Comparing Bird's 60-point game to Tatum's 51-point outing is revealing

Quickly, how many rebounds and assists did Larry Bird have in his 60-point explosion versus the Hawks? The answer is "less than Tatum" in both categories. Here's the breakdown.

Bird: 42 minutes - 60 points - 7 rebounds - 3 assists - 61% FG - 25% 3s - 94% FT

Tatum: 33 minutes - 51 points - 10 rebounds - 7 assists - 64% FG - 64% 3s - 100% FT

Surprised? In the Hawks game, Dennis Johnson racked up 17 assists and Danny Ainge had 13 dimes. We can only guess how many of those feeds went in Larry's direction.

This is in no way meant to demean the feat of a player I place top-5, all-time NBA, Larry Bird. But rather to point out that the negative comments aimed towards Jayson have to do with his "point padding", selfishness and unwillingness to pass the ball.

For Jayson Tatum to put up these numbers in 33 minutes with such shooting efficiency while still garnering 10 boards and seven assists is extraordinary. I believe that is what I meant when I labeled him as "transcendent" and wrote the following on January 7:

Jayson Tatum is transcendent - can score at will in so many ways - has become a fierce rebounder and willing (and adept) facilitator. Last night, he had nine assists and six boards to go with his 36 points with 57% and 54% accuracy from the field and beyond the arc, respectively.

This kid has FRANCHISE written all over him.

Comments

The Elm Street Nightmare

A true-and-suspenseful horror tale of haunting, homicides and the hunt for triple-murderer, Daniel Laplante - as told by the cops that were there By Lt. Thomas Lane (Ret.) Daniel Laplante - cold, calm, clever, calculating- Photo: YouTube Elm Street surfaces on six (6) occasions in the Laplante saga: 1.) He resided on Elm Street in Townsend, Massachusetts 2.) He kidnapped a woman at gunpoint on Elm Street, Pepperell , Massachusetts 3.) That kidnapped woman fled to the Gillogly residence on Elm Street after escaping from the armed fugitive, Laplante. 4.) He was arrested and transported to Massachusetts State Police Barracks on Elm Street in Concord . 5.) He was tried, convicted and sentenced for the murders at Superior Court , corner of Elm Stree t and Gorham Street, Lowell, Massachusetts. 6.) The author, Thomas Lane, lived on Elm Steet, Pepperell, Massachusetts while a police Sgt./Lt. for the t...

In defense of Marcus Smart

Let me make it clear first of all that I am totally against making a threat of any kind that even hints at harming, or certainly killing, another human being. Marcus Smart was wrong in doing so in the Celtics loss to the tanking Oklahoma City Thunder , and he deserved the one-game suspension. But to be honest, part of me loved that it occurred. . This type of thing can happen when a player gets to a point "beyond frustration" and is having a bad game. Marcus and his teammates have been under-performing generally - were in the process of losing to a pathetic-and-tanking Thunder team - and Smart was having a bad game . And he let loose verbally at the closest target - an NBA official. Wilt Chamberlain did a similar act versus referee, Earl Strom when Wilt was having his usual tortuous time at the free throw line (per Chicago Tribune's Sam Smith): ''He was in one of those 1-for-13s,'' recalls referee Earl Strom. ''Nothing was getting close. S...

Did the Celtics Kevin McHale really have a wingspan of 8-feet?

According to many sources, the Celtics Kevin McHale did indeed have an estimated wingspan of 8-feet. One of those sources is Wikipedia, as seen below: Kevin McHale American basketball player DescriptionKevin Edward McHale is an American retired basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Boston Celtics. He is a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and is regarded as one of the best power forwards of all time. He was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Wikipedia Born: December 19, 1957 (age 61 years), Hibbing, MN Wingspan: 8′ 0″ Height: 6′ 10″ Spouse: Lynn McHale (m. 1982) NBA draft: 1980, Boston Celtics (Round: 1 / Pick: 3) Hall of fame induction: 1999 Number: 32 (Boston Celtics / Power forward, Center) Kevin was listed at 6'10" tall when he was drafted with the 3rd pick in the 1980 draft. Red Auerbach, in yet another heist, brought in both McHale and center Robert Parish (via trade) prior to the Celtics' 1980-81 Champion...

Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

Search This Blog