In the words of Kevin Garnett, “I’m really excited, really excited. I don’t like us, I love us. I like how we are, I like our depth, and I’m eager to start.”

Tonight’s Celtics-Heat game isn’t just the start of the season, it’s also what I would consider the most historically significant season opener in NBA history. Just look at all the story lines: the beginning of Miami’s new era; Shaq with a new team, playing against former teammates Wade and Lebron; Boston starting at least four Hall of Famers, and maybe five; an I’m-too-lazy-to-count number of combined All-Star appearances between the teams; Jermaine O’Neal against his former mates; Lebron against the Celtics, who knocked him out of the playoffs last year; and Wade against the Celtics, who knocked him out of the playoffs last year. And I’m sure I’m missing a few story lines, too.

Tonight is important, far more important than a normal regular season game.

Which means it’s time for some pump-up videos.

And just because it never fails to do the trick.