C.J. Miles to meet with Pacers, likely to leave Cavs in free agency
July 1, 2014On Kyrie and Commitment
July 1, 2014
Happy Tuesday, WFNY! And Happy July!
Sometimes July can be a bit of a dull sports month for me. I’m not exactly the world’s biggest baseball fan, so sometimes the month can be a bit of a drag for me. But not this July. The World Cup has been the most exciting World Cup in my memory, and it lasts through July 13th. Then we have the NBA’s Summer League. The Cavaliers will once again participate in the Vegas edition of Summer League. It runs from July 11th through the 21st. In fact, the Cavaliers play the Bucks on the first day of Summer League, which means we’ll get to see the first Andrew Wiggins vs Jabari Parker matchup. Finally, the Browns start Training Camp on July 25th, just four days after Summer League wraps up. Not to mention NBA free agency will be ongoing all month.
So there will be no shortage of things to occupy my sports interest this July.
*****
Kyrie is one loyal Cavalier!
Well, he’s a rich one, anyway. I had pre-written a segment last night about Kyrie for this morning’s WWW. When I woke up and saw the news that he had already agreed to sign, I was naturally ecstatic, but it also meant I had to completely scratch my Kyrie section and write a new one from the start. And you know what? I am perfectly fine with that.
I happened to still be up at midnight for the official start of free agency, and I decided to be smart ass and tweet:
Did Kyrie agree to sign yet?
— Andrew Schnitkey (@RockWFNY) July 1, 2014
I figured there was a very good chance that this would drag out a bit as both sides worked out some details. Boy was I wrong. Just a couple hours later came the tweets from Dan Gilbert, Adrian Wojnarowski, and my favorite one of them all, this tweet from Kyrie Irving:
I'm here for the long haul Cleveland!!! and I'm ecstatic!! Super excited and blessed to be here and apart of something special.#ClevelandKID
— Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving) July 1, 2014
Look, far be it from me to try to put a damper on anyone’s jubilation. Nobody is a bigger Kyrie fan than I am, and today is one of the happiest mornings I’ve had as a Cavs fan for a very long time. A 22 year old two-time All Star PG just decided to sign the longest contract possible to stay in Cleveland. The cynics will say “of course he did, it’s just about the money and now that he has the contract done he can try to force a trade out of Cleveland”. I’m cynical about a lot of things, but Kyrie Irving is not one of them. Despite all the external speculation about his relationships with coaches and teammates and his burning desire to get out of Cleveland, the fact is he has always said the right things and, outside his one big mistake on Fan Night a couple years ago, he has done the right things and represented the Cavaliers in a way that we should all be proud of.
There’s a good portion of the fan base that has never warmed up to Kyrie and has chosen to blame him for most of the Cavs problems. Maybe they’re right. Maybe it is mostly his fault. I can’t say anyone is right or wrong, it is only my opinion that the Cavs problems have been much more with the players, front office, and ownership issues than with the one really good basketball player this team has actually had.
I feel like some fans have kept Kyrie at a distance in part because of latent feelings of mistrust and heartbreak over LeBron leaving. It takes time to let someone back in after getting burned like that on national TV. But I hope now that Kyrie has shown he means it when he has always said he wanted to be here long term, some of those fans will start to loosen up and just enjoy Kyrie Irving for what he is rather than judge him for who he is not.
We don’t always get good days being Cleveland sports fans. But today is one of those good days!
And now back to my debbie downer stuff that was written before Kyrie agreed to sign…
*****
Will the Cavaliers be free agency players this summer?
I want to say yes. I really do. The Cavaliers have plenty of cap space as is, and they can more or less create as much cap space as they need. They have an exciting young core in Kyrie Irving, Andrew Wiggins, Dion Waiters, and Tristan Thompson (I guess). They have an intriguing new coach. They have incredible facilities and an owner who is more than happy to spend. And they have a pretty great fan base, too (if only that was a bigger factor….or even a factor at all). So why shouldn’t they be a free agency player?
The problem is, right now, it’s hard to find any information on any players being linked to the Cavaliers. I searched the web all over for rumors of any player having any interest in Cleveland whatsoever1. I found nothing.
That’s the hardest part of being a Cavaliers fan sometimes. It’s fun to fantasize about big free agency moves the team can make, but the reality is, free agents just aren’t interested in Cleveland unless the team is willing to overpay them to a degree that other teams won’t match. It’s just a brutal and harsh truth to swallow.
