Kevin Durant took a step back, looking at the Boston Celtics roster now in comparison to last year's team, noting the team has vastly improved after making the trade for Kyrie Irving.

“Hell yeah, they've changed. Kyrie is one of the top-three skilled players in the league, in my opinion,” said Durant, according to Melissa Rohlin of the San Jose Mercury News. “One of the most skilled players to ever play. So hell yeah, they've changed.”

Durant noted the Celtics had definitely “upgraded” with Irving's acquisition, and that the man known as Uncle Drew could easily score 30 points if he wanted to.

Irving's numbers have taken a slight dip from last season as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, his leadership has made a huge jump, now vaulting his Celtics over his former team and assessing themselves as the outright leader of the Eastern Conference at 35-14, six-and-a-half games over the Cavs.

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The Warriors and the Celtics will meet for a second time this season on Saturday after the latter edged out the defending champions 92-88 in their first meeting at the TD Garden.

Boston will be without backup point guard Marcus Smart, after he suffered a self-inflicted hand laceration on Wednesday, as the team has ruled him out for the next two weeks.

More than ever, the Celtics' fate will rest on Irving's shoulders, now likely in for heavy minutes against the Warriors due to Smart's absence. If Durant is right about his prediction, his Warriors will have a tough task against this team to start the weekend.