S2E5: NBA Trade Deadline from Derrick White’s Perspective

the Boston Celtics, presented by Cardless. Here are your host, Mark Demiko and Shawn grandy Well Sean. You rewind just a few weeks and we're we're pushing up against that NBA trade deadline, and it's kind of quiet here in Boston, right We're not hearing a whole lot going on, maybe some small moves on the on the periphery. Little did we know a big move was coming down the pike, and that was the Boston Celtics acquiring Derek White from

the San Antonio Spurs. What was your reaction when all this started to go public and then what stands out to you about how he's been able to integrate himself so quickly with the Celtics team. Well, the first part I thought was, isn't it beautiful again that every rumor connected to the Boston Celtics, the hundreds of them that you scroll through every day, not a single one of

them had Derek White in it. And it just Brad Stevens learned, Yeah, replays that point over and over again that nobody knows, people don't know, and it's it's a beautiful time to be making these deals because you can flood the market with misdirection easily. You do one little drop out there and it's like fish food and everybody goes crazy and hey, look out there, or you're actually

doing this thing. And then the second thing I thought of was Derek White, the player that played with you know, I played on the national team, His connection to Emay, his connection to the players of the room, the fact that it was going to be yet another ferocious chew on your ankle defender to make it speaking of a fish tank, it's trying to score against this team is going to be very difficult. And then the more spend time you spend learning about Derek White and learning about

his background, there's no coincidence. Sarah Bark this connection that Emay has with guys that were not the homecoming queen right at their school and weren't the number one choice at the prom, that took the long path to get there, that he has such an affinity for those guys because they're the ones that truly appreciate being there and they've had to work the hardest to get there. Don't ever discount mark guys personal backgrounds and connections to other players

when they're deciding who they want in the room with them. Yeah, and not only did the Celtics decide that they wanted Derek in the room with them, but then he just comes here and it's it hits the ground running, as if he didn't even switch teams right like he comes in. I think it was fifteen points during his first game, had the Garden crowd on its feet. Ever since since then, he's been playing great. Just the other night, eight teen points off the bench during a comeback win or the

Atlanta Hawks. He has fit in seamlessly with the Celtics team, both as a player and as a person. I think the Celtics couldn't ask for any more than what they've gotten out of Derk White over the first few weeks.

Of his career here with him here in Boston. So without further ado, we're gonna jump into our interview in our conversation with Derek White to talk about his process of finding out that he was traded in San Antonio where he was coming to the Boston Celtics, and man, there is a lot that he talked about about what he experienced over the last few weeks. Derek, this is your first experience on the podcast, So first and foremost, we appreciate you coming on. But more importantly, how have

you settled in? It's been about three or four weeks now since since the trade went down, you've been here in Boston. He had a little bit of an All Star break. How are you settling in? Uh? Yeah, I'm feeling good. Um. I mean it was a little crazy before the break, um, just with the trade and trying to take Afton out all all at once, but um, once more comfortable now trying to figure out these streets and where I'm going and everything. But um, it's been

fun so far. You're never going to figure out the streets, trust me, the streets, the roundabouts, like it will never make sense no matter how long you live here. Um, you said that you've been trying to figure things out though. It's just it was crazy before the before they all start break arrived. Take us through that, Like, what is it like to be an NBA player who gets traded at the deadline, especially for someone like you who you said when you got here, you just weren't expecting it

to happen. It kind of caught you off guard. Yeah, I mean I didn't see it coming at all. Um, my agent didn't see it coming, So it was kind of just a shock. But um, pop just came and he gave me a call and was like, what room number you in because we were in Atlanta, and um, he came in my room and just told me that I was traded, and like, my mind just started going crazy, and then he eventually told me it was Boston, and UM, I mean it was a little crazy at first. Um,

you don't really know what's the next steps. Um, you're kind of just sitting there, but he's trying to hit you up and ask you all these questions you don't really know the answer to. But um, I was super excited to get out here and um play with the guys. Um I knew a lot of the guys already. So it was it was nice and um, I was excited

