Derrick White Predicts 'Well Deserved' Honor For Celtics' Joe Mazzulla originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Derrick White expects Joe Mazzulla to receive a major recognition.

The NBA named Mazzulla one of three finalists for the Coach of the Year award. He's alongside J.B. Bickerstaff and Mitch Johnson after leading the Boston Celtics to 56 wins in what many considered a gap year.

Mazzulla has made it clear he's not interested in the accolade, but White thinks his coach will win. The Celtics guard indicated little doubt over the Coach of the Year outcome when discussing why Mazzulla disdains individual awards, per WEEI's Justin Turpin.

“He doesn't like the attention on him and making it about himself," White said on Monday. "But, obviously, he has done an amazing job this year, and when he wins it, it’ll be well deserved."

White notably said "when" rather than "if." While he likely is speculating rather than spoiling, early indicators suggest White could be right.

Max Croes has tracked all publicly released NBA awards ballots. Mazzulla has received 18 of 25 confirmed first-place votes for Coach of the Year.

That news probably doesn't matter to Mazzulla, who has previously called Coach of the Year a "stupid award." He expanded on the stance Monday, via Celtics Blog's Noa Dalzell.

"I haven't made one basket all year," Mazzulla said. "Our staff hasn't made a basket. We haven't gotten a block. We haven't ran back on defense. We didn't play in a back-to-back. We didn't have to play hurt. We haven't really done (expletive).

"So, if you don't have the guys to be able to put you in position, it doesn't really matter. I’m just grateful – the greatest gift I have is I get to coach a bunch of guys that care about winning and being a part of the culture that we have."

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