Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Celtics point guard and New York City native Kemba Walker said he considered the Knicks in free agency before signing with Boston this summer.

"It was (a consideration). It was. They were definitely one of the teams I was looking at in free agency. But I picked Boston. I just felt it was a better fit for me," Walker said before the Knicks home opener against Boston on Saturday.

New York had enough cap space to sign Walker and another max free agent, but Walker agreed to sign with the Celtics as soon as free agency began.

After missing on their top targets in free agency, New York spent its cap space on veteran free agents, signing them to short-term contracts.

Walker, who grew up in the Bronx and starred at Rice HS in Harlem, said the Celtics offered 'everything' he wanted to be a part of in free agency.

"It's a very winning organization. They have great players I enjoy being around. Definitely think it's the best fit for me," he said.

SNY reported prior to free agency that Walker was unlikely to land with the Knicks. Walker was asked on Saturday if he didn't want to play for New York because of the distractions that come with playing in your hometown.

He said that wasn't the case.

"I think it can be a distraction just because you obviously grew up there, you know so many people," Walker said. "But that wasn't the case for me. It wasn't even about that. It was just more about the fit and style of play and things of that nature and I just thought that Boston was the best fit and opportunity for me."

Walker, who had 13 friends and family at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, was asked what he misses about the Bronx.

"I probably miss the pizza the most," Walker said.

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