Kevin Durant praises Boston, Celtics

The Boston Celtics will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday at TD Garden, an arena where small forward Kevin Durant has been eager to play for several seasons.

"It’s been three years since I played here, so I’m really looking forward to it," Durant told the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn. "Some of the best fans in the world, and they definitely support their team, so I’m looking forward to it."

Durant has the ability to become a free agent this summer by opting out of his contract, so his comments are likely to be taken out of proportion, especially by Boston fans hungry for an 18th championship.

"I like the city a lot," Durant said. "It's cold but they love sports here. It's a family atmosphere I feel when I walk around the city. So yeah, I like it a lot."

Reports surfaced last month that Durant wants to join a contender if he leaves Oklahoma City - making the third-place Celtics a potential landing spot. The 27-year-old added that he's been following Boston closely this season because of their style of play.

"I’ve been watching this team a lot. They’re scrappy. They play hard. They love their coach," he said. "They love their system, and especially in this building, they play with a lot of energy. So it’s going to be a tough test."