BOSTON – Isaiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics are longing for some fireworks this weekend, but we’re not talking about the Fourth of July variety.
The Celtics will make their pitch to Kevin Durant which is taking shape as the most important player pursuit by Boston ever.
Boston made the cut of six teams that Durant will limit his discussions to this weekend, with a decision expected prior to July 9 which is when he embarks on an overseas trip.
As of Thursday evening, Thomas wasn’t sure if he was going to be part of the group that meets with Durant.
“If they need me to do it, I’ll definitely do it,” said Thomas who added that he would be meeting with Danny Ainge later in the day. “We’ll see.”
If he does (as expected) partake in the official recruitment of Durant, Thomas already has an idea of how he’ll approach things.
“First off, I’m going to go buy some (Kevin Durant sneakers),” quipped Thomas. “If I do go to the meeting, I’ll be in … the whole outfit. I’m just gonna be as real as possible. As a basketball player and a basketball fan, he knows what Boston brings.”
Boston Celtics
On Thursday, Thomas was at Faneuil Hall in conjunction with Good Humor ice cream which began its East coast tour in Boston.
That relationship is yet another of the perks that comes with being a standout basketball player in Boston.
Thomas was a solid NBA player prior to coming to Boston.
But since his arrival in February of 2015, he has become a fan favorite whose play has been pivotal to Boston’s continued success which included them winning 48 games this past season – the most under third-year coach Brad Stevens – and Thomas being selected to his first all-star game.
As Thomas handed out free ice cream to kids and adults and a slew of Celtics fans, they all had a similar message for him – “Bring KD to Boston!”
Thomas wasn’t surprised.
“They (fans) want greatness, they want top players,” Thomas said. “They’ll do whatever they can to get them.”
And Thomas believes the same is true for Ainge and the entire Celtics franchise.
That’s in part by Thomas has a good feeling that Boston’s roster next fall will include at least one other all-star caliber player besides himself.
“I’m very confident,” Thomas said. “I’m not saying it’s going to be Kevin Durant. Who knows? But I’m confident he’ll get a guy that can help build on what we have going here.”