Last September, I made the decision to cease watching college sports. Since the time I was a small child, I lived and breathed college football and college basketball. But over time, given my very progressive leanings, I began having a harder and harder time rationalizing my support for an institution as corrupt as the NCAA.

Ignoring college football was a challenge that got easier as the season progressed and by the time the college basketball season began, it was pretty easy to forego watching the exploitation of 19 year old black men for the financial gains of old white men. (I promise this won’t be about politics any more)

NBA Draft night was always a fun night for me. I didn’t just watch college basketball. I studied the game. I had informed opinions on 6’5″ guards from Temple. No one would ever mistake me for a scout. I would never claim to have that expertise. But, to toot my own horn, I saw guys like Kawhi Leonard and Damian Lillard long before the Draft and felt strongly that each would be franchise players.

But here we are tonight. Most of the guys who are going to be picked tonight, I have never seen play a basketball game. I’ve never watched Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, etc. I remember watching Buddy Hield and being impressed with his range and I remember Kris Dunn at Providence being a great defender. But for all intents and purposes, Ben Simmons might as well be Ante Zizic to me.

And you know what? That’s really fun.

The absence of college basketball in my life brought me closer to the NBA than I’ve probably ever been. I’m excited to see these guys who I’ve read a lot about in the past few months play. I’m excited to see where they go. And, as a Celtics fan, I’m really excited to see what Danny Ainge can pull off.

Some loose thoughts:

1.) Boston offers Philadelphia this year’s 3rd, 16th, and 23rd picks, along with Brooklyn’s first round pick next year for the #1 overall pick (and drafts Brandon Ingram). Who says no? Does Philadelphia really pass up the opportunity to have the top two picks in next season’s draft? Does Boston sell all of their valuable assets for one 19 year old? I don’t see a reason why either team says “no” to that. And as a Celtics fan, I’d be thrilled with it.

2.) I’m fascinated by Marquese Chriss. From what I’ve read, he was an absolute disaster as a freshman at Washington. And now, I’m seeing him as a Top 5 pick. This is why I love the NBA Draft.

3.) Ben Simmons seems like a fascinating basketball player. A 6’10” point forward in the mold of Kevin Durant. Just, you know, if Kevin Durant couldn’t shoot. But he can pass so that’s something. I don’t love the idea of Philadelphia drafting another 6’10” player. I don’t understand what they’re doing.

4.) The Lakers getting Brandon Ingram with the second pick makes me very nervous. That’s a guy who is destined to be a great NBA player.

5.) Realistically, if Boston stays as 3, I’d be more than happy with any of Hield, Dunn, or Bosnian PF Dragan Bender.

6.) Buddy Hield’s suit should win awards.

7.) I’ve read a lot about how this is a weak draft. I disagree a bit. I look at this draft as having a superstar talent (Ingram), a potential all-star (Hield), and a number of really good players who will have long careers as role players. I”ve written before that I think NBA roster construction is fairly easy. Unless you have a LeBron James, you need to do what San Antonio has done and fill holes. Wing defenders, rebounders, outside shooters, passers. If you can fill those four holes, you’re going to be a playoff team. So guys like Denzel Valentine and Tyler Ulis has a real place in the NBA and would be much higher picks if I’m in a draft room than the typical “no role, but he could be GREAT” prospect.

8.) I’m fascinated by Thon Maker. I’m not sure that he’ll ever be anything in the NBA. But if he’s there when Boston or Toronto are using their 3rd and 2nd first round picks, respectively, why not take a flier on a guy who is as boom-or-bust as anyone we’ve seen in as long as I can remember.