Preseason was a great experiment for the Boston Celtics, especially head coach Joe Mazzulla. Instead of approaching preseason as he normally would, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year implemented a twist into all four of the Celtics' games. One of those surprises included a new role for guard Derrick White, who was handed a clipboard and told to draw up a play for the Celtics only a few moments before tipoff on Saturday, Oct. 10.
White wasn't prepared for this sudden switch, but he decided to open up Boston's preseason showdown with the rival Philadelphia 76ers by calling something for first-year Celtics Paul George and Mitchell Robinson. The play didn't exactly go as planned, as White said he failed to free up enough space for the two Celtics making
their TD Garden debuts.
Derrick White said that right before the Celtics’ preseason game against Philly (@ TD Garden), Joe Mazzulla told him to draw up the first play.
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) October 19, 2026
“It could’ve been better…I just turned it into an iso.”
White only had 1 minute to come up with something. The second clip is the… pic.twitter.com/WvkCtX5X7u
"I didn't have a whole lot of time to think of a play," White recalled on his "White Noise" podcast. "I was just like, 'We got to get them involved.' Now my mind has been going on how I could have made it better and the little things I would have changed to it."
This improvised decision wasn't a failure, though. George ended up having an opportunity in isolation against Sixers forward Justin Edwards. The nine-time All-Star pulled up and attempted a jumper over Edwards, however, the 20-foot shot bounced off the back of the rim.
From there, Boston's starters controlled the game and helped put together a double-digit lead at halftime. The Celtics went on to dominate the 76ers, 144-106, to improve to 2-0 in preseason play.
In the prior preseason contest, Mazzulla had Celtics assistants Tony Dobbins and D.J. MacLeay assume head coaching duties versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. He let an assistant coach take charge again last Friday, with former Celtics champion Sam Cassell acting as head coach while guiding Boston to a 125-120 overtime win over the 76ers.
The unexpected coaching appearances don't end there. First-year Celtic and NBA veteran Mike Conley controlled his teammates' substitution patterns and rotations when the C's faced the Charlotte Hornets last Wednesday.
Joe Mazzulla on Paul George and Mike Conley Jr.:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) September 15, 2026
“They’ve been through the wars of an NBA season.”
“I think they'll make us better. They'll make me better.” pic.twitter.com/jUWpkP4SEY
These routine changes — all suggested by Mazzulla in one way or another — didn't seem to mix the Celtics up. In fact, they went a perfect 4-0 in preseason and received solid production from starters, benchwarmers, and reserve players.
Don't be surprised if Mazzulla tweaks the Celtics' modus operandi several times over the course of the upcoming regular season, which begins Tuesday, October 20, when Boston squares off with the Detroit Pistons on the road.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Derrick White shares how Joe Mazzulla had him calling plays for Celtics in preseason
