The Ultimate 2017 NBA Draft Twitter Reactions Timeline

Get your popcorn ready because, in association with Axe Hair, we’ve compiled the ultimate 2017 NBA Draft Timeline.

NBA Draft 2017
Getty

Image via Mike Stobe/Getty

NBA Draft 2017

Thursday’s NBA Draft may have been the most anticipated draft since 2003—when LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade were selected in the top 5.

That’s not to say the 2017 talent pool was as wide (the suits are certainly thinner), but the hype was real. As pre-draft coverage reached a crescendo, it seemed draft pundits and league executives were singing the same tune: for this year’s class of prospects, the ceiling is the roof.

Generally, there are one or two guys in a draft class whom experts suspect could become a franchise player—Karl-Anthony Towns in 2015, Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid in 2014. Sometimes scouts aren’t sure if there are any (in 2013, the Anthony Bennett year, the best player—Giannis Antetokounmpo—fell to No. 15). In 2017, depending on whom you asked, there were as many as four or five potential franchise guys.

It was not only the talent of the players, however, that made Thursday such an exciting night. The NBA itself has never been this popular.

With an ahead-of-its-time international expansion strategy and shrewd use of media—coupled with compelling storylines like the Warriors-Cavs rivalry and Russell Westbrook’s mission to destroy the earth—the league has the NFL looking over its shoulder. The NBA draft and free agency period are now just as looked forward to as the league’s biggest playoff games. Fans are glued to their phones in June and July.

Draft night is like Christmas for avid hoops fans, and on this special evening, Twitter is your best friend. Woj and his wunderkind, Shams Charania, tweet every pick before it’s announced. Trades fly with reckless disregard like J.R. Smith hoisting 40-footers. People freak out. The GIFs appear seemingly the second after the footage airs on TV.

It’s sports entertainment at its finest.

Get your popcorn ready because, in association with Axe Hair, we’ve compiled the ultimate NBA Draft Timeline, furnished with the most entertaining, informational, and hilarious reactions to everything that popped off Thursday night.

Before the draft, as ESPN’s coverage focused on LaVar Ball, NBA players made their opinion of him clear. LOL @ Jo Jo Embiid.

Crazy pills
Please dunk on him so hard that his daddy runs on the court to save him.. https://t.co/cMvt5RYiSQ
70% RT @pdpatt: What's the chances Lavar Ball walks on stage with his son to shake the commissioner's hand? #NBAdraft2017

Every year, prospects show up to the event dressed to the nines. This year was no exception. They spent the cash and brought the heat.

De'Aaron Fox with custom made "LOVE" shoes for his night at the NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/mOoxIeO4UT
Don't put anything past the Balls. Lonzo Ball wearing a bow tie with the Big Baller Brand logo on it. pic.twitter.com/ecxmJmrB7n
Markelle Fultz wearing shoes tonight that are made out of basketballs. pic.twitter.com/jCjzommlvM
Gonzaga's Zach Collins making sure his hometown of Las Vegas is part of his outfit tonight. pic.twitter.com/oKP8hsNG4v
Wake Forest's John Collins wearing Christian Louboutin hi-tops to tonight's draft ($1,295) pic.twitter.com/sBFj7sHwXf
Josh Jackson's Rolex spotted at tonight's NBA Draft pic.twitter.com/aKkc8yhoKA

Naturally, having strong hair game was a priority for the prospects on their big night. The biggest hair drew the most attention.

De'Aaron Fox is the smartest guy here. Asked teams ahead of time for a visor. His awesome hair is still in tact. #2017NBADraft pic.twitter.com/QKMYBXy4HQ
"I've been alive for 68 years and I've never seen hair like De'Aaron Fox's!"  -- my father
With the hair and the suit, Josh Jackson could either be in the 2017 draft or the 1977 draft pic.twitter.com/HwIMNRdtmp
Here comes the 🌞! Josh Jackson taking #NBADraft hair to new heights in his @Suns @JBLAudio pic.twitter.com/b46C6mebDZ

Surprising no one, Philadelphia took smooth, crafty Washington guard Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 pick. Philly is starting to look dangerous. #TrustTheProcess

👏🏼👏🏼
Congrats to @MarkelleF and welcome to the team #TheProcess
Welcome to the @sixers @MarkelleF. Can't wait to see this team get up and go! pic.twitter.com/BaMd1fVkkW
LIVE: Fan reaction from Philadelphia #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/E0z71ovP2z
oh you think markelle fultz is good? name three songs on his first album
Congrats bro! @MarkelleF ✊🏾✊🏾now let's show out !
With the 1st pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the #Sixers select Markelle Fultz!

