Jayson Tatum named Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP

BOSTON -- It's only fitting that the first winner of the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP Award went to a Celtics player. Jayson Tatum took home the honors Sunday night after Boston dispatched the Heat with a Game 7 victory in Miami.

Tatum came up big in Sunday night's Game 7 win, putting up 26 points to go with 10 rebounds and six assists in Boston's 100-96 victory over the Heat. Tatum averaged 25 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the series.

"It's an honor. It still doesn't even seem real right now," Tatum said of earning an award named after a former Celtics great like Larry Bird. "I'm just extremely happy and grateful for all of this. Regardless of how long I've been in the league, I'm not too far removed from being a high schooler and dreaming about moments like this. I still feel like I'm truly living out my dream. I thank God every day to be able to do that.

"To be the first person to win this award named after Larry Bird, it still doesn't feel real. But I'm going to bring it home, show Deuce tomorrow and enjoy it," Tatum added.

Celtics head coach Ime Udoka sang Tatum's praises after Sunday's win, and said that Tatum deserves everything that is coming his way.

"A guy that has carried us throughout the season. A lot has been put on his shoulders and he delivered," said Udoka. "He had a 26 point night and that's kind of standard for him. He knows a lot is relied upon him. He's the head of the snake. 

"All the accolades he is getting are well-deserved," Udoka added. "He's only 24 and hasn't even touched his ceiling. Not even close to that."

The Celtics also won the newly redesigned Bob Cousy Trophy as Eastern Conference Champs. Now someone on Boston will look to win the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award when the C's take on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.