Exclusive: Celtics Star Guard Derrick White Joins Toucher & Hardy

On Thursday's edition of Toucher & Hardy, Celtics guard Derrick White joined the show from Celtics media day. White discussed his dental situation following the 20204 NBA Finals, and the feeling both winning a gold medal and a NBA title in a span of a few months.

Hardy: You're a supremely fit guy. I imagine you're very, very careful about what you put in your body. Having said that, did you ask for anything to help you sit through a three hour dental visit? What can you give me any type of sedation, any, any type of anything you got? I would be asking for it and taking it.

Derrick White: Yeah, they. They numbed me up pretty good.

Hardy: That's it?

Derrick White: Couldn't even feel my top lift for, like, a couple of hours after I was there. So, yeah, it was an interesting feeling for sure.

Hardy: Safe to say all worth it, though, for everything that you went through. Bloodied in battle this year to to win the championship like you guys did, and then to have this summer that you've had. I mean, I, I don't know that it feels like it's worth it when you're sitting in that dentist chair for a few hours. But, you know, the casualties of war, so to speak.

Derrick White: Yeah, for sure. Like I said, I'll do anything for a championship. Hopefully I won't have to do that again, but I'm willing to if I have too.

Wallach: Have you been able to process what has happened to you basketball wise over the last year? A lot of firsts for you. Your first championship, and your first gold medal. Getting some experience playing with some of the best players on the planet. Was there a period of time after it was over, where you just sat back and went, " Oh my god did all of that really happen?"

Derrick White: I mean, after the championship, you kind of relax for a little bit and think, "that was crazy." Like, this is what you dreamed about as a kid and then just getting that call up to to join that team in the Olympics was a once in a lifetime experience. To just go out there and just learn from some of the legends of the game, and some of the best players in the game right now. It was just a lot of fun, and then you get the gold and you kind of realize like what that means, the significance of that. So, my boys been calling me 'Champ Olympian' all summer, and, it's been cool.

The defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics have made waves all offseason with GM Brad Stevens resigning just about the entire title winning team over the summer. Stevens struck again on Wednesday night with the signing of 25-year old Lonnie Walker IV. Walker is a 6'4 shooting guard who can play the 3 when asked, last season Walker averaged 9.7 points and shot 38% on three-pointers in 58 games for the Brooklyn Nets.

While some casual NBA fans will say, so what the NBA Champs added Lonnie Walker the roster was loaded already this isn't really a major move. I would agree with the sentiment but when you factor in just how much basketball this group has played over the last few seasons. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown making deep playoff runs every year the deeper the bench the better for Boston's chances of repeating.

The Celtics were able to retain just about all of their players from last season but did lose Oshae Brissett and I believe Walker to be an upgrade over Brissett. Walker is a better shooter which we know Joe Mazzulla loves. His ability to spread the floor and be a consistent threat from outside is an upgrade over Brissett who was a .273 shooter from beyond the arc last season.

So while on the surface this is a very marginal move for the Celtics. Any move that bolsters the roster for a team looking to repeat as NBA champions is welcomed. The more rest they can give their stars throughout the season the more well rested they should be for another deep playoff run.

Listen to Joe Murray 7-11 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow on X @JoeyMurr and Instagram @ImJoeMurray to keep up with the show!