Welcome to Philadelphia @MarkelleF!! #TTP pic.twitter.com/J5dzJc67gy
Markelle Fultz is the 4th major-conference freshman in last 25 seasons to average 22+ PPG.

All 4 went in the top 3. pic.twitter.com/DJEIZbFWss
No. 1 pick @MarkelleF with the 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/FEII2OTyyz

Then LaVar’s prophecy came true. He really spoke it into existence. The Lakers took Lonzo Ball No. 2.

lavar ball is a genius
"I must be a genius to plan it this well. His # has always been No. 2. And guess where he's going? #2." -- LaVar Ball after draft lottery.
Less than a minute after his son gets drafted by the Lakers, LaVar Ball put on the Big Baller hat in Lakers colors pic.twitter.com/v0U2OHUaEh
Big Baller Brand promising tonight that anyone who buys Lonzo's new ZO2's in Lakers colors ($495) will get them in second week of February pic.twitter.com/S0fGcDyKd3
LaVar Ball says he's been saying Lonzo was going to be drafted by the Lakers for the past 19-20 years pic.twitter.com/v9kfmiwCD2

Though the early picks went as expected, the NBA world was shocked as the Timberwolves pulled off a big-time trade for Jimmy Butler, who was a sought-after target for a number of teams. Twitter certainly didn’t think Chicago got enough in return for the third-team All-Pro.

Chicago is finalizing a deal to send Jimmy Butler to Minnesota for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and No. 7 pick, league source says.
Breaking: T-Wolves agree in principle to acquire Jimmy Butler, No.16 from Bulls for No. 7, Zach LaVine, & Kris Dunn. (via @ESPNSteinLine) pic.twitter.com/YjhqWSH6J6
Bulls draft recap: pic.twitter.com/0iNsieQPf1
when you find out about about minneapolis' budding restaurant scene pic.twitter.com/KL6pqO73JS
The Bulls did not get enough for Jimmy Butler, who is better than Paul George - mentally/physically tougher, far more clutch.
When Jimmy thought he escaped Thibs but he's back to playing 80 minutes a night with 2 broken legs in Minnesota pic.twitter.com/UR71OiaJNi
"That is a good haul for Jimmy Butler" pic.twitter.com/WoITYpAaPP
Jimmy Butler trade is the worst trade I have ever seen in my entire life
Timberwolves first round by getting Jimmy Butler from Bulls for spare parts. loaded deck with Towns, Wiggins and Butler. Playoff team.
Former Minnesota GM David Kahn breaks down the Timberwolves' deal for Jimmy Butler. Live show link: https://t.co/RjcQcUwodv pic.twitter.com/MOEsDxs4YV
So y'all gonna sit on this app and act like Jimmy Butler didn't get traded to the Timberwolves for Zach Lavine and Kris Dunn
This is the biggest steal of the #NBADraft so far pic.twitter.com/tNPuGAiZzp
Jimmy Butler when he found out he was traded to the Timberwolves #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/CAt7WZ5HED
The T'Wolves just got Jimmy Butler for Lavigne & Dunn and only had to move down 9 spots in the draft. That's amazing.

The Suns stole dunk machine Josh Jackson at No. 4, adding to their super-talented young core.

You could say Suns fans are excited about Josh Jackson coming to Phoenix! #WeArePHX pic.twitter.com/XXC6Qn39JT
Who's ready to get their Josh Jackson rookie posters? #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/n6MUw51GFr
Josh Jackson will make teams that passed on him regret not taking him !
Josh Jackson will help the Suns more than he would've the Celtics. Will provide toughness, backbone, leadership to a finesse team.
Josh Jackson is a great pickup for Earl Watson & the @Suns . This guy has a chip on both shoulders & is a great fit next to @DevinBook
Suns young core:*

-Josh Jackson, age 20
-Devin Booker, age 20
-Dragan Bender, age 19
-Marquese Chriss, age 19

*barring trade

The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski had every pick and transaction ahead of the TV coverage—par for the course.

