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Jayson Tatum: 'An Honor' to Meet Celtics Legend at All-Star Game

Jayson Tatum had a child-look enthusiasm while discussing the encounter between Boston Celtics greats past and present.
Bobby Krivitsky|
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

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Before the 2024 NBA All-Star Game got underway, Jayson Tatum shared with Jamal Crawford that Sunday in Indianapolis, Indiana, he met three-time league MVP, three-time champion, and Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird.

The five-time All-Star couldn't contain his child-like enthusiasm as he discussed their encounter, telling Crawford, "I met Larry Bird tonight for the first time. I never met Larry Bird in my life. So, I got to meet him, and that just gave me, like, I was anxious, so I've got some juices flowing for the game right now."

A year after scoring a record 55 points in the league's marquee exhibition contest, the 2023 NBA All-Star Game MVP finished with 20 points, three assists, three rebounds, a steal, and a block in the Eastern Conference's 211-186 win.

After the victory, Tatum, still beaming, expounded on the interaction between Boston Celtics greats past and present.

"I got a chance to go meet him and tell him how much of an honor it was to meet him, and he told me he was looking forward to meeting me. That was crazy to hear him say that...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."

The St. Louis, Missouri native has already earned three All-NBA selections, two as a member of the First Team, and led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals four times in his first six years in the Association.

For all that he's accomplished before turning 26, Tatum's well on his way to having his jersey hang in the TD Garden rafters. How his career stacks up to the other legends, like Bird, whose numbers already rest there, is a matter of how many championships he places up there with him.

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Addresses Discourse Around His MVP Candidacy

Jaylen Brown Doesn't Win Dunk Contest but Delivers Most Poignant Moment

Kristaps Porzingis Shares How First Season with Celtics Compares to His Expectations: 'Haven't Stopped Smiling'

Jayson Tatum's Approach vs. Nets Tale of Two Halves and Steadfast Commitment

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Celtics' Motivations for Xavier Tillman Trade

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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