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How to Watch the NBA Draft: A Guide for Celtics Fans

By Larry Flynn

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Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State) waves to the crowd as he leaves the stage after being selected as the number six overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Watching the draft is a nerve-wracking endeavor for fans. We all have our personal favorites, like that guy who played for our alma mater, or who we loved watching in March. We’ve been watching film of this player for weeks, and considered buying a customized jersey with his name on the back for good luck.

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; James Young (Kentucky) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seventeen overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

We also have those guys we hate. They might’ve gone to Duke or they might be the dude who didn’t follow you back on Twitter. We’ve been avoiding picking them in mock drafts, skimming over their player profiles, and telling all your friends he’ll be the next Darko.

We all need a little help on draft day. That’s why I’ve taken the liberty, and honor, of compiling three important tips for how to watch the NBA Draft tonight.

Tip #1: Expect the Unexpected

Be prepared: there will be at least one or two trades or draft selections that will make you fall out of your chair, throw your remote at the TV, or sob like a baby. Or, if you’re Bill Simmons, you might give us the greatest NBA Draft moment of all time (including David Stern’s anything-but-stern reaction to the boo’s):

Everyone watching the 2013 NBA Draft was caught off guard, and the reactions are priceless. But don’t end up on youtube with a dumbfounded reaction to the Celtics picking the guy you don’t want. Be calm, cool, and collected with a poker-face like Paul Pierce because you know that something crazy is about to unfold.

It’s like watching a horror movie; you know something scary is going to happen, but you don’t known who/what/when/where.

Same thing in the draft. You know it’s going to be a roller coaster tonight. So buckle up and enjoy the wild, wild ride.

Al Jefferson was one of Danny Ainge’s best draft selections. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Tip #2: Think about Al Jefferson, not Fab Melo

We all have the nightmares of Fab Melo. Of him hitting his head on doors. Of him getting dumped to Memphis for a non-guaranteed deal.

But relax, everyone! Ainge doesn’t always mess up. Remember his killer 2004 draft where he snagged Al Jefferson, Tony Allen and Delonte West with the 15, 24, and 25th picks in the draft? With picks 16 and 28, Ainge could pull a similar maneuver and draft multiple impact players in the first half.

Danny Ainge has had his rough picks. It’s not just Fab Melo. How about Gabe Pruitt, JR Giddens, and JuJuan Johnson?

But, for all those misses, Ainge has mostly scored in the draft with picks like Jared Sullinger, Marcus Smart and (hopefully he turns into a star) James Young. So think optimistically. It’s a good habit for basketball fans, and for life.

Tip #3: Don’t use Twitter

If you want retweets, go ahead and use Twitter.

If you want to be genuinely surprised, get off the grid.

I realized this last year, where I spent my draft night glued to my phone, constantly refreshing Twitter to find the legendary “@WojYahooNBA” knew who every team was picking before Adam Silver himself. But it wasn’t nearly as fun as leaning on the edge of my seat, hands folded together in prayer to the basketball Gods, heart still with suspense.

Next: Should the Celtics pick Myles Turner?

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