Kevin Durant On Boston: 'I Like The City A Lot'
By Michael Hurley, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Celtics are having themselves a pretty good year, as they're currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference and are gearing up for a hopeful playoff run.
But even the most ardent Celtics fan knows deep down that Brad Stevens will not be embracing the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June of 2016. This year is all about establishing momentum for next year, when a top-flight free agent can join the Celtics and provide what could be the key ingredient to delivering Banner 18.
Enter Kevin Durant?
While the thought of the Celtics landing the big fish in NBA free agency remains very much a pipe dream, it's not illegal to dream.
And, for what it's worth, the superstar forward on Wednesday offered effusive praise of the city of Boston, its basketball fans, and the Celtics organization.
"I like the city a lot," Durant said. "I like the city a lot. It's cold, but they love sports here. They love -- it's a family atmosphere I feel when I walk around the city, so yeah, I like it a lot."
Durant hasn't played in Boston in over three years, but he said he remembers the atmosphere.
"It's been three years since I played here, so I'm looking forward to it," he said. "Some of the best fans in the world, and they definitely support their team."
And while most every NBA player is familiar with other teams, just from scouting and preparation, Durant seemed to notice a little extra something in the current batch of Celtics players.
"I've been watching this team a lot, and they're scrappy," Durant said. "They play hard, they love their coach, they love their system, and especially in this building, they play with a lot of energy, so it's going to be a tough test."
Could this be the start of a long and wondrous relationship?
Of course, it remains a far-fetched concept. Until the Celtics actually land an in-his-prime superstar free agent, such a scenario will always be considered fanciful.
Yet if the art of pursuing a free agent involves some flirtation from both sides, then Durant might have just circled "Y" on the "Do you like me?" note passed to him by the city of Boston.
Zolak & Bertrand discussed the possibility of Durant signing with Boston on Wednesday's show: