Derrick White’s defense has been a revelation. On a team filled with offense-first guards, his ability to hold his own against any perimeter player in the league is as crucial as it is unique. There’s no one else on the (healthy) roster who can provide even half of his defensive value. Unlike Beyonce’s fictional boyfriend, he is irreplaceable.
That alone makes him one of the most important perimeter defenders in the league, and it shows up in simple on/off numbers. The Spurs’ defense is 4.3 points better per 100 possessions with Derrick on the court, a number that compares favorably with many of the other top defensive guards in the league.