Jayson Tatum Talks About Meeting Celtics Legend Larry Bird For First Time

Jayson Tatum met Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird for the first time in Indiana during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and it was an incredible experience for the Duke product. 

Bird is one of the best players in Celtics franchise history, while Tatum is establishing himself as a Boston great. 

"I never met Larry Bird… as crazy as that sounds… he told me he was looking forward to meeting me, that was crazy to hear." pic.twitter.com/uhOOIN2qcl

— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2024

Bird spent his entire NBA career with the Celtics. He averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks in the regular season and 23.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks in the playoffs. 

A Hall of Famer, Bird made 12 All-Star teams, 10 All-NBA teams and three All-Defensive teams during his career. The Indiana native won three regular-season MVPs, three championships and two Finals MVPs. 

Bird is the Celtics’ all-time leader in triple-doubles, offensive win shares and value over replacement player. The NBA icon is second in Boston franchise history in field goals, seventh in 3-point field goals, fourth in free throws, fourth in total rebounds, third in assists, second in steals, second in points per game and third in points.

Bird’s No. 33 hangs in the rafters at the Boston Garden. 

The Celtics drafted Tatum with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Tatum is averaging 23.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks with Boston. 

A five-time All-Star, Tatum is averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks this season while shooting 47.5% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 82.4% from the free-throw line. The Celtics have the best record in the NBA at 43-12. 

For Tatum to become a Celtics legend like Bird, the St. Louis native has to win a title. Many people believe Boston can win the championship this season with Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis leading the way.