BOSTON — A Derrick White fixed jumper could be the ultimate key to unlocking the Boston Celtics offense this season after a revealing Media Day update. Guard Derrick White delivered a candid assessment of his three-point struggles, confirming he spent the summer fixing the mistakes that hurt his shot last year. After reviewing film from his down season, White adjusted his form to regain the high-efficiency release that previously anchored Boston’s lineup. That adjustment could give head coach Joe Mazzulla a huge boost in spacing as training camp begins.
Diagnosing the slip in Derrick White’s release
Reflecting on his shooting slumps at the podium, Derrick White acknowledged that bad habits crept into his stroke over the course of last year.
“You guys would look at me crazy if I was like I didn’t figure it out at all,” White admitted regarding his summer film review. “I think there’s obviously some things that I kind of dropped that I’ve done in the past. Just a bunch of those little things that kind of combined to a bad shooting year, and just trying to be better for next year.”
Fixing those dropped shooting mechanics—specifically his hand placement, lift trajectory, and release point—became the main focus of his summer workouts. Rather than changing his entire jump shot, White made small tweaks to regain his quick, smooth rhythm. Before last season, he shot over 38% from behind-the-arc for three straight seasons. He made 265 threes in 2024-25, fourth most in the NBA.
How Derrick White fixed jumper improve Joe Mazzulla’s offense
A reliable jumper from Derrick White directly upgrades Joe Mazzulla‘s offensive playbook. Boston’s attack relies heavily on 3-point shooting and open driving lanes for its stars.
When White’s shooting numbers dipped last season, opposing defenses started sagging off him to crowd the paint against Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Restoring White’s stroke forces defenders to stay attached to him on the perimeter, which opens up easy passing lanes and clear drives to the basket. White’s ability to knock down open shots also gives Boston a reliable safety valve when the clock runs down.
How a bounce back year raises Boston’s ceiling
Getting efficient scoring alongside defense from the backcourt is essential for Boston’s championship push. White is already an elite defender and smart passer, but his 3-point shooting turns Boston from a good team into an elite one.
By taking accountability for his shooting mechanics and putting in the summer work, White enters the season positioned for a major bounce back. Ultimately, knowing that a Derrick White fixed jumper will space the floor gives the Celtics an even bigger advantage over Eastern Conference rivals.
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