On Yahoo! Sports’s list of the Top Ten NBA Free Agents, not a single one is linked to Cleveland. NJ.com made a list of the Top 25 Free Agents and listed the top three most likely destinations for each of them. The only ones that had Cleveland in the list of three potential destinations are Lance Stephenson and Andray Blatche. ESPN.com did a roundtable discussion of the top free agents, and Cleveland wasn’t mentioned once anywhere. Lance Stephenson was mentioned as one of the most likely to be overpaid, so maybe Cleveland is inherently implied there. Finally, USA Today released their list of Five Teams to Watch When Free Agency Starts. No mention of Cleveland.
We’ll see what happens. I’m sure the Cavaliers will sign someone, but it just might be more of an Earl Clark type signing than a Chandler Parsons type deal. I hope I’m wrong. I hope David Griffin can succeed where Chris Grant failed and really bring in some exciting free agent targets. But history is not on Cleveland’s side.
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But at least the Cavs have Andrew Wiggins!
Last week I had WWW duties on Tuesday before the draft, so I still didn’t know who the Cavaliers were going to take. And while I was heartbroken over Joel Embiid’s injury, I had decided that I just wanted the Cavaliers to do the safe, smart, and relatively boring thing and take Andrew Wiggins. So I was ecstatic when they did just that.
When I say it was the boring move, I mean comparatively. In recent years the Cavs’ drafts have been an adventure. It was so enjoyable to have a nice, calm, relaxing evening knowing the Cavaliers had the player who was the consensus #1 pick for most of the previous year.
I don’t know how good Wiggins will be. Projecting potential is tricky. But I saw a photoshopped image of Wiggins next to 18 year old LeBron. I was struck by how similar their body types were. Not to say Wiggins will be even close to LeBron, but the photo got me thinking, what would have happened to LeBron’s draft stock had he been forced to go to college and then played in a system that maybe wasn’t exactly a perfect fit for him? Would playing in the slow constraints of 35 second shot clocks and deliberate offenses have hurt his stock at all like it did Wiggins? Perhaps.
I mean, there’s no reason to think LeBron wouldn’t have destroyed college players. He’s the best player in the world. But even thinking back to LeBron’s rookie year, as exciting as he was and as bright as you could see his future was, he wasn’t anything close to the dominant player he is today. These things can take time. So I hope fans can be somewhat patient with Wiggins as well. If Wiggins can grow into his body even to a degree half of what LeBron did it will only help his game. Wiggins may never be the physical presence LeBron is, and it’s silly that I keep mentioning their names together. It’s completely unfair to Wiggins. I just wanted to point out that Wiggins is an incredibly exciting prospect and the Cavaliers organization is unbelievably lucky to have won the lottery and have him. Now it’s up to the team to both be patient with him and also develop his skills and put him in the best position to succeed.
Anyway, check out Scott’s incredible Wiggins profile from yesterday. No matter what happens in free agency, this is a time to be excited about the Cavs and to allow ourselves to have a little hope.
*****
USMNT will win in whatever way is necessary
Today is a big day for another reason. The US team will face Belgium in the first knockout round of the World Cup today at 4:00 pm ET. I’m more nervous and excited for this game than I was for the Ghana game four years ago at this same point in the tournament. I feel like last World Cup the US felt a little lucky to have advanced thanks to Landon Donovan’s incredible late goal. This year, I feel like the team is more on a mission, making a statement by advancing out of the Group of Death.
I really want the team to capitalize on this opportunity to show the world that US soccer is on the rise and that Jürgen Klinsmann is changing the very perception and definition of what “US Soccer” stands for. I’ve made no secret of my personal admiration for Klinsmann and what he is trying to accomplish for the sport inside this country. But he is leaving behind a trail of scorned doubters along the way.
I’ve seen some criticism lately of Klinsmann’s philosophy of going out and recruiting multinationals to play for the US. It’s this idea that Klinsmann’s German heritage is an affront to what being a “real” American is all about. But this was a country founded on principles of inclusion. This country has been and continues to be far from perfect in that goal, but the American Dream stands for something real.
