They are different than the last time they met, when the crazy and mystical four-bounces-off-the-rim shot from Kawhi Leonard ended a gut-wrenching seven-game playoff series between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers last spring.
Different because of the decisions of individuals, not by anything either franchise did, and yet they remain legitimate aspirants to play for an NBA title.
There is no Leonard in Toronto, with the star forward gone to the Clippers; and no Danny Green, off to the Lakers. The Sixers are without Jimmy Butler, who forsook Philly’s maximum-value contract offer to go play in Miami, and JJ Redick, who fled Philadelphia to join New Orleans.