Jabari Bird will be a hit in Boston because of his last name alone
By Cody Rivera
It isn’t hard to win Boston Celtics fans over if your last name is Bird.
Jabari Bird, a 24-year-old shooting guard in the Boston Celtics organization, showed in Summer League on Saturday night that he possesses some skills on the basketball court.
Bird, who was chosen by the Celtics at No. 56 in the 2017 NBA Draft, scored 24 points on a 9-for-17 shooting night against the Philadelphia 76ers summer squad.
The second-year player hopes to spend more time on the Celtics’ main roster next season after being in the G-league for most of his rookie year. And even if he doesn’t get much playing time, he will still be a major hit with Celtics fans thanks to his last name alone.
The name “Bird” hangs in the rafters of the Boston Garden along with No. 33 in honor of Larry Bird, one of the greatest basketball players in history. Larry spent 13 years with the Celtics from 1979 to 1992, winning three NBA championships, while also dominating the league in three-point shooting as well as trash-talking.
When it comes to popularity among athletes in Boston, Larry Bird is right up near the top of the list. Now thanks to young Jabari, Celtics fans get to see the name “Bird” on the parquet floor of the Boston Garden once again, and that name alone will make him wildly popular — although it is a little strange seeing the name accompanied by Jabari’s No. 26 rather than Larry’s No. 33.
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In the meantime, however, Jabari is enjoying getting the chance to show off his talents in the Vegas Summer League.
“Just try to have fun with it, that’s the main thing,” Bird said, according to the official Celtics website. “I’ve worked hard all summer, I’ve worked hard all my life, and I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves on the court. And I’m just thankful to be with a great organization right now, and they’re letting me showcase my skills.”