Past perfect, present tense

There is the constant temptation to harken back to 2008, when the Celtics dispatched Kobe and Co., in six games to win Banner No. 17, on June 17 no less. The 2008 NBA Finals always will be a treasured Boston basketball memory. Our own restoration hardware.

The Celtics handed the Lakers an ignominious 131-92 defeat in Game 6. The confetti raining down on the TD Garden court, Doc Rivers beaming in his Gatorade-soaked shirt, and Kevin Garnett’s guttural and oddly commercial “Anything is possible!’’ declaration are unforgettable moments.

The NBA is notorious for time-bending continuation calls, but two years is a bit much even by the league’s generous standards. That’s why Thursday night at Staples Center isn’t a much anticipated and-one from the 2008 Finals. It’s Game 1 of a Finals series that features the last two NBA titlists starting at Square One.

Yes, these are the same two franchises that met in the 2008 NBA Finals, but they’re not the same two teams. Not even close.

A lot has changed. Rajon Rondo has become dynamic. Kevin Garnett’s knee has stripped him of his dominance. James Posey and Eddie House aren’t walking through that door and neither are Leon Powe and P.J. Brown. Rasheed Wallace was a despised Detroit Piston two years ago, now it’s all good that he’s in Green.

“Now, we’re a little different than that team, obviously,’’ said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. “The starting five is the same, but we have a different bench, we have different guys and so do they. You know 2008 was 2008. I’m not going to live on that. I can tell you that. The Lakers are a much better basketball team, and I’m hoping we are too.’’

Facelifts are popular in LA, and the Lakers have undergone one since they lost to the Celtics. What Kobe Bryant didn’t have two years ago was a post-Shaq NBA title to his name, teammates he trusted, and the relief of knowing he doesn’t have to carry the offense on one end, then turn around and shadow the opposing team’s best player on the other.