Kevin Durant on Tom Brady: ‘Great to be in the presence of such greatness’

12:31 AM ET

If the Boston Celtics were trying to get Kevin Durant’s attention by bringing New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to their meeting in the Hamptons earlier this month, it certainly seemed to work.

Talking with reporters after USA Basketball opened its pre-Olympic training camp in Las Vegas on Monday, Durant admitted Brady’s presence resonated during Boston’s sales pitch.

“I was ready to just say, ‘OK, let’s go,'” said Durant, suggesting Brady’s presence might have instantly made the Celtics an attractive option. “Just seeing someone so successful at his craft. He’s a great ambassador for the game of football and the city of Boston. It’s great to be in the presence of such greatness. But at the same time, I knew I couldn’t let that distract me.”

Kevin Durant, and the Celtics who were part of his recruiting party, were wowed by meeting Tom Brady. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Asked what else made Boston an intriguing destination, Durant said, “I just liked the way they play. I liked their coach [Brad Stevens]. I thought they had some good people.”

The Celtics came back from their meeting with Durant encouraged by how well their pitch seemingly went and felt Brady’s presence helped their cause. …

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