all career highs. His 5.1 assists per game are the second most the six-year veteran has averaged.
He also converts 40.5 percent of his 6.3 shots from outside the arc, a personal high if you exclude the 17 games he played with the San Antonio Spurs as a rookie.
According to dunksandthrees.com, the former Colorado Buffalo is one of four players with estimated plus-minus ratings in the 93rd percentile or higher on both sides of the ball. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the remaining three.
It’s an excellent example of how the numbers support his selection to the All-Star team.
However, no one should be surprised that White will not receive enough votes to start for the East on February 18 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is presently ranked seventh among Eastern Conference guards in fan voting, with 399,120.
Then there’s the matter of whether the coaches will give White a well-deserved nod, or if he’ll have to settle for a fill-in role.
The former would necessitate selecting the Parker, Colorado native over a more popular player. For example, limiting the Miami Heat, who are now fifth in the East, to either Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo rather than both.
In a recent appearance on The Ringer’s Bill Simmons Podcast, former Celtics head coach and 24-year bench boss Doc Rivers discussed which way coaches might go on the topic.
“He should be an All-Star this season, honestly. I believe he will be based on the coach’s vote. And he is the type of guy that coaches will vote for.”
Perhaps White won’t have to aspire to fill in for anyone after all.
