Celtics G League team embarks on new era

PORTLAND, Maine — After 18 months away, crustacean nation finally got a chance to come out of its shell.

While the catchy jingle, When I say ‘red’ you say ‘claws’ is a relic of the past, the Celtics G League team is back after a year off. With a new roster, new identity, and a green lobster, enter the Maine Celtics.

After spending their first 11 seasons as the Red Claws, the Maine Celtics G League team debuted its new coach, players, and threads in front of 1,806 fans Friday night at the James A. Bank Sr. Portland Exposition Building in a 114-103 loss to the Delaware Blue Coats.

“It’s kind of similar but also different,” said guard Jaysean Paige, a former Red Claw who scored 21 points off the…