Al Horford Talks About the Celtics, Billy Donovan, and the NCAA Tourney
March 30, 2009 – 2:06 pm by Will Brinson
Al Horford and the Atlanta Hawks have had unprecedented success (for Atlanta, anyway) in the past few years, and a lot of the media love they receive stems from taking the Boston Celtics to seven games last year in the playoffs. Of course, many folks think the Hawks match up well with the Celtics and that a “rivalry” of sorts has developed; some of the Celtics, as you’ll see, might feel differently, which Horford responds to.
Additionally, the guys at 790 the Zone ask Horford about Billy Donovan (and the odds he’ll go to Kentucky from Florida. Note that, of course, Donovan is not going to Kentucky, but that doesn’t make Horford’s convincing take on it any less interesting.
On what was the biggest scare during Florida’s two national title runs:
“The biggest scare was probably when we played Georgetown the first time – the first national championship – in the Sweet 16 and we were down 1 with about 30 seconds, er 20 seconds and we kept missing some easy shots … and Corey Brewer… threw up a lucky shot … but you know you need luck in everything … he got fouled and made the free throw and I clinched the game with two game winning free throws.”
On playing teams like the Celtics and getting trash-talked as a youngster:
“I don’t know if they necessarily say that [Welcome to the NBA, Mr. NCAA Championship] but they definitely let you know that this is the NBA and guys are going to come out and they’re going to come out hard against you and try to intimidate you and that’s one of the things they tried to do last year … but I think it’s all about not backing down and playing your game.”
On the Celtics talking trash and Rajon Rondo not seeing the Hawks as a ‘rivalry’:
“…That’s the way he personally feels; I think that when they go out there and play us, they’re on edge and they know they’re in for a war every time they come in here … I consider it … it’s going to be a tough game every time regardless of how we play. Maybe he feels it’s not personal like that, but I think everyone else does.”
On Billy Donovan going to Kentucky:
“I mean Kentucky’s obviously a special place … Coach has a lot of stuff going on in Florida, he has a really good relationship with everyone over there, and going to another SEC school, especially in the East and a rival … I think he’s always going to be in the conversation, but I don’t think he’s considering doing it, and I haven’t talked to him, but that’s just my feeling.
Listen to Al Horford on WQXI in Atlanta with Morning Mayhem
Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Billy Donovan, Erin Andrews, Florida Gators, Rajon Rondo