to get out here. We gotta go a little deeper on like Pop coming to your room and first of all, he calls to see where you were, and then he comes over and he knocks down the door, Like what are you thinking? When he calls, it asks what is your room number? I gotta come pop by. Yeah. I actually told him the wrong number. At first. I told him like fourteen eleven and I was like fourteen o nine, And so I had to call him. Yeah, I should

have sent him somewhere else. Um, but uh, I had a calling back and was like, no, I'm actually in fourteen o nine. Um. And so he came in and knocked on my door. Um. We sat on the couch and you know, just like, um, you know we love you, but um, we've traded you to Boston. Um. And then just kind of went over how I went down, um, what their perspective was, how is gonna impact my career?

And just was thankful for everything I did there. So um, I mean it was a pretty emotional conversation, but um, I mean I was thankful I found out that way compared to how other people find out as the thoughts are racing through your head. Undoubtedly, I can picture Pop talking and I can picture a thousand things going on,

and your head starts spinning. How soon did the fact that Hannah is at home pregnant about to give birth, you know, the next few months to your first child, did that pop into your head and say, Wow, that's gonna be an interesting phone call? Yeah? Um, I mean after Pop calling me, I texted her. I was like, Pop just called me. I don't know what's going on. I mean, she knew it was a deadline, so she

probably knew something was up. But um, I mean that was one of the first things, like what we gonna do, How the hospital situation is gonna work out this and that? Um, everybody here has been super helpful and and has helped me a lot, so we're pretty comfortable here. And UM, at the end, that end kind of got settled pretty quickly,

so we're extremely thankful for that. As someone who has been through it, I went through it ten years ago, and I can tell you when a woman gets attached to her birth plan, she gets attached to her birth plan. Uh was she she freaked out? She had to be freaked out at first. Yeah, she was just asking a bunch of questions. Um, I didn't have any answers, and so, um,

it wasn't really helping. So I was just like, I don't know what to tell you, but uh, Will Hardy just had a kid out here, and so he texted me and when I was talking to him, He's like, yeah, just have her talk to Spenser and we'll figure it out. So, um, that made it a lot easier for her. And just knowing people out here that um have been through it and it can help us out, it has really made

it a lot easier for us. What's going through your mind as your next step emotionally, physically, everything is that I gotta get the Boston right Yeah. Um, I mean I kind of I got traded in then. Um, I didn't really know exactly what I was gonna do, Um, how I was gonna get the Boston win. I was gonna get to Boston. So I was just kind of

in the room, pacing back and forth. I mean, my phone was going off NonStop, and um, a bunch of people calling me, from my agent to Hannah, to my parents and so it's just a bunch of people just hitting me up and UM, just trying to let them know everything that's going on and UM, and then they told me what time I was going to catch a flight in. UM started packing and gone that flight. Yeah.

What are those steps of like the new organization reaching out to you, and what are I guess the steps of kind of integrating yourself after you leave that hotel room that is with the previous team and you kind of step into that next phase. What is what are the kind of the protocolls and what goes down behind the scenes that a lot of us don't know about. UM. I mean, uh, Frank kicked me up from out here and the man he's been extremely helpful, UM through it all.

But you're just getting a bunch of random numbers texting you and you're trying to figure out who all these people are and UM, they're trying to set things up for you and get the car service and everything. And then when I landed in Boston, UM, Will Hardy actually picked me up. Uh, he canceled the car service and he picked me up. So that that was extremely cool for me just to see someone I a common face

that I've known and had experiences before. And UM, I mean we're just driving to the hotel and just tell me about the team and everything, and it was it was cool. And he's not the only one, right. You've got Will Hardy, You've got you were with emay for a couple of years, the first couple of years of your career, Garrett Jackson, You've got familiarity with who was also on the staff. How much did that help you?

