NBA season opens with Celtics stars eyeing dynasty and Knicks chasing title

Boston Celtics will launch their bid for back-to-back titles, LeBron James will team up with his 20-year-old son and familiar faces debut in new places when the NBA’s 79th season begins on Tuesday. The Celtics will raise a record 18th championship banner when the New York Knicks visit TD Garden, while James and the Los Angeles Lakers entertain Minnesota in opening-night contests. Boston fans have not celebrated back-to-back NBA crowns since 1968 and 1969 – the end of the Bill Russell dynasty era – but after ending a 16-year title drought star Jayson Tatum yearns for such glory. “It was never just about just trying to win one,” Tatum said. “Now you get to be at least in the same room with the other Celtics, great teams, the other great players. “Now it’s just a conversation of how great are you trying to be, what tier you’re trying to be mentioned in when it’s all said and done?” Tatum, who helped the US team win Paris Olympic gold this summer, says the Celtics feel different as champions.