Tatum joins Bird in NBA record books amid hot start to season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, Jayson Tatum expressed his desire to surpass Larry Bird as the greatest Boston Celtic of all time.
“Larry Bird is the best Celtic to ever wear this uniform, and that’s the guy I’m after,” he said. “Even if I fall short of that, if I aspire to be as great as him and if you fall a little short, you’ve had a hell of a career.”
Tatum still has a long way to go after winning his first NBA championship, but he continues to gain ground on Larry Legend at just 26 years old.
On Thursday, Tatum joined Bird in the NBA record books while helping the C take down the Washington Wizards and improve to 2-0. He followed his 37-point, 10-assist Opening Night performance with a 25-point, 11-rebound stat line in DC
According to Celtics stat guru Dick LipeTatum and Bird (1987) are the only two forwards in league history to have had at least 62 points, 15 rebounds, and 16 assists in the first two games of the season.
Tatum’s offseason adjustments to his shot seems to be paying off. The five-time All-Star is 22 for 38 from the floor, including 11 for 22 from 3-point range, over his first two games.
If his 3-point shooting continues to improve, it will be a tremendous development for the rest of the league. It would also help him greatly check off another item on his career to-do list: his first NBA MVP award.
Tatum and the C’s will hope to stay hot when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. Tip off for that matchup is set for 7 pm ET with coverage beginning on NBC Sports Boston at 6:30 pm with Celtics Pregame Live.