I mean, that's that's got to make things easier when you're going through this process for the first time of your NBA career. Yeah, definitely. Um, I mean just having that common bond with them. Um, it's not somebody brand new that you only hear stories about or something like that. So um, just knowing them. I mean even Paul West is in the training staff, he was in San Antonio, and Phil was there my rookie year, and so there was a lot of common faces that that I've known,

which which made it transition a lot easier. And and then everybody's just been helpful and knowing my situation and everything. So UM, I'm extremely thankful that I came to an organization like that where I already had those private bonds. Not to mention guys in the room that you played with, but was more interesting to me When Al left Atlanta

to come here. He talked about playing in the playoffs for the Hawks against the Celtics in Boston and the crowd serenading the Celtics whose season just ended with let's go Celtics channel, how into it the crowd was, how he always wanted to be involved. You had all these familiar elements around you, but one of them was not going to be a Boston crowd. You have this whirlwind couple of days you race into the game for the

first time against Inver. Were you aware of and surprised by how excited the fans were to see you put on that uniform and step on the floor for the first time here. Yeah, UM, a little bit. I mean that was a pretty cool moment to get that staying innovation and everything when I first checked in, and um, just to feel the love, and UM, I mean I've always known that Boston has a great sports down and everybody they love their sports here, but um, it's pretty

cool to be on on this side of it. And UM, I mean they're passionate, they love the Celtics, and um, I've always I've always enjoyed playing here and now it's even better being um on the home side, and all you did was come out and score fifteen points, Like, how the hell did you do that after the day that you had gone through your first game with the team. I don't know how much you know about the sys

them going into the game. You probably knew a little bit just given the familiarity with the staff, But how do you come in and play the way that you played during that first game actually first few games before the All Star break. Wait, but it's got to be easier than finding an O, B G Y M. Yeah, that's the easy part. Yeah, that was that was easy part. I mean my adrenaline was going crazy. Um, I mean

I just learned some of the plays like right before. Um, I didn't know I was gonna play until like an hour before the game, and um, everything was kind of crazy the whole day. And then I was just going out there and UM, just try to do what I did, and UM, I mean I got some good looks from from the guys and I was able to knock them down and just kind of get going from there. So UM, it's always nice to go put hoop with people that you played with before and Um, I was able to

get out there and do some good things early. It's strange when you were just saying that, it makes me think like, in some ways, was it actually easier that you didn't know any of the plays and you're kind of just playing basketball out there and you don't have to really think about where you need to be and you kind of just float and kind of do your thing. Um,

playing off of the other guys. Yeah, at times until they call a play and then you're like, um, when while I supposed to be doing uh, And that was really the toughest part. So I was just trying to stay out the way and um, just trying to learn the system on the fly. Um. I mean it's still a process that I mean, each game is kind of a little different and trying to get more and more comfortable. But UM, I'm excited for what we can become and

how comfortable I could fit in this system. Let's talk a little bit more about those pre existing relationships that you had coming over here. As you said, it certainly has eased the process of you integrating yourself into this team. But how close were you with guys like Will Hardy in emay Udoka when they were with you in San Antonio. Um, yeah, we were super close. I mean Hardy was the summer league coach my rookie year. Um, actually think my wroki

a second year, he was the summer league coach. So um, he was like one of the first people that I met there and kind of got a relationship with. So, um we've always had that bond. And then he may Uh, I mean he was always a player's coach and played in the past, So um we always had a nice little bond, and him and l A were super close and I got close with l A. So that's how

we kind of grew our connection. And um, it definitely makes things a lot easier just having that common a voice that you've heard before and um kind of know what you know what to expect from them. What makes him a player's coach? Um, I mean he's not the only one who said that. Yeah, why I got to hear it from your mouth? Why why is he a player's coach? Yeah, I mean he's hooped in the league before. Um, he kind of understands the system, understands what guys are

going through. Um, how the league works, in the aspect that some people that they haven't played in the league, might not see before. And um, I mean this is his first here and he's just doing a good job of Um he's learning to fly to and um having us prepared to each and every game. Could you feel as a young player, it's sometimes instinctively you can tell when you're around different coaches who's going to be a

head coach? Did you feel that with Email? And I think we all we all know Will is going to be a head coach someday in this league too. Could you feel right away? It takes people, I think a little bit of time to get to know Email, but once you kind of get through that first little wall, you realize this is a special guy who's been through a lot in his life. Could you tell that this is a guy that's going to lead a room one day? Yeah? Um, I think I did an interview when we first in

