BOSTON — Danny Ainge’s infatuation with Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant goes all the way to the March before the 2007 NBA draft. At the time, the Boston Celtics GM was fined $30,000 by the NBA for sitting alongside Durant’s mother during the 2007 Big 12 Tournament while scouting the Texas prospect.
The Celtics finished with the second-worst record in the NBA back in 2006-07, putting them in prime position to land the 6'10'' forward or Ohio State big man Greg Oden in the months leading up to the NBA lottery.