Isaiah Thomas, Paul Pierce React to Kevin Durant’s Decision
Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP
Boston sports fans waited with bated breath over the Fourth of July weekend in hopes that Kevin Durant would become the latest superstar to don Celtics green.
Sadly, the now former forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder decided to stay out west, signing with the Golden State Warriors for a a two-year, $54.3 million contract.
The decision was a huge bummer for Boston fans since it seemed like the entire city was trying to help the Celtics sign the NBA star. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady joined Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and co-owner Steve Pagliuca in the Hamptons for a pitch meeting with Durant over the weekend.
Boston's recruitment team for KD in Hampton's @CSNNE @WojVerticalNBA @StoolGreenie @stoolpresidente @sam_amick pic.twitter.com/IEQxO7xCzg
— Rob H (@RCH1I1) July 2, 2016
Wide receiver Julian Edelman and Red Sox slugger David Ortiz tried to convince Durant over Twitter to ship up to Boston.
Yo @KDTrey5 sorry I couldn't make the meeting today but Brady will tell u they don't call Boston the City of Champions for nothing
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) July 2, 2016
From the fans, to the history, to the amazing city itself, Boston is best place to play hands down @kdtrey5 35 pic.twitter.com/jZO65KUsiS
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) July 3, 2016
Even an Avengers-style team-up of Boston’s champions wasn’t enough to lure the forward, who instead opted to join Steph Curry and the stacked Warriors roster.
The decision didn’t go over well with several NBA stars, who felt like Durant signed with his new team only to chase after a championship ring.
Celtics forward Jae Crowder simply wrote, “Wow… Really,” in a since deleted tweet while current and former Boston stars such as Isaiah Thomas and Paul Pierce poked fun at Durant over social media.
If you use the warriors in 2k17 your automatically weak lol.
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) July 4, 2016
If u can't beat um join um
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 4, 2016
Ok Time to get Westbrook to the CaVs
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 4, 2016
Any Given Wednesday host Bill Simmons called the move one of Brady’s “toughest losses” as even his star power couldn’t convince Durant to come to town.
Tom Brady's toughest losses…
1. SB 42
2. SB 46
3. 2007 AFC title
4. 2016 AFC title
5. 2013 AFC title
6. 2016 KD Sweepstakes— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 4, 2016
On the bright side, the Celtics did sign Al Horford to a four-year max deal worth $113 million, and Boston’s new big man seems pretty excited about it.
Celtic Pride!!!!!!
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) July 2, 2016
