Kyrie: It'll be 'nothing but love' for Isaiah in Boston return

Warning: Story contains coarse language

Isaiah Thomas isn't the only one who thinks he'll get a warm reception when he returns to his old stomping grounds.

The All-Star point guard will be in Boston on Wednesday for the first time since being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers with Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and two future draft picks in exchange for Kyrie Irving, who expects his new fan base to show love to the man he replaced.

"That guy put on some performances, epic performances," Irving said, according to ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "And, for the city of Boston, what he gave on a consistent basis, you were just wondering how that tough-nosed m-----f----- was just getting it done every single night and demanding from his teammates and playing with an edge that really cemented himself as a premier player in this league."

Thomas, who became a star in two-plus years with the Celtics, has yet to play this season due to a hip injury. The team expects him to make his debut this week, though he'll be on a minutes restriction and won't play in back-to-backs. He could return as early as Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers, which marks the first leg of a back-to-back set that ends in Beantown.

"And you're just nothing short of happy for a guy like that," Irving said. "And whether or not he plays, it's going to be nothing but love for him from Boston."

The Celtics, who finished with the top record in the East last season, haven't really missed a beat. Irving's led them to a 30-10 record - No. 1 in the conference and four games ahead of Cleveland.