LeBron James Using Derrick White's Story To Motivate His Sons Is Both Awesome And Clearly A Desperate Attempt To Get Him On The Lakers

Nathaniel S. Butler. Getty Images.

When you think of all the players in the NBA, how many would you say have a universal approval rating? I'm talking about a guy that not a single player or fanbase can say a single negative thing about. You can probably count the number of players that fits that description on one hand, and you may not even need all your fingers.

One of those players is without a doubt Derrick White. Who hates Derrick White? I mean, you may hate him while he buries your favorite team with dagger 3PM after dagger 3PM, but that's normal sports frustration. But outside of that? He's about as universally loved as it gets. Not only is he a fantastic player, but he's an even better person. 

Now I understand that as a Celtics fan, I'm slightly biased, but it's also the truth. Nobody hates Derrick White because it's impossible to hate Derrick White. No ego, elite talent, plays hard as shit every second he's on the floor, plays both ends, is unselfish, the list goes on and on. Not only that, he's also inspirational. Don't believe me? Fine, just listen to LeBron

Derrick White man, so inspirational.

Nobody thought Derrick White would turn into the player we see today. Well, maybe Pop and Brad Stevens, but that's about it. He's a player who had to go the hard route, didn't have any hype and built who he is as a player through determination and hard work. Now? He's one of the most valuable two way players in the entire league

He's the exact player every single basketball player should try and mold themselves after in pretty much every way, so it's no surprise this is the example LeBron used to motivate his sons. That's a ball knower if I've ever seen one, and he's not alone. Plenty of NBA players have been open about wanting to be Derrick White

and I couldn't agree more. Everyone in life should aspire to be like Derrick White.

At the same time, my Spidey senses are also tingling. Given the fact that we know LeBron uses this podcast to help build the Lakers, I'd kindly like him to stop. This tells me that LeBron wants DWhite on the Lakers, and that's going to be a big time no for me.

There is no potential trade package that the Lakers could offer that would entice me as the Celtics. I don't care about their unprotected picks, I don't care about any of their trash players, I don't care about lowering the Celtics' 2nd apron tax bill. I know what LeBron is really doing in that clip, and I am here to officially rebuke it. You live with trying to form a decent defense with Luka/Austin Reaves on the perimeter and you fucking like it. If you want perimeter defense, go trade for Jrue Holiday, but you keep your hands off Derrick White. He is not for sale for anything the Lakers possess.

So on one hand, I'm happy to see Derrick White is getting the respect he deserves and that more and more people view him how many if not every Celtics fan does. I'm also onto LeBron and what he's most likely trying to do here, and I don't like that one bit.

You never know with Brad Stevens (see: Jrue Holiday trade), but DWhite feels like a player you ride until the wheels fall off and not someone you send to the Lakers of all teams. I trust Brad to make the right decision.