San Antonio, we first played Boston. I was like, yeah, you could tell that, Um, he had the head coach in mindset. Um, it was only a matter of time that before he got the job. Um as a coach, and UM, he works hard. Um, he knows the game. UM, he's passionate about it. So UM, stuff like that that you you want to play for. And um, I mean his careers a get started, but he's gonna he's gonna

be successful. Have you noticed any differences in him like here as a head coach as opposed to your experience with him as an assistant coach for a couple of years out there in San Antonio. Just curious like if if he has grown, if you can like see any ways that he has changed over that time. Yeah, I mean the last two years he's been gone. Um he was in what Philliam Brooklyn, So, Um, I mean I kind of was away from him for those two years. But you can definitely see the growth that he's made

in in certain aspects. Um. I mean I can't really, folks, I think of something right now, but um, he's done a lot of similarities that he did back in San Antonio. But there's definitely some things that he's grown in. Um, he's he's learning on the fly. We'll have more with Derrick White right after this. Today's episode is presented by the Boston Celtics credit card powered by Cardless. You'll be eligible to earn a special sign up bonus when you

apply and are approved at Carloss Com slash Celtics. Then redeem your points for cash, back, game tickets, merch and much more. Card issued by First Electronic Bank Member f d I c offers subject to credit approval. Visit Cardless dot Com Forward slash Celtics for more information. That's Cardless dot Com Forward slash Celtics. There is almost mythology about Gregg Popovich for people on the outside who don't get the interaction. There's the public face that he creates, and

our interaction is a lot different. Sean. You know, there's there's a big jet listen. It's all by design because he's smarter than all of the wall that he has put up. You are one of the people, the few that gets to be inside of it. Players who have played for him rave about what we will never see, which is his connection two players that you're talking about

email being a players coach. Most of the people that play from pop Will, you know, swear by him as someone who made them better and really genuinely cared on a human level. Is that your experience with him? Yeah, definitely. Um, I mean he just he tried to make you a better person. Um, it's not really about basketball. He always says like basketball that that's our job, but um, that's not. The important stuff is about how you are as a son,

how you are as a father and stuff like that. So, um, I've learned a lot from him on the court obviously, but um so much more off the court. And UM, I mean, I'm stupid extremely thankful that he was my my head coach to start my career in Um. I mean, obviously his record and everything speaks for himself, but he he truly cares about people as human beings instead of

just basketball players. So that's always makes it special. How did that relationship translate into that conversation when he did come knock on your door, because usually you don't get that conversation with the coach, right usually that's I mean, in this instance here in Boston, that would be Brett Stevens probably giving you a call and having that conversation. In prior years here in Boston, that would have been

Danny Ainge. How did kind of player coach relationship of also kind of a father's son type of type of situation with the wisdom that he's passing on to you relay into that conversation of we just traded you. Uh, yeah. I mean, uh, he came there and like he he obviously took it hard to um, which is just cool to see as a person that I mean, I had

some sort of impact on him and the team. And UM, I mean we we just kind of talked for a little bit and then stood up and hugged and to like seconds, um, and then he kind of left it. So that was that was tough. Um. I mean obviously it's emotional, and um, he spent five years there and he's been coaching me for five years and he's he's seen me from the rookie that didn't know if I could play in the league or not and to who I am now. So um, he's helped a lot help

me grow as a player and a person. And I mean, I'm excuse me thankful for him. Not a hand trick though, hug right, and not just a hug, but at twenty to thirty second hug. Like, take us into those emotions, like what was what was going through you in those those moments when you're I mean you're not saying goodbye forever, but you're saying goodbye to that player coach relationship. Yeah, I mean it was it was tough. I mean, uh,

I mean, he just hugged me, said he loved me. Um. I just kind of had that moment um that was specially in UM. I mean, I'm just thankful that he came in and he kind of talked to me about it, and so I found out and UM, I know some teams and some people might not have got that same luxury. So I'm extremely thankful for that. My God, you gave him the right room. I mean, he would have been

hugging somebody else. I imagine it didn't take long in your time with Emay to see he has an affinity for players that took a different path, a longer path to the league, which obviously he did at which you did as well. I want to go back ten years now, your senior year in high school. There are a lot of players who get looked at from the time they're twelve thirteen years old, and people are like, this is gonna be the next guy. We're gonna watch this guy.

