Al Horford seems pretty insulted at the idea that teams are targeting a first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Speaking with the media on Saturday, the five-time All-Star responded to the notion that the lower seeds in the East playoff picture may be hoping to get the No. 7 seed to play the injury-riddled Celtics, who hold the No. 2 spot.
“The only thing I can say to that is I can’t wait until the playoffs start,” said Horford, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.
Indeed, the Celtics have been wrecked by injuries as Kyrie Irving has now joined fellow All-Star Gordon Hayward in seeing his season end early. Boston is also currently without top defender Marcus Smart, who is expected to miss Round 1, and quality rookie center Daniel Theis, who is done for the year.
But the Celtics still boast arguably the best head coach in the league in Brad Stevens as well as a versatile and high-upside young core to complement Horford’s talents. That plus home-court advantage should give them confidence against any first-round opponent, even if one of Horford’s teammates might not necessarily agree.
