Two new eras will begin simultaneously when the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors take the court against each other to begin the season.
That is the opening-night matchup for Brad Stevens‘ Celtics, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe reports. It is unclear whether the game will be in Boston or Toronto, but one thing is clear: The days of the Celtics being a marquee draw on the NBA’s docket are probably over for now.
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In addition to being Stevens’ first game as an NBA coach, the game will also mark the beginning of a massive change in the Raptors’ philosophy, including a new team president, general manager and possibly a new mascot. The team will still be known as the “Raps” when this season dawns, but much like the Bobcats making their final voyage in Charlotte before changing their name to the Hornets, this could be the last year a remnant of the Jurassic Park fad passes for an NBA mascot.
Speaking of dinosaurs, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce do not yet know when they will make their return visits to Boston.
