Has Nikola Jokic passed Boston’s Larry Bird in all-time rankings?

How far apart are their levels of play at their peak, and whose was higher? 

Is it blasphemy to say that Denver Nuggets star big man Nikola Jokic has passed Hall of Fame Boston Celtics small forward Larry Bird in the ranking of all-time NBA greats? Once, it would have been unthinkable to even mention Jokic in the same breath as the Kick From French Lick, but across the league, more and more commentators see the parallels between their games. All that’s left for Jokic is a few more titles to matchup in terms of accomplishments.

But how far apart are their levels of play at their peak, and whose was higher?

On a recent episode, the hosts of the CLNS Media “NBA History and Storytellers” podcast, this scandalous question came up.

Check out the debate above!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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On this day: Bird goes for 32 points, Tatum 33 more, and IT for 33; Vaughn passes

Feb. 26 has long been a big day for scorers on the Celtics.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, three scoring greats of the storied franchise had games of note on the offensive side of the court dating all the way back to the late 1980s.

The first of the three scoring fiestas in question was put together by Boston’s iconic Hall of Fame small forward Larry Bird. He exploded on a hapless Milwaukee Bucks squad visiting the Celtics at the old Boston Garden on this date in Boston, Massachusetts in 1988. The Bucks would lose in no small part due to The Hick from French Lick’s (as Bird was sometimes called affectionately) scoring in a massive, 132-96 blowout.

Bird hung 32 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, and a block on the Bucks, hitting 13-of-20 field goal attempts and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc that night, leading all scorers.

The best of Boston Celtics icon Larry Bird at the All-Star Game

Imagine All-Star games with defense as well as scoring — we swear they happened.

The NBA’s 2024 All-Star Week may now be behind us, but our memories of it — both good and bad — will stay with us forever. And when it comes to Hall of Fame Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, there are some seriously impressive memories to look back on.

With all the talk about the NBA All Star Game being another bust this season, plus Larry Bird resurfacing to meet Jayson Tatum, we thought it only logical that young fans would be curious about just how good Bird was. CLNS Media’s Nick Gelso also spends some time talking with CLNS reporter Bobby Manning on how the All-Star game has really fallen apart.

To see some of the best of the Hick From French Lick playing in All-Star Games from his era, check out the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics fans need to stop saying Jayson Tatum isn’t clutch

It’s also not fair to blame him for not meeting Larry Bird until All-Star Week.

The NBA All Star Game always have an over lining theme of nostalgia. The event is not only the greatest compilation of current NBA talent, but it also reunites more NBA legends, in one city for a long weekend. For many, it’s absolutely basketball bliss.

CLNS Media sent two reporters and a camera crew to cover the star-studded event for 2024. Needless to say that when it was apparent that Hall of Fame Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird would headline the entire week, more than a few Boston fans felt a twinge of envy for those in attendance. CLNS’ Nick Gelso sat down with reporter Bobby Manning to talk about the Jayson Tatum meeting with Bird and all things All-Star on a recent episode.

They also discuss the impact being around Larry Legend had on the all star players, especially our Celtics, Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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On this day: Giddens debut; Rajon Rondo, Gene Kaftan born; Dennis Johnson passes

On this day in Celtics history, J.R. Giddens debuted for the team, Larry bird scored 36 points and 14 rebounds, and Robert Parish 26 and 17.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, small forward Justin Ray “J.R” Giddens made his debut for the team in 2009.

Picked up by the Celtics with the 30th overall pick of the 2008 NBA draft out of the University of New Mexico, Giddens would spend much of his first season with the defending champions. He played for the team’s developmental affiliate at that time — the Utah Flash — in the D League (as the G League was known at that time)). The Oklahoma City native would play his first minutes at the NBA level came in a 128-108 win over the Phoenix Suns on the road.

Giddens went scoreless in a minute and a half of play.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were awestruck meeting Boston Celtics icon Larry Bird

Tatum and Brown met the Celtics Hall of Fame legend for the very first time.

