Bob Kusi is a Celtic legend who played for Celtics for 13 seasons, averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 boards and 7.6 assists per game, and in the March 1953 game, 24 years and 22 days Of Cusi shot 10 of 22, 32 of 30, and fired 50 points, creating a Celtics record for the youngest Mr. 50+ in team history, a record that has been 68 years old, and even Bird has not been able to break it (Bird was 26 years and 113 days when he first shot 50+). But today it was broken by Tatum.
Tatum played 41 minutes in today's Celtics vs Timberwolves, shooting 16-of-25 (6-of-10 on three-pointers), 15-of-16 from the free throw line, blasting 53 points, 10 boards and 4 assists, leading the Celtics through an overtime game to beat the Timberwolves 145-136. At the same time as winning, Tatum also surpassed Cusi at the age of 23 years and 38 days to become the youngest Mr. 50+ in Celtics history. Prior to that, Tatum had scored 40+ on three occasions, with a maximum score of 41.
Tatum was selected by the Celtics with the 3rd pick in the first round of 2017, entering the NBA's first season, Tatum averaged 13.9 points, 5 boards and 1.6 assists per game, and in the second season, Tatum averaged 15.7 points, 6 boards and 2.1 assists per game, which was not much of an improvement compared with his rookie season. However, from the third season (last season) Tatum ushered in a big leap forward, that season Irving's departure made Tatum the core of the team, he gained enough ball possession, averaging 23.4 points, 7 boards and 3 assists per game, and was selected as an All-Star. This season, Tatum has gone further, averaging 25.7 points, 7 boards and 4.3 assists per game, and is once again selected as an All-Star.
Tatum's growth rate after entering the NBA is not as terrifying as the extraordinary geniuses such as James, Durant, and Doncic, but it is enough to make the Celtics happy, and now Tatum has excellent levels on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, although there is still a certain distance from the level of superstars, but it is stronger than ordinary All-Star players. At the age of 23, he still has a lot of room for improvement, and his future is very worth looking forward to.