The draft is 20 minutes behind Woj.
Funny that Woj is halfway through the lottery and the broadcast still is at No. 5.
*Refreshes twitter*

Woj: The Heat will take Justin Jackson with the 14th pick.

*Looks at TV*

Adam Silver: "With the 5th pick" pic.twitter.com/Yrrkgblf0Q
Trying to keep up with all the Woj bombs and Paul George rumors like pic.twitter.com/Yg8Vo1uyZw
WOJ HASN'T TWEETED FOR 7 MINUTES EVERYBODY PANIC
Going to be weird with Woj at ESPN next year #NBADraft17
Woj is already live-tweeting the 2018 NBA Draft

The Bulls took Arizona big man Lauri Markkanen No. 7. Jay Bilas made the astute observation that Markkanen has to be careful when he drives in Finland now, because speeding ticket rates there are determined based on income.

@JayBilas speeding tickets....In Finland....pure genius
Speeding tickets determined by income in Finland, I would never slow down then 😂😂

Freshman after freshman went off the board. The top seven picks were freshmen. The previous record was four.

Five freshmen in the first five picks. Thank God they went to college, huh?
All these freshmen first picks making me feel under accomplished af #NBADraft17
This NBA Draft is gonna be compared to the Lebron melo bosh draft class in 8 years a bunch of great freshmen #NBAdraft2017
First 7 draft picks are all Freshmen that C/O of 2016 something serious‼️😎😏
7 pick, 7 freshmen in the #NBADraft. It's become a system of ingredients, not cooked meals.

Knicks fans had a mixed response to their selection of French point guard Frank Ntilikina at No. 8.

New York 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
I knew Frank Ntilikina was serious about his interest in the Knicks when he started following Lance Thomas on Instagram pic.twitter.com/Lz8vazG90o
Poor Frank Ntilikina is gonna have a hard transition to NYC ahead if he thinks the Knicks are a great organization...
Just gotta wait and see 🤔RT @NBA: With the eighth pick in the 2017 #NBADraft, the @nyknicks select Frank Ntilikina! pic.twitter.com/q8OKSJC0ha

Everyone seemed to think NC State’s Dennis Smith, Jr., whom the Mavericks took at No. 9, was a steal.

"Dennis Smith, Jr. is gonna sh*t on half the dudes drafted before him."
—me, a guy who has never watched a full Dennis Smith, Jr. game
Welcome to the squad @Dennis4Smith !! #MFFL #910
Dennis smith jr got that Steve Francis comparison tho
Rick Carlisle says Mavs believe Dennis Smith Jr. is as good as any PG in the draft. "We're getting a guy that's an instant-impact guy."
LET'S GOO !! It's Lit @Dennis4Smith welcome to the family !!

And Kentucky sharp-shooter Malik Monk, who was once considered one of the top prospects in the draft, somehow slipped all the way to Charlotte at No. 11.

Jalen just compared the last 2 picks to Channing Frye and George Hill. Meanwhile my man Malik Monk is still on the board...
This Malik Monk right now pic.twitter.com/epSkEtAkpA
Malik Monk still available at #10? That seems foolish.
Malik Monk is the best player in the draft. Why he's still on the board is confusing to me
Decent chance that the most impactful player in this draft is still available. Yup, I'm proudly a Malik Monk mark.

As usual, NBA commissioner Adam Silver was the emcee for the night. He drew his fair share of praise and roasts.

I love Adam Silver because he seems genuinely excited by the minutiae of being commissioner. Like he spent years dreaming of this job.
Adam Silver really looks like a middle finger and I'll never be able to unsee it and LeBatard's show is to blame
Adam Silver is the only commissioner in sports who gets cheered when he comes out for the draft.
Excuse me Adam Silver if you're not busy can you run the NHL for awhile and the NFL if you can thanks

And, of course, what’s an NBA Draft without plenty of talk of “wingspan?”

@JayBilas TIP IT BACK #WINGSPAN
Blilas told Davis to stay in his lane when he mentioned Adebayo's wingspan 😂😂😂 I love the NBA
At this point, @JalenRose enjoys saying "wingspan" far more than @JayBilas. Which is amazing.
Don't draft basketball players with short arms, is my life advice

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