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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Justin Quinn

Do the Boston Celtics have a serious candidate to win the NBA’s 2023 Most Improved Player award?

Do the Boston Celtics have a serious candidate to win the NBA’s 2023 Most Improved Player award this season?

According to one Bleacher Report analyst, they very well could. Per B/R’s Greg Swartz, newly minted starting Celtics floor general Derrick White has the right tells to his game and new role to put him in position to take home that particular piece of end-of-season hardware.

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“White is … going to be faced with increased playmaking, scoring and defensive duties now that … Smart has been traded, as he becomes the full-time starting point guard,” writes Swartz. “In his 70 starts last season, White averaged 12.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and shot 39.4% from 3.”

“His chances of winning the award could be assisted by the Celtics’ success, especially if Boston leads the NBA in wins and secures the No. 1 seed,” suggests the B/R analyst.

“Malcolm Brogdon earned his Sixth Man of the Year award last season, but playing for a winner obviously helps,” relates Swartz.

“A part-time starter for the majority of his career, White should have his best year as the starting point guard for a loaded Celtics team with championship aspirations.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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