‘It was an honor’: Jayson Tatum meets Celtics legend Larry Bird for 1st time at All-Star game
ByFrank O'Laughlin, Boston 25 News Staff
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Jayson Tatum meets Celtics legend Larry Bird for 1st time at NBA All-Star Game
ByFrank O'Laughlin, Boston 25 News Staff
INDIANAPOLIS — The modern-day superstar of the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum, met the franchise’s superstar of the past, Larry Bird, for the first time ahead of Sunday’s 73rd NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis.
Video shared on X by the NBA showed Tatum and Bird embracing ahead of tip-off
“I met Larry Bird tonight for the first time. I’ve never met Larry Bird in my life,” Tatum said. “I was anxious. So I got some juices flowing for the game right now.”
The Celtics also shared an image of Bird and Tatum on X with a caption that simply read, “Greatness.”
The Eastern Conference took down the Western Conference in the game, 211-186. Tatum contributed with 20 points for the East as Bird looked on.
“He told me he was looking forward to meeting me, and that was crazy to hear him say that,” Tatum said of Bird after the game. “He’s a lot taller than I thought he was. Obviously, what he means to the game, what he means to the city of Boston and the Celtics. He’s the ultimate Celtic, so it was an honor to meet him.”
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2024 NBA All-Star Game INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Eastern Conference All-Stars shoots the ball over Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Western Conference All-Stars in the second quarter during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
2024 NBA All-Star Game INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 17: Jason Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the 2024 AT&T Slam Dunk contest during the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
2024 NBA All-Star Game INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics speaks with the media at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
2024 NBA All-Star Game INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers and Eastern Conference All-Stars and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Eastern Conference All-Stars react in the second quarter against the Western Conference All-Stars during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
2024 NBA All-Star Game INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Eastern Conference All-Stars shoots the ball against the Western Conference All-Stars in the first quarter during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
2024 NBA All-Star Game INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Eastern Conference All-Stars is introduced prior to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
2024 NBA All-Star Game INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: Donnie Wahlberg and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Eastern Conference All-Stars meet on the court during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Tatum recently passed Bird as the Celtic with the most 30-point games through just seven seasons with Boston.
Bird averaged 24.3 points per game over 13 seasons with the Celtics. He was also named to 12 All-Star teams during that time, while also helping Boston capture three NBA championships.
Tatum has been named to five All-Star teams. He’s still seeking his first NBA title.