Star Boston Celtics forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown met the Celtics Hall of Fame legend, Larry Bird for the very first time at 2024 NBA All Star Weekend as Bird emceed events at the annual week of exhibition fun. It was held in Indianapolis, where The Hick From French Lick has been a fixture as a member of the Indiana Pacers organization.

In a rare human moment for Tatum and Brown, the two current Boston stars were completely awestruck when seeing and meeting Larry Legend (though Brown would later admit he only saw Bird from afar). It was truly an NBA history moment for the ages, unfolding before all of our very eyes.

The folks behind the CLNS Media Garden Report captured some of the responses to the meeting for posterity.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear for yourself how they reacted.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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On Boston’s Jayson Tatum meeting Larry Bird for the first time

You have thought it, and we have too — it is a little weird that Hall of Fame Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird just met star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.

You have thought it, and we have too — it is a little weird that Hall of Fame Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird just met star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum at this year’s All-Star Game in Indianapolis. But the two Boston icons have finally crossed paths, with Tatum surprised and honored that The Hick From French Lick was looking forward to it.

The St. Louis native related that the encounter left him a bit star struck, noting that Larry Legend is “a lot taller than I thought he was” when speaking to the media about meeting Bird at the All-Star Week festivities.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast took a closer look at the pair of Boston greats finally crossing paths on a recent episode.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear their thoughts on the meeting!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jayson Tatum on meeting Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird

“He’s a lot taller than I thought he was,” said Tatum.

You would think that the best player to suit up for the Boston Celtics in modern history would have met the player most likely to overtake his many records. But the NBA’s 2024 All-Star Game turned out to be the first-ever meeting between Boston icon Larry Bird and All-NBA Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.

“I got a chance to go meet him and tell him how much of an honor it was to meet him,” said Tatum via The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. “He told me he was looking forward to meeting me. So that was crazy to hear him say that.”

“He’s a lot taller than I thought he was,” added the St. Louis native, who is no short man himself at 6-foot-8 officially.

“But obviously what he means to the game, what he means to the city of Boston and the Celtics, he’s the ultimate Celtic,” said Tatum of meeting Larry Legend.

And certainly not a bad role model if you happen to start breaking his records before you even hit your prime.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jayson Tatum finally met Larry Bird at the NBA All-Star Game despite years of playing for the Celtics

How is this the first time that Jayson Tatum and Larry Bird ever met?!

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game was an especially special night for Jayson Tatum because he got a chance to meet Larry Bird for the first time.

Even though Tatum has played for the Celtics since he was drafted by the team back in 2017, the five-time All-Star forward apparently had never had a chance to meet perhaps the greatest player in franchise history.

Tatum was drafted by the Celtics nearly seven years ago. But on Saturday in Indiana, where Bird was born and raised, this was the first time that the two forwards ever crossed paths.

During a conversation with TNT’s Jamal Crawford, the NBA’s reigning All-Star Game MVP reflected on his interaction with Bird.

“I ain’t gonna lie. I met Larry Bird tonight for the first time. I never met Larry Bird in my life. So I got to meet him. I was anxious.”

Tatum added that he had “some juices flowing” for the game after that conversation.

Bird and Tatum are the only Boston players to ever record more than 25 games with at least 40 points, per StatMuse.

Tatum was, fittingly, the first player to ever win the Larry Bird Trophy awarded to the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Larry Bird wins Legend of the Year Award at NBA All-Star Weekend

Larry Bird was named the 2024 Legend of the Year at the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.

Boston Celtics legend and Indiana native Larry Bird was named the 2024 Legend of the Year by the NBA’s Retired Players Association. Bird won three titles with the Celtics before joining the Indiana Pacers as a coach and executive. He is regarded as one of the best to ever play basketball at both the college and professional level.

The award was given to Bird during the Legend’s Brunch as part of 2024 All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. Affectionately known as the “Hick from French Lick,” winning the award in his home state is a special feat for a player who has brought tremendous pride to the region. Bird spoke about what winning the award meant to him after the event.

“It’s always good to get recognized,” Bird said. “It’s just an honor.”