I suppose in a perfect world it would be nice if the USMNT only featured “true blue” Americans. I guess. But where would this team be without those multinationals? It was John Brooks who put in the winner against Ghana. It was Jermaine Jones whose incredible strike turned the tide against Portugal. Fabian Johnson has been one of the most consistent players for the US in the World Cup, flying down the sides and keeping possession for the US in attacks. When Jozy Altidore went down against Ghana, it was Aron Johannsson who stepped in and did the best he could. All of these players have one thing in common….they are all American citizens. They may not live in the US, English may not be their first language, they may not “look like us”. But they all have at least one American parent and they all are citizens of this country.
Klinsmann is dreaming big. People may not have liked his comments about it not being realistic to think the US can win the World Cup, but I think they missed the point he was trying to make. He’s trying to grow something special in the US Soccer establishment, and he’s not just trying to win this World Cup. He’s looking even bigger picture than that. And his first step was to raise the talent level of the entire team by looking at all Americans, not just those who are “real” Americans.
By bringing in some multinational Americans to elevate the play of the USMNT, Klinsmann is banking on elevating the national awareness of the sport as well. The US team has now made it to the knockout round in consecutive World Cups for the first time ever. That’s a huge achievement. But they can’t stop there. It’s time to start making some consistent noise in the knockout rounds as well. So today is a huge day for the team and the sport in general in this country. But even if they lose, I don’t think it’s the end. I think it’s only the beginning for future opportunities for this team. Those who only tangentially follow the sport may not care for all of Klinsmann’s antics, but I get what he’s doing and I’m really happy he’s in charge of US Soccer. I just hope he can follow through on his vision, and a big part of that starts today against Belgium.
This piece is a little old, but I loved what Aaron Gordon wrote for Sports on Earth on the topic of Klinsmann and his perceived “American-ness”:
American soccer differentiated itself from the European game only because it had to. Italy could have played an attacking style at any point, but it chose not to until recently. In the 1950s, Brazil adopted an individualistic, talent-driven style, because they had five of the best forwards in the world on the same team. England typically has deployed a rough defensive style, relying on long balls, because it fit their talent pool. Likewise, American soccer has relied on physical prowess and lots of running, because that’s what you do when you don’t have the instincts and skills to be in the right place at the right time. The team developed its identity not to align with American ideals, but because it was not very good at soccer.
But we are getting better, and as a result we are evolving. Largely due to an influx of continental players, the U.S. team has options now and is reaching beyond its previous identity, the way a toddler goes from a crawl to a walk. It’s a natural progression of a growing, improving entity, and here again, it has very little to do with a national identity.
We are not that different from Europe, but we are very different from what we imagine ourselves to be. The German journalist Josef Joffe once said that America is “less a country [than a] canvas, a continent-size Rorschach blot, on which to project their own preoccupations.” His observation holds true for American soccer. We can look at the same manager and come to two diametrically opposed conclusions as to whether he is a representation of American ideals, because America is whatever you want it to be.
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The Leftovers
Time to wrap up WWW with this week’s pop culture segment.
I don’t know if Lost is my absolute favorite drama of all time. But it’s Top Three for sure, right up there with Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones. I was on board with Lost from day one through the finale. I loved every second of it (with the exception of some of the middle parts of Season Three before the writers had set an end date for the show). As a result of my love of the show, I’ve been anticipating the new HBO drama The Leftovers for quite some time.
The Leftovers is based on the book by Tom Perrotta, and the show is being run by former Lost show runner Damon Lindleof. The show debuted last Sunday and….well…I don’t know how to feel about what I saw. Keeping this spoiler free, the premise of the show is that suddenly 2% of the world’s population just disappears in an instant. And nobody knows why. Was it the rapture? Was it something scientific? Was it something supernatural or alien? Nobody knows. And the show doesn’t really care, either.
You see, the show starts three years after the disappearances. Rather than focusing on the mystery of what happened, where those people are, and whether or not they’ll ever return, the show instead deals with those still living and how their lives have changed in dealing with the unexpected losses. The world of The Leftovers is dramatically different from the real world, but those still there try to masquerade their world as normal. To varying degrees and using dramatically different methods, everyone is just trying to cope.
And that’s where my issue with the show’s debut was. This was hands down the most wholly depressing pilot I have ever seen. I thought The Walking Dead was bleak, but that show has nothing on the soul-sucking emptiness of hope, happiness, and fulfillment we see in The Leftovers. There are no signs of redemption, no indicators that life is going to get better. In fact, there are clues that things are only going to get worse.
