Why Spurs fans still love Derrick White

After the Celtics swept the Finals and were crowned champions, a sizable group of Spurs fans on social media and comment sections seemed to be ecstatic. Part of the reason for this can easily be attributed to the fact that the rival Mavericks were on the losing side, but there is another major factor: Derrick White.

Spurs fans still seem to love White in a way that is usually reserved for players who have spent more time in San Antonio, won titles, or both. It’s a special bond that has held up so far, and it will be interesting to see if it continues as his career progresses.

The context of White’s rise and trade to San Antonio helps explain why he’s so popular, beyond the fact that he just seems like a good guy. White was drafted before the Spurs’ bleakest season in decades, when the Kawhi Leonard drama led to a first-round exit for a team dreaming of success, followed by Manu Ginobili’s retirement and Leonard’s trade. White was a supporting role his rookie year, but as a sophomore he took the reins, filling in as starting point guard for the injured Dejounte Murray and putting in a standout performance in a first-round exit to the Nuggets. Quiet but confident, and always selfless and humble, White embodied hope and continuity at a time when Spurs fans were looking for it.

The aftermath of his transfer also helped endear White to Spurs fans. Since his departure did not generate controversy like Dejounte Murray or Kawhi Leonard did, his image is not tarnished and one can appreciate the memories without reservations. His behavior after his transfer also played a big role. White has never made bombastic statements and is apparently loved by his teammates and grateful to the team that drafted him. The contrast with the more controversial Murray worked in his favor. He was also a winner. For people struggling with the rebuild, seeing White succeed without compromising any of the qualities that made him a Spurs player in the first place was a relief from the constant reminder that San Antonio was losing, and allowed for some indirect sense of pride.

Coincidentally, it’s White’s success that may keep him from being closely linked to the Spurs in the future, at least by outsiders. The seven-game first-round loss to Denver isn’t that memorable for a player who played for and played a major role in an NBA champion. White has also played more minutes in Boston than he did with the Spurs, and while his numbers with the Celtics were eerily similar to those in San Antonio, it feels like he took a huge leap by not being as successful in San Antonio as he could have through no fault of his own. If he gets a contract extension as reported and plays a few more years in Boston, White will be inextricably linked to the Celtics.

At the same time, the Spurs are now entering a rebuilding phase where attention will turn inward. It was easy to cheer for the success of former members of the franchise when San Antonio was stuck in mediocrity or regrouping because championships were out of reach. But if Victor Wembanyama continues to develop as expected and the front office makes good additions this offseason, that could soon change. White’s Celtics are in the East and have already reached the highest heights, so they aren’t necessarily viewed as rivals, but at some point they will get in the Spurs’ way. And fans will be more concerned with finding the next White than celebrating the originals.

That time hasn’t come yet, thankfully. For now, White is still someone his Day 1 fans can be indirectly proud of, and at least a small part of his success can be attributed to the Spurs. He’s also unlikely to squander the goodwill of the loyal Silver and Black fans like previous fan favorites like Stephen Jackson and, to a lesser extent, Dejounte Murray did, meaning his time in San Antonio will continue to be fondly remembered.

As the Spurs hopefully continue to work toward a title shot, fans’ loyalty to White will naturally wane somewhat, but the new players will have big shoes to fill. Like George Hill and Patty Mills before him, White’s talent and character left a lasting impression in San Antonio, and becoming the new favorite won’t be easy.