There's profile college games and all the way into the league. For people who don't know your story, ten years ago, you're starting your senior year, your midway through your senior year in high school, how many what was the grand total of Division one offers that you had towards the final month or two of your high school career. Zero, I didn't even talk to a D one. It's crazy.

And when you think about it, and again for people who don't know the part of your story, you had someone helping you out, putting tapes together, putting you know, the day, which is what we used. Who is who is helping you do all that? Yeah, my dad was doing all that, um, putting together all these tapes, just sending transcripts different. It was all D two's back then, Um, just sending tapes, sending transcripts, um, trying anything to to get my name out there. Um, should get me to

play college college basketball. Him and and my trainer Marcus Mason isn't then college to me too, So UM, I mean there was a bunch of stuff that happened, Like I do a workout in front of a coach and he'd be like, nah, this is not what we want. Or a team would come watch me and they said I wasn't even going enough to walk on for their team. So stuff like that. Um, it's kind of crazy looking back now, but I mean that's what I went through in um kind of made me who I am now.

Most great stories like that aren't the things that are handed to people who are sort of destined from the beginning. What is remarkable to me, and this is what I want to know. How do you, as a fifteen, sixteen, seventeen year old kid with a dream, fight through the rejection of so many people telling you it is not going to happen. Yeah, it was tough, especially that the Metro State one where they said I wasn't gonna have to walk on because I used to go to Metro

State camps as a kid. All your friends are your friends that are playing on this team. Yeah, Um, like I used to go to the games as a kid and and like with my dad and just watch it. So and Metal State was a powerhouse Division two back then. I mean they's still really good now. So, UM, I was that kind of hurt when they said I wasn't even good enough to walk on, And um, I mean that was during the season still, so it hurt a lot,

And UM, I just kept working. UM got lucky that coach Coover got the job at UCCS and kind of brought me on as basically I preferred walk on, And um, kind of all went from there. When did it start to turn for you? Probably after my senior year, going into my freshman year. I grew um a little bit. That always helped, and then I just a little bit. It was a few inches, right, Yeah, like three inches. Um, that definitely helped. UM, kind of got more athletic, UM

worked harder. UM. Everything kind of just went all into that. And then UM, each summer I just kind of kept working add something to my game. And this made me a better player every summer, and I was able to continue doing good things. You suggest eventually transfer for you, and I never got right, Yeah right, it just never haptory. Here's the funny part about the growth sport. The story was that your coach you've talked about, Coach Cover knew your dad and knew that he had had a growth

spurt fairly late and later than most kids have. Is that right? Yeah? Yeah, my dad grew late. UM, and I hit puberty late. So I was always hopeful. I mean, my knees we're hurting growing up from growing pains, and I was just hoping that one day it all clicking. I Mean, it came late, but I'm happy it came, Is there a message there everybody. Kids look at players

different ways, and everybody's gonna idolize different players. But is there a message for were the kids who are constantly being told not gonna happen for you, Your dream won't come true. It's a million to one it can't happen. Do you ever think about yourself or talk to kids who are in that spot as someone that they can look to and say, don't don't give up until they pry it from you, that there's can always be a path if you believe in it. Yeah, Um, I mean

it's always cool. I mean if you go to our locker room right now, everybody's stories a little different on how they got to the league. Um, there's not all one path to get to the n b A and um, you just kind of have to keep going, keep working, keep believing in yourself if nobody does, um, I mean even the NBA. I mean I remember telling somebody like when I was like a sop or my senior year in high school, after I committed u CCS, I was like, now I'm gonna stay there all four years, Like that's

just what I'm gonna do. Like they're like, you're gonna go one year and transfer. I'm like, no, I'm gonna be there the whole time. So, like the NBA wasn't even in my mind, but I just wanted to be the best player that I could be UM and help the team win a u CCS. So UM just kept working in and good things started happening. And then obviously I ended up transferring and everything kind of worked out for me in that aspect, but just trying to be the best me and good things started happening for me.

And the process here, Derek, is extremely accelerated, right, Like you're you're taking what some kids have from sixteen to nineteen or maybe fifteen to nineteen. Of Okay, I want to get to the n b A. I think I have a chance to get to the n b A. I'm gonna go through the college process and then get there. You're scrunching that into like a couple of years here, right, So at one point, at what point did you start to actually think this is a place that I could

get to. I could get to the n b A. When did that start to actually creep into your mind that you could make it? Uh, probably during my junior season a CCS and then after Um, when I decided to transfer. Um, I mean that's the reason why I transferred, is I felt like transferringly gave me the best abosition to get to the n b A and have my talent scene. So um, when having that conversation with my trainer and him telling me that I got a chance,

and then hearing it from all sorts of different people. UM, I mean when Chauncey told me Taunty Billips, that's when I really was like, all right, now I really got a chance if he sees it then and I must be doing something right. So um, just keep working. And UM that's when I really started believing in myself. They had to feel good, man. And it was just within a few years time. You got everyone telling you know, and now you've got everyone, including Chauncey Billups, Mr Big Shot,

telling you you can. That had to feel good. Yeah, I mean it it was crazy. I mean I've I've worked Chauncey's camp since I was in like eighth grade. Um, he had it in my hometown, so I was always work them, and UM, I remember there's times they had pickup games when um Chris Paul came to the camp and I wasn't even able to get on the court because I wasn't good enough. So um, just as the years went on, Um, the better I got. And then we had those pickup games and I was in them,

I was playing well in them. So Um, he's a long process and journey from from that point to to where I am now had to be a lot of tears on draft night, I would imagine in that family. Yeah, my dad lost it. Um. I mean he kind of lives through me, and he's so proud of me, and I mean that always means a lot to me. Um, I'm not want to be where I am here without my dad and my mom. Um, they've been rocks. They've been supporting me since I was five years old and

I first started playing basketball. Um, so just to share that moment with them, and um, it's always great to play in front of them and have them always supporting me and texting me after games and stuff. So I'm always thankful for them too. Did your dad lose it when he found out that you were getting traded to Boston too, because we know he was a Celtics fan, right, Yeah, Yeah, he was super happy. Um. Yeah, he grew up in Boston. Until he was like eight or nine. Um, die hard

Red Sox fan, Um, big time Celtics fans. So uh. I sent a picture of my jersey and he's like, just to see white on that Celtics jersey. I mean I couldn't do it, but at least my son could, So I was he was happy about that. How did his fandom like impact you growing up? I mean, did you follow the Celtics? Were you a Celtics fan at all? Because he was? Nah, I was always a Colorado fan like I was a Rockies fan, a Broncos fang fan. So um. So he didn't brainwash you, no, not quite.

But I mean sports were always on um in the house, and um, I mean that's kind of how it is now with me. Like I love all kinds of sports and my dad loves all kinds of sports, and we just talk about any any type of sport in UM. It said just that bond that we have that um no one else really has, that we can have our own little lano that no one else really the stands. But I understand him, so um, I mean that's my guy, and UM, he's kind of help shape me who I

am today. Has he been here yet see you play in the Celtics uniform. Nah, he hasn't. Um, not yet. You're gonna have to get them out here soon. I'm still in a hotel, so they gotta they're gonna have to wait for a while. And um, but once I get set on everything, then we're definitely gonna have them out and um. I was telling some of the other day that he's gonna lose his mind when he comes to a game in the garden. Just in a couple of weeks. Yeah, I'll see them when I when I

