Back to Boston for LeBron

James, Celtics meet again in playoffs

LeBron James is a meticulous dresser on and off the court, so his fashion choice on Tuesday was no accident.

He had worn the sleeveless Tshirt before in practice, but the black cutoff with the picture of a gold-and-green leprechaun throwing a punch had deeper meaning this time: The Celtics are next.

James will renew his personal rivalry with the NBA’s most storied franchise on Wednesday as the Cavaliers, who have been waiting for an opponent since May 7, open the Eastern Conference finals in Boston.

This will be the sixth time that James has faced the Celtics in the post-season, and his history with them has run from the great to the forgettable.

So while the T-shirt was for his alma mater, Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, it was also a nod to the Celtics, the team James has played in the post-season more than any other.

And it was a not-so-subtle jab. Remember, this is the same guy who came home from California last June wearing an “Ultimate Warrior” T-shirt after the Cavaliers shocked Golden State to end Cleveland’s halfcentury title drought.

“They’re a worthy opponent,” said a rather gruff James, who didn’t have much to say about the Celtics or anything else after the Cavs concluded their final practice during a lengthy layoff.

“We have to game plan every game. We have to game plan for what they bring to the table. And we have to mentally focus on our challenges that we have every game.”

No team in the East gets James’ attention more quickly than the Celtics, who survived an exhausting, seven-game series against Washington to make their first conference final since 2012.

James is aiming for his seventh trip to the Finals.