BOSTON — Celtics fans finally will see Kevin Durant play at TD Garden on Friday night. Just not wearing the uniform they hoped he would.
Durant will take the floor for the visiting Warriors in his first trip to Boston since signing with Golden State this summer as a free agent. Boston was on the short list of Durant’s potential destinations this offseason, and many fans and players (we’re looking at you, Jae Crowder) were upset he chose the Warriors instead.
As such, C’s fans likely will give the All-Star forward a cold reception on Friday night. But apparently that’s just fine with Golden State coach Steve Kerr.
“I haven’t given it a lot of thought, but I know that the Celtics were one of the teams that were right in there with KD and had a real chance,” Kerr said Friday morning during the Warriors’ shoot-around at TD Garden. “So, maybe the fans will shower him with boos and motivate him. That would be great.”
Many players thrive off opposing fans’ boos, and we’re sure Durant is no different. Interestingly, Kerr add that Golden State has been met with more cheers than boos on the road this season, so Boston’s expectedly raucous crowd actually could fire the Warriors up even more.
Durant, who heaped praise on the Celtics and for the most part took the high road in his session with reporters Friday at shoot-around, said he won’t pay much attention to what’s going on in the stands.
“I expect them to cheer for their team like they always do,” Durant said. “Outside of that, I don’t know. I’m just trying to lock in and focus on our team and our game. The fans are going to be the fans. They’re going to enjoy the game, and as the game goes along, they’re going to boo, they’re going to cheer. It is what it is.”
Thumbnail photo via Darren Hartwell/NESN