go back to Denver. Um. It's always great playing in Denver in front of the friends and family. What's the timeline to get you out of a hotel room? When are we going to get you into a real home? And we're working on it. We're working on it. I'm sure Hannah is loving that right life in the hotel. Yeah, it's tough, and we have two dogs so it makes it even tougher. But we're we're working through it. We're working don Hey, if I can help it anyway, you know,

we gotta get you out of the hotel room. You gotta get you into into a home. Yeah, it's gonna it's gonna happen here soon. Good. Hey. One thing we'd be remiss not to talk about is, um, just how much special needs and the Special Olympics and all of these things mean to you. I know, this is something that you've really dedicated a lot of your energy and your time toward, um, not only during your NBA career, but just in your life in general. And a lot

of it has to do with your aunt. Talk to us about your your aunt, Genie McManus, and um, what she has taught you in your life and and and helped to kind of motivate you to be so passionate about this. Yeah, she's a rock star. Um. I mean she always has a great attitude. I mean we have a family parties in UM, it was always special just to spend time with her, and um, just see how she handles day to day and then Especial Olympics kind

of is. She likes to swim, and it was always cool to just see that and and she's great at it, by the way, Yeah, she's better swimming than me. So UM, it's always cool to see that. And just to be more and more involved in Special Olympics and all the different things that can go into that, and um, anything to put a smile on their faces, because they always put a smile in mine and and everybody around them, Um,

just by their joy and happiness. So um, there's obviously something I'm extremely passionate about it, and we continue to do more and more with it, and um it all started from from Genie. Well, for everyone that's listening right now, I just I just gotta say, we can see the smile on your face as you talk about her, which is it's really your beam, and while you talk about her, it's really cool to see. Yeah. Um, we've always had a pretty cool um bond. Um, I mean when I

was younger. Um, I mean she doesn't let me color anymore with her, but we always had that a little special bond. Isn't one of the great joys of the job that you have been fortunate enough to earn that to see on other people's faces, what you get to do when you give back, to be able to participate

in things like that. I don't know how many times over all the years I've been doing this, and that players and coaches tell me, Man, we went to visit kids, we did a special Olympics event, We went to a hospital, and you're the one that always feels better at the

end of the day. Yeah, Um, I mean we I just did a three on three theme before I left San Antonio with the Special Olympics, And I mean just to see them playing, Um, the joy in their faces that when they make a shot or make a three, and just watching them run around, Um, you can't help but smile, and and just to feel joy and grateful for for the gifts that we have that we take for granted each and every day. UM. So just a little things like that just just make you a better

person and and everything. Um, when you go and experience that firsthand, there's one more gift that you're about to get. And I wonder how much time you spent thinking about these moments. We had to talk to Jason after one of the games he had. Jason Tatum is going to do things in this world that people will never be

able to appreciate. But one of the things that a lot of us do is when right after a game he can score forty on national TV, but his son will run to him on the court and he will pick him up and hold him and he will tell you that's the best part of his day. When you see that, does it make you even more excited for the next chapter of your life, which is going to begin as this one begins here in Boston. Yeah, I mean, UM,

that's always been cool to see. UM, just that relationship in the bond that they've um, they've developed over the years, and I'm super excited, Uh to have that bomber with my my kid and UM, try to raise them the right way, teach him things, UM, play with them, have my little buddy around all the time, and UM have them experienced things that I'm experiencing. So, UM, it's gary, but I'm super excited and UM, I can't wait for

that day. Well, listen, Derek, after the Spurs traded you to Boston, Gregg Popovich didn't talk about you the player outgoing. He talked about you the person. He just said, you're a great human being. And I think after talking to you here for about a half hour and just the way you've carried yourself through the last few weeks, we all know that the Celtics got a good player, but they got an even better person. So welcome to Boston.

We appreciate you taking the time to come on the podcast today and good luck with everything that's looming over the next couple of months for you. I know it's gonna be an exciting time but also a really fun time, and we're looking forward to, uh to being able to witness it all. Yeah, I appreciate that. Thanks for having me, Thank you for listening to you from the Raptors. Behind the Scenes with the Boston Celtics, presented by Cardless