The show was directed by Peter Berg (of Friday Night Lights fame) and Lindleof and Perrotta are working together on the show’s script and direction. So there’s no reason this show shouldn’t be a success with those three guys leading the project. But I don’t know. I just don’t know if I can take a whole season of this show’s emptiness. I want to like this show, I really do. So I’m going to give it the whole season to win me over. But at some point I hope there is something to cling to. Some kind of chance for redemption for these characters. Otherwise, watching these zombie-like shells of human beings just wallowing their way through abject misery just might be a little too much even for me.
But I’d love to hear from you guys. If you watched the premiere, what did you think? Are you excited for more, or are feeling the same apprehension that I am? Let me know in the comments.
That’s it for me this week. I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July, and I’ll see you guys here next Tuesday!
I believe that we will win! Go USA!
- with the exception of a certain someone who I do not believe will really consider coming back [↩]
74 Comments
SPOILER ALERT:: Kind of… I thought the show was pretty good. It’s definitely dark. What was up with the deer? I think the weirdo twins nailed it on the head about the dogs and what was going to happen to people.
The Four-letter Network’s official stance on KI resigning is that he didn’t have a choice. I think I’ve heard that from 3 or 4 talking heads already.
I don’t like those people, and I hope they have a very inconvenient morning.
Yes, Kyrie plays like a inexperienced player, and yes, he took the money. He is also the same age as a college senior and could have taken a Max contract in any number of cities, so there are not many real reasons to complain about the situation. This a great problem to have – we just signed a 2 time all start that’s 22 and our concern is if he can get “title winning good”. No reason to act like he’s danny ferry 2.0. I think at worst he is Iverson 2.0 (great solo act, but can’t make a team a champion)
and even AI took a pile of crap to the finals. If that’s Kyrie’s floor, i’ll sign on.
either that, or if things go badly (ahem: injuries) and the Cavs have an 18 million dollar per year albatross, the story will be how ineptly the Cavs are run and “haha! Cleveland LOLZ” (cue Bill Simmons saying “this is what happens when you give a max contract to a guy with an injury history who has never won more than 35 games a season. Too bad the Cavs weren’t smart enough to know that”)
I want to be wrong. I want to be wrong. I want to be wrong. I want to be wrong. I want to be wrong. I want to be wrong. I want to be wrong.
Or, not-1, not-2, not-3….and we all get to laugh at them.
Right? That is a possibility too, right?
Kyrie will age better than Iverson (shoots better from distance), but even Irving doesn’t get to the rack like AI. That guy had no fear and might have been the quickest player to ever dribble a basketball.
I really want Greg Monroe. I want to pluck him from the Pistons and laugh hard at SVG when Detroit cannot match because they are paying Josh Smith and also have no rookie because we have Wiggins (hehe).
Please, please, let it happen.
Yep. It’s freaking hilarious. After reading all these reports about how the Cavs weren’t sold on giving Kyrie the max, Kyrie wants out, he won’t sign the max, he hates his teammates, blah, blah, blah….Even when Kyrie flat out called the reports “bullsh*t”….the reports kept coming.
But now that he signed? I’ve already seen like four articles saying well, duh, this always going to be the outcome. It’s so frustrating.
Sign me up. I think the Cavs are going to lose Hawes, leaving them pretty thin at center. Monroe can step right in and help.
Plus all those things you mentioned, too!
Yes, we still need a frontcourt paint scorer, so Monroe definitely fits a need and would actually be a pretty incredible fit on the team we have created. Those things I mentioned are just extra benefits that will make all of us happy 🙂
http://img.pandawhale.com/100478-happy-gru-gif-despicable-me-2-THhj.gif
I can’t figure out if the deer was real or in his mind? Is he going crazy like his dad apparently did??
I’m definitely been in the Suspicious of Kyrie Camp, due to the combination of his failure to play consistently hard in stretches of games and his failure to significantly improve aspects of his game over 3 years, all while he appears (appears) to devote greater to concern to his national “brand”: the commercials, all-star game performances, etc.
But will definitely give him the benefit of the doubt after his quick trigger last night. He’s going to make tens or hundreds of millions before he’s done, and he’s chosen to dig into one of the smaller markets. So he’s not incessantly warm and fuzzy to locals like LeBron was; that proved as much a calculated put-on as Kyrie suddenly accessing his charming side when he knows national attention is on him. His quick decision to dig in here help the org – the GM, the owner’s rep, the coach. He’s a great talent and still a kid. Let’s see what happens now.
