Even the most successful Coloradan in the NBA today, Derrick White, found himself unable to secure a table at Denver’s renowned Casa Bonita.
“I tried to go to Casa Bonita this summer and I couldn’t get in there,” the Celtics guard lamented. “So it’s big time. I want to go to Casa Bonita. I’m a Casa Bonita fan.”
White may have to wait until summer, or perhaps even late spring if he faces his hometown team in the 2024 NBA Finals, as predicted by many basketball pundits.
For White, visits to Denver are always special. The former CU Buffs star spends time at his parents’ house and catches up with old friends from Legend High School in Parker. While many wish him well for the game, they also express their hope for a Nuggets victory. “Not my good friends,” White clarified.
This visit was different for both White and the Nuggets. Denver is now a defending NBA champion for the first time in franchise history, selling out Ball Arena on a nightly basis, a scenario that seemed improbable in White’s youth. “Definitely a lot more Nuggets fans than when I was in high school,” he noted. “So it’s exciting for the city.”
Since his buzzer-beater saved Boston’s season in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, White’s prominence has soared, as has his role. He has evolved into one of the most valuable two-way players in Boston’s exceptional starting lineup.
When White is on the court, the NBA-best Celtics outscore their opponents by 13.7 points per 100 possessions, the best individual net rating for any player in the league.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone has observed White’s growth and confidence, recalling the playoff series when White was with San Antonio. “You just watch his maturation, his progression as a player, and he just looks really, really confident out there,” Malone remarked.
White appreciates the consistency and support of the people in Denver, whether he’s playing well or not. “So that’s the nice thing,” he said.
While White was initially hesitant to entertain the idea of a Nuggets-Celtics Finals, he admitted that he couldn’t bring himself to root for Denver in the 2023 series against Miami. “It hurt too much,” he confessed. Boston fell one win short of facing the Nuggets for the title after White’s dramatic Game 6 tip-in.
Despite this, the Celtics made significant changes in the offseason, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in exchange for Grant Williams and Marcus Smart. Holiday and White have become one of the league’s better defensive backcourt duos, contributing to Boston’s success. White’s scoring, shooting, and distributing are all at career highs in his seventh season.
White also commended CU’s Tad Boyle for maintaining the cycle of elite guard development at the university. He spoke highly of current junior K.J. Simpson, who is on the Wooden Award watch list. White expressed admiration for Simpson’s work ethic and competitiveness, eagerly anticipating his performance in the upcoming tournament.
“He’s been incredible,” White praised. “I’ve got a lot of respect for him. Came out and talked to him this summer, and I could tell he was ready to go. He was excited. He works hard, he competes, and he’s been incredible all year. Looking forward to seeing how he has this little tournament run… He’s been unreal all year.”
