“Celtics have the best young duo in the league”: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown remind fans of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and the Big 3 era

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s strong start to the season is a reminder to old-time Celtics fans of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.

The Boston Celtics have not let a shortened off-season bother them much. In the absence of Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have led the Celtics to a 5-3 to begin the season.

The two recently wreaked havoc on the Toronto Raptors, as the Celtics beat the Raptors 126-114. Jayson Tatum had 40 points and 6 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown recorded 19 points and 5 rebounds.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown become the first @celtics teammates to both score 200+ points in the first 8 games of a season since Larry Bird and Kevin McHale in 1986-87. pic.twitter.com/invaxZ3ewS

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) January 5, 2021

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After tonight’s game, the Jay duo joined elite company, as they became the first Celtics duo since the ’86-87 Larry Bird and Kevin McHale duo to score 200+ each in the first 8 games of the season.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and their hot start this season

The Boston duo went off for 59 points tonight. Jayson Tatum had 40 points while shooting 11/19 from the field, and shot 5/8 from the deep. Jaylen Brown on the other hand had an off night. The 19 point showing was his second-lowest performance of the season.

Tatum has been performing at a high level this season and is averaging 26.2 points in the eight games. Jaylen Brown has been leading the Celtics and has averaged 26.9 points over the same span.

If the duo keeps performing at this level, they can take any team in the NBA and make a strong case for title contenders. With there being no certainty regarding Kemba Walker’s return, the two would have to keep bearing the load till he returns.

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The last Boston duo that had a start like this, the Bird-McHale duo, won 3 titles between 1981-1986. That means the fans would be expecting no less from these two. With the added firepower this season, they would aspire to cross the barrier of the Eastern Conference Finals, something that has stumped them 3 times in the last 4 years.