[But Kyrie, this doesn’t give you a pass not to play defense]
replying here just to keep this discussion on the same thread.
I don’t get HBO but Andrew’s description above basically sold me on having to watch it once it is out to stream. I absolutely love the idea of it being dark and not doing the normal scripted thing of showing signs of redemption right away.
I had a non-American friend recently ask me why people here love playing football so much. It’s so tough on the body and July/August practices seem so brutal just to have so few games during the season. Well, that is just it. When you put in that much time, when it hurts that much, when you develop a complete dependency on something (even when it might be bad for awhile), is when you can truly gain something special. That first game of football season is always so emotional for the players and you can see it on the field (especially HS).
I imagine the writers are trying to achieve something similar with this series. Invest in the characters, in the hurt, in the struggle, which will only make the smaller and simpler joys that may come later seem that much bigger.
nope. Cleveland is always wrong. ESPN is always right. When ESPN is wrong, they make the leagues change the rules, so ESPN can be right. This is what happens when the tail wags the dog.
I disagree. When ESPN doesn’t like the answer, they just ignore it.
Shouldn’t San Antonio winning a 5th ring and putting an absolute exclamation point on Popovich and Duncan’s careers have been an incredibly big story after the Finals?
Naw, let’s just focus on whether or not players from the losing team will opt-out.
This kind of relates to how I feel about the discussion of whether Kyrie is worth the max or not. I think any talk of him not being worth it today is ridiculous. At this moment, he is just a 22 year old All Star PG who you give the max to without thinking twice.
BUT
That doesn’t mean he will automatically be worth the max five years from now. This contract doesn’t mean Kyrie is a complete player and he can rest on his accomplishments. He still has to continue to grow and develop.
I felt his frank discussion about how he could admit that he doesn’t have all the answers and how he needs to be a better leader, etc, was a tremendous show of maturity for Kyrie. I think (and hope) that he has a hunger to improve, but organizational support always helps with that. I’m hoping Blatt can finally be the coach who develops an offense that fits Kyrie and helps him operate in sync with his teammates.
yep. My problem (or insight?) about his admissions is that they might be part of his p.r. package – like when he admits he’s not engaged yet keeps dogging it or pouting. But it’s unfair to pretend to know this kid, even after three years. Recently been remembering how this fanbase was relatively cool to Terrell Brandon because they had already given their hearts to Mark Price, for various reasons. Brandon had a reserved personality but was a really fine all-around player and (imo) was every bit as talented as Price. Sometimes the fanhood thing is really subjective.
I really really liked the pilot. It is VERY bleak and that might be for everyone. However, I LOVE that the writers/director don’t dumb things down or put a silver lining on anything. They basically start right in the middle of the story and leave a lot of questions and mysteries. I really like that. What’s with the cult? What’s with the dog? The deer? One of the least intriguing questions is what actually happened to the people.
I think The Walking Dead is a good comparison. Walking Dead isn’t about zombies, it’s about the people who remain and what they are doing to deal with their situation.
I really want to know what is going on with the cult. They love smoking.
Kyrie wouldn’t have signed if Johnny Football didn’t shine such a huge spotlight on Cleveland.
I think the bigger question is.. who the hell is the guy at the desert resort where the police chief’s son works?
Totally forgot about him. So many questions… I love it. My brain is working overtime to figure all this stuff out, but there just isn’t enough info. Can’t wait for Sunday.
LeBron destroyed NBA players when he was in high school. I don’t think he would have looked anemic at all – in any system – had he gone to college. The Wiggins comparison is unfair since LeBron is arguably the greatest player ever. But i get your point.
AI is an all-timer. You have to be pretty special to be an all-timer. I don’t think Kyrie’s ceiling is that high.
the NHL called and say “what about us, you guys?”
If Justin Bieber shows up at a Browns game, I say we cut Manziel on the spot. Take his jersey right off his back on the sideline
This is an important point that I think a few people are overlooking. Five years/$90 million is merely the max allowable given the new CBA and his rookie contract. It’s *not* the same as the max deal that LeBron et al are seeking.
$18 million a year is a lot of money, but it’s what these players cost. When you take a player No. 1 overall, you should hope that they produce at a level commensurate with a “max” contract. The alternative (not including one that involves some mythical hometown discount) is that he isn’t worth the max deal, which would inherently mean that the pick was a bust.
