The funtivities begin this evening as the 2017 NBA Draft barrels down upon us like some mad train conducted by something that hardly resembles man. He looks strange: somehow regal and alien. Royalty, his purple robes glean, from some distant land.

He brings to us the bells and the whistles and the toys. I say, he pulled the toys out. The flames, they come. They are blue at times, in their center. The fire is now and later. The sparks spit up and make words: Fultz, Ball, Tatum. See them shining.

My Giant Board is below. I have watched every game of every player who has declared for this draft. In most cases I’ve watched every game twice, the exceptions generally coming when I’m dealing with a guy outside the top 60. Below is my top 30 prospects, in order. Detailed posts should follow with regard to specific abilities as well as strengths and weaknesses in terms of on-court play and off-court intangibles (leadership, intensity, passion for community as well). Fultz is one, and something like dancing in the rain.

1 – Fultz

2 – Ball

3 – Tatum

4 – Jackson

5 – Fox

6 – Isaac

7 – Monk

8 – Markkanen

9 – Collins

10 – Ntilikina

11 – Smith

12 – Mitchell

13 – Ferguson

14 – Adebayo

15 – J. Collins

16 – Kennard

17 – Giles

18 – Leaf

19 – Pasecniks

20 – Patton

21 – OG

22 – Jackson

23 – DJ Wilson

24 – F. Jackson

25 – Allen

26 – Hartenstein

27 – Lydon

28 – Swanigan

29 – Kuzma

30 – Ojeleye

Keep it tuned here for more of this heat.