Tag: Larry Bird

Jayson Tatum’s scorching hot February on level of all-time greats

Jayson Tatum just turned in one of the best scoring months in league history.

According to StatMuse (first noted by Tucker Boynton of Stats Over Storylines), Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is the first player since Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry to average at least 30 points per game while shooting at least 48% from 3-point range (on a minimum of 50 3-point attempts).

He’s the fourth player to do so in the last 35 seasons, as he joins NBA icons Michael Jordan and Larry Bird (along with Curry) after what was the most impressive month of his professional career. The third-year pro averaged 30.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in February, shooting 49.4% from the field, 48.1% percent from three and 76.9% from the free-throw line.

Tatum’s excellent month also resulted in him becoming the fifth Celtics player to average at least 30 points in a month, putting him in league with Bird, Paul Pierce, John Havlicek and Isaiah Thomas.

It’s been a breakout season for the St. Louis native, with his eye-popping numbers at such a young age making many wonder what level of dominance he can achieve when he reaches his prime. Just 21-years-old, the former third overall pick was just named to his first All-Star game this season.

He’s set to become one of the future faces of the league, not just the Celtics, with his play. Even the league’s premier players — from Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal to Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James — taking notice.

Tatum is now averaging 23.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks per game this season while shooting 45.0% from the field, 39.6% from 3-point range and 81.6% from the charity stripe. His scoring average, steal average and 3-point percentage are team-highs.

With Boston posed to make a legitimate run in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, for this season and beyond, Tatum continuing to play at such a high level is key to the team’s short-term and long-term success. Although he has a ways to go to leave the mark on the franchise that Bird or even Pierce did, the sky is the limit for the young man.

Jayson Tatum is the fifth Celtic to average 30 points in a month

The month of February was filled with scoring for Celtics star Jayson Tatum

February was the month Jayson Tatum launched himself into the upper echelon of the NBA’s elite.

A first-time All-Star this season, Tatum has etched his name into Boston Celtics history, joining some of the franchise’s all-time greats. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Tatum is now the fifth player in team history to average 30 points a game in one month, with a minimum of 10 games played.

With Tatum achieving the milestone, he joined Larry Bird, Isaiah Thomas, Paul Pierce and the late John Havlicek as the only players to accomplish the feat.

According to NBA.com stats, Tatum scored 30.7 points per game in February. He is turning 22 years old on Tuesday, and as a third-year forward, his ceiling is still rising. This season he’s the Celtics’ leading scorer and is averaging a career-high 23.5 points per game.

Tatum played some of the best games of his young career in February. His performance against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 13 was one of the best from a player this season. Tatum scored 39 points and shot 50% from the 3-point line to lead the Celtics to a 141-133 double overtime win.

With Tatum emerging as arguably the Celtics’ best player, he has the potential to lead them deep into the playoffs. The Celtics will play the Brooklyn Nets in Boston on Tuesday, with tip off set for 7:30 p.m.

[lawrence-related id=30065,30057,29970,29924]

RICK CARLISLE, Dallas Mavericks coach, …

RICK CARLISLE, Dallas Mavericks coach, 60 years old, 188 games over five seasons, retired in 1990 The last pickup game I played in was in 2000. This was a pretty compelling thing to observe if you’re any kind of historian. It was me, Derrick McKey, Chris Mullin and Larry Bird against Al Harrington, Jonathan Bender, Jeff Foster and Zan Tabak. We played a three-game series. It was tied 1-1. In the third game, Bird came off a screen on the right side, caught and shot a 17-footer high above Jeff Foster’s outreached hand. The ball went straight up in the air and straight through the basket without touching the rim at all. Larry and I looked at each other and basically said, ‘We’re done with this after today.’ The game-winner will probably never be able to be topped. Plus, physically, playing against those guys, Foster was so strong and so dynamic that it was dangerous being out there. Larry and I both realized it. That was the last time I ever did it. And I’m positive that was the last time he did it too. I was 41 at the time.

Ex-Celtic Dominique Wilkins recalls Larry Bird’s epic trash talking

Former Boston Celtics forward Dominique Wilkins recalls the legendary trash talk leveled by Larry Bird at opponents as sought whatever advantage he could get.

Former Boston Celtics forward Dominique Wilkins recently appeared on the nationally syndicated Dan Patrick show, a popular staple of sports talk radio, and related his two favorite trash talkers during his time in the game.

One of the duo was fellow Celtics alumnus Larry Bird, who ‘Nique held in high regard for his ability to get under his opponents’ skin, even Wilkins’.

The nine-time All-Star recalled how the pair first met when Wilkins was a rookie, stating, “Larry was an unbelievable competitor.”

“The first time I played him in the Boston Garden, I go to shake his hand, and he puts his hands behind his back. I’m like, ‘Oh, OK?'”

Thinking maybe Bird was trying to get into a game mindset, Wilkins paid it no mind. He continued, “The first play of the game, he says, ‘You don’t even belong in this league,’ and he hits a three. He did it again on the second time down.”

Angry at the taunt, Wilkins started to attack.

“I jump and he jumps. I got him, and I dunked it on him. I’m talking at him. I’m talking crap. He said, ‘I like you, you’ve got heart.’ Except he didn’t say heart.”

“[Then he said], ‘I’m still getting 40 on you tonight’.”

That exchange summed up Larry Bird’s competitive nature and in-game approach that made him such a consistent threat. He was able to size up an opponent and pick at their weak spots both in their game and in their head in ways which infuriated many into making costly mistakes.

While the pair would share time as Celtics in their Hall of Fame careers, they were always on opposing teams while in the league. And hearing tidbits like this from their time in the league is a treat for those of us old enough to remember watching the pair face off on the court.

As well as a potential tool for the next generation to try sharpening.

[lawrence-related id=24777,23457,20246]

Larry Bird was one of the the city’s …

Larry Bird was one of the the city’s biggest advocates for an NBA All-Star Game return. The last time Indy hosted, Bird played in the game representing the Boston Celtics. “Back in 1985, there wasn’t nearly as much to it,” said Bird, now a consultant with the Pacers front office, after the city landed the event. “Now, the All-Star game is a spectacle. Every venue we have Downtown will be full. People will be excited, I think it will be fantastic. We’re going to put on a great show.”

James Harden has the most 40-10-5 games of last 50 seasons

Houston Rockets star James Harden now has the most 40-10-5 games in the past 50 seasons.

Houston Rockets star James Harden keeps on putting himself among the greats in the record books.

Harden scored a game-high 40 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished nine assists in the Rockets’ 117-109 win Sunday over the New Orleans Pelicans.

According to Justin Kubatko of Stat Muse, Harden now has the most games of scoring at least 40 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and tallying five assists of the past 50 seasons. He leads the NBA with 26 such games, with Russell Westbrook in second place with 25 games.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan round out the rest of the top six.

This season Harden has six games where he’s posted the stat line. He is averaging 35.7 points per game on 43.6% shooting from the field. Harden is also shooting 36.0% from the 3-point line.

With Harden staking his spot at first in this group, it shows how he is one of the most complete playmakers of the modern era. During the 2016-17 season, Harden led the league in assists per game. Harden is seventh in assists among active players. According to NBA.com, Harden ranks ninth among guards for rebounds per game.

Harden and the Rockets will play the Charlotte Hornets in Houston on Tuesday.

[lawrence-related id=23774,23763,23716,23695]

50 superstar athletes who played for one team in their careers

Kobe Bryant and other great athletes who played for one franchise in their storied careers.

Kobe Bryant spent his entire career as a Los Angeles Laker. He never wore anything other than the purple and gold. What other superstar athletes played for one team in their great careers?

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
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