“Anyway, check out Scott’s incredible Wiggins profile from yesterday.”
http://collegecandy.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/flattered.gif
So why watch?
I’m pissed I somehow managed not to start Dan Haren last night against the offensively anorexic Indians! ARGH!
I actually think LeBron would have had games where he seemed disinterested. This due to the fact that he knew he was leaving after one year, was going to be a top three pick, and felt bored with the college competition.
anorexic?
Manziel and Bieber party together? Manziel chose the right #, 2!
https://screen.yahoo.com/johnny-manziel-parties-justin-bieber-091949855.html
I think Kyrie has that ceiling. Not sure if he’ll get there, but it’s definitely out there for him.
artist rendering of bill simmons when lebron signs with cavs.
well, we have another 8 years before that happens
Anyone see the Indians mention in the Astros front office leak?
“[Stearns] spoke to [Indians AGM Mike Chernoff]: If Ubaldo accepts
qualifiying offer, they will have no payroll flexibility and will stand
pat. If Ubaldo declines, as they expect, they will be looking for a SP
and left-handed bat, preferably in OF. They think their bullpen is fine.
They have received calls on Santana”
Motumbo was the most valuable player on that roster. And that 2000-2001 East might have been worse than this year’s version.
no real surpise there.
“we just signed a 2 time all star”
I’m so frustrated with this rallying cry. It had more to do with his popularity than his ability on the court.
Irving just finished 75th in the NBA in win shares per 48. He finished 42nd in adjusted plus-minus, among PGs only.
Irving has some special talents and is exciting to watch on a court, but there still some serious holes in his game, which are a big reason that this team hasn’t really even threatened the 8 seed yet with him on the roster.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/when-to-sign-an-nba-player-to-the-max/
Certainly need to think twice. Irving has a decent probability of being the type of player that busts your roster by tying up so much money in.
Yeah, or among any of the leaks for that matter. Interesting that the data can get out, but nothing seemed like anything that wouldn’t normally be discussed. Even the outlandishly one-sided trade proposals.
So, still no thoughts on the WC game?
Reposting from the last WC article:
What are people expecting/hoping to see today, especially with a possible return of Altidore? I’m actually ok with the offense without him, and would be fine using him as a later sub, as he’s probably not 100% anyway.
I like the idea of keeping Gonzalez in after that performance and moving Cameron to RB. Johnson’s going to have his hands full with Hazard, and will be more useful anyway in a more forward role. Every last bit of height against Fellaini won’t hurt either. I’d guess I’d start Bedoya on the other side, but don’t see how he’ll last 90 mins.
Yedlin for Gonzalez (Cameron back to CB, Johnson to RB) if they need a goal please. Loved that attacking combination on the right side.
I agree. I understand they want people to get hooked, but so many unanswered questions. I found myself more confused than intrigued after watching the pilot.
bahahaha
I’m a masochist. Plus there’s little else on at the gym in the AM.
Also, I think anyone complaining about the USMNT roster being not-American needs to looks at rosters of all non-Brazilian teams.
Spain employed a Brazilian striker at this WC (though maybe to their detriment). Germany’s top goal scorer on their roster was born in Poland. Italy starts an American born player. Algeria’s roster pretty much was the French B team.
no chance you risk Altidore early. I’ve played enough sports to know that he has a nasty injury. I bet his leg won’t be 100% for 6 more weeks. If it’s close at the end I’d consider throwing him on, but not unless it’s desperation time.
Yedlin looks to have a role. Akron boy.
Cameron belongs at RB and I agree with your assessment of Gonzalez. I wonder if they won’t try to get Beasley on Hazard’s side just for his pace.
Note: he is still younger than some incoming rookies
Awards and honors
2010 McDonald’s All-American team selection
2010 Nike Hoop Summit All-American team selection
2010 Jordan Brand High School All-American team selection
2011 NBA Draft 1st Overall Draft Pick
2011–12 NBA Rookie of the Month, December, January, February, March
2012 Rising Stars Challenge MVP
2012 NBA Rookie of the Year Award
2012 NBA All-Rookie First Team
2013 Three-Point Shootout winner
2013 NBA All-Star
NBA Live 14 cover athlete
2014 NBA All-Star
2014 NBA All-Star Game MVP
basketball metrics. boring and misleading.