Derrick White's pre-bald and post-bald disparity is staggering

For most men, being "follically blessed" would entail having a full head of hair and never experiencing baldness. But in Celtics guard Derrick White's case, losing hair has been a blessing in disguise. 

After becoming the butt of jokes for his receding hairline last year, White entered the 2023-24 season with a shiny bald head. During the preseason media day, the Colorado native said he was "trying something new" when asked about his new look. 

Since embracing his baldness, White has seen a steady uptick in his production, finishing the regular season with the best plus-minus (+8.5) for the Celtics and emerging as the team's best two-way player. White was also second in 3PM (2.7 per game) behind only Jayson Tatum (3.1 per game). The former Spur also led the Celtics in several nerdy advanced stats that gauge a player's impact on the floor.  

Even more impressively, bald White has been unstoppable in the ongoing playoffs, emerging as Boston's second-best player and on some nights, its best overall player. 

The proof is in the baldness.