Celtics Rumors: D.J. White Could Help Team's Interior Defense to Playoff Run

BLEACHER REPORT

BY JOSH BENJAMIN (FEATURED COLUMNIST) ON FEBRUARY 22, 2013 3,903 reads 8

The Boston Celtics shored up their need at guard thanks to a trade for Jordan Crawford, but a new face in the form of former Charlotte Bobcats forward D.J. White has popped up on GM Danny Ainge's radar.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Boston is thinking of signing White to a 10-day contract now that his season in China is over.

In 32 games for the Shanghai Sharks, the 6'9", 251-pound White posted 21.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. That's a far cry from his NBA career marks of 6.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest.

Just the same, the Celtics owe it to themselves to give White a 10-day contract at least. They are the second-worst rebounding team in the league and need a great deal of help on the inside with Jared Sullinger out for the season.

White isn't much, but he is a definite improvement over Brandon Bass—at least at this point—and could help the team go on a playoff run.

His numbers may seem low, but White's per-36 numbers show much more potential. Since he has only averaged 16.3 minutes for his career, it's no wonder that we have yet to see him at what could be his best. Per 36 minutes, the former Indiana Hoosier posts 14 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.


Also keep in mind that in his senior season at Indiana, White averaged 17.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest. He has the potential to be a strong interior defender, something the Celtics need if they are to go on a successful playoff run.

If Ainge opts not to sign White, he puts the Celtics at great risk of being exposed for what they really are come playoff time: an aging roster desperately clinging to any hopes of potential greatness. Having White aboard would not only take the pressure off 36-year-old Kevin Garnett but would also inject some life into aging Boston's lineup.

All that needs to happen is for Ainge to call White or his agent and make the deal happen. If he is brought aboard and successful, the Celtics' interior defense will be much tougher come the postseason.

Otherwise, the team is almost certain to suffer an early exit. If a cold streak comes along, the Celtics may not even make the playoffs at all.

STEVE BULPETT - BOSTON HAROLD REPORTS

C’s are looking at the likes of Jerome Jordan, Tim Ohlbrecht, Shavlik Randolph, Louis Amundson, and others.

112288

I posted elsewhere that the Celtics office is quite sure White will be a Celtic not later than this weekend.

Sam

I'm getting sick and tire that these writers keep referring to them as an aging roster.

New York is the oldest and the Heat are the 2nd oldest team. Plus the Lakers, Clippers, Bills and Nets are all older.

dboss

San Antonio, too.

DBoss:

The Bills are in the NFL, and play with a 53 man roster

MD!

DJ White's signing is being slowed up by two things:

1. His team in Shanghai is slow. Welcome to doing business with a Communist state.

2. Danny Ainge has said he probably won't make a move before Wednesday or Thursday, as the team doesn't play again until Friday.

This last comment makes it clear to me that White is just an injury insurance policy and stopgap to comply with league minimum roster requirements. If you really thought you might have gotten someone with potential to truly make the team, you'd get him in and watch him workout in practice with players to try and find a slot/role for him. Danny's watching the waiver wire.


bob


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DJ White is now officially a Celtic. He worked out with the team in Waltham and did media interviews. He will be wearing #12, the closest he could come to single digits. Some excerpts:

I will pick my spots on offense, but my main focus is on rebounding and defense.

My experience in China was different than Terrence Williams. I was in Shanghai. He was in God knows where.


White says he chose the Celtics over “a couple” other teams. “I wanted to come here.”


bob
MY NOTE: T-Will played for the Guangdong Tigers. Guangdong is known as China's sex capital. Must have been hard for T-Will to keep his focus. Shanghai, on the other hand, is a great, world-class city. Love Shanghai. Gotta love White's answer as to why he is a Celtic, "I wanted to come here".



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A short video of DJ White practicing his jump shots. Looks like he likes the left side of the floor, perhaps with a pick-and-pop to the elbow...



http://twitter.yfrog.com/fvph9sqjnlwmrrofxptrlnssz


bob



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I'm an IU fan and have always liked White. He's not spectacular at anything but he's very solid (yes, that's a double entendre) and he can push Bass as the beefy PF.