Durant on Boston backlash: 'I never said I was going there'

Ahead of his first trip to Boston since his decision, Kevin Durant is perplexed as to why Celtics fans would hold anything against him.

The Boston Celtics were one of six teams to land a meeting with the prized free agent this summer. Boston had enough to get their foot in the door, but Durant ultimately chose the Golden State Warriors.

"What can they be mad about?" Durant told ESPN's Chris Hayes. "I never played there. I never said I was going there. But they're going to support their team. It's one of the best fan bases in the league - top-five, easily. So no matter who goes in there, they're going to boo them.

"But I have no attachment to Boston at all."

Count Celtics forward Jae Crowder was among those who were mad at Durant for passing up Beantown. He vented his frustration weeks after the choice was made.

At the time, Crowder called it "a slap in the face," since the Celtics tipped their hand as to how Boston apparently solved the two finalists in Golden State and Cleveland.

Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas chimed in Wednesday, saying that Crowder might still be fuming months after the fact.

"No, I've been past that. Maybe for Jae," Thomas said. "Jae still might be mad. But I'm past it."

Of course, it was a relatively simple choice for Durant. The Celtics had the likes of Kelly Olynyk and Marcus Smart in a pitch that was largely built around local sporting celebrities David Ortiz and Tom Brady.

Compare that to the Warriors, who showed up with four All-Stars. It's no wonder why Durant chose them instead.