Andrew Wiggins is the perfect man to carry all that pressure
Now that the much-hyped wing is indeed the No. 1 pick, his responsibility is to put Cleveland, Canada and the entire 2014 class on his back.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The suit that Andrew Wiggins had on Thursday evening for the 2014 NBA Draft was nothing less than absurd. The brazen ensemble he rocked included a floppy bow tie, loafers with no socks and a jacket that looked like it might’ve been made out of your great aunt’s curtains. He looked like he should be an unlockable character in Harlem Nights.
And yet, the outfit was perfect. That outfit was making a statement for Wiggins without saying a single word. “You see me. Take a long look. Can you handle it? I’m going to be here for a while. Bask in it.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers liked the look and selected Wiggins with their first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, and now the former Kansas Jayhawk has been tapped to lead a rebirth in northeast Ohio. While Wiggins will technically be filling the role most recently held by current free agent Luol Deng, it is inevitable that folks in Cleveland will expect their new small forward to put on the superstar cape previously worn and discarded by LeBron James.
Putting on that cape is the reason why some look at Cleveland as the new-age Siberia, where players go to suffer in mediocrity while the organization continues to stumble over itself. Maybe it’s why the No. 2 pick in this draft, Jabari Parker, was rumored to have done everything in his power (like possibly tanking his workout with Cleveland) to be drafted by Milwaukee (!!!) instead of the Cavs. Maybe it’s why there’s been so much angst about Kyrie Irving staying past the duration of his rookie contract. Maybe it’s the reason why Kevin Love reportedly suggested there was “no chance” he’d sign long-term with Cleveland if he were traded there, although he surely offered the caveat that if LeBron returned to wear the cap then he’d be down for the cause.
Cleveland’s choice of Wiggins was all about choosing the person who would have the audacity to try and thrive there in spite of all the past transgressions. Did you see Wiggins’ suit? The man is plenty audacious.
Sam Forencich/NBA
We have to remember that Wiggins has been hyped as being potentially the country’s greatest basketball player ever. The Cavaliers already have Anthony Bennett, a Canadian who went No. 1 in last year’s draft, but everyone knew Wiggins would probably go No. 1 in that draft, too. That’s how much hype Wiggins carried with him.
“We all had hoop dreams, we all wanted to play in the NBA. It’s huge, especially having three people that high in the draft. I don’t think that’s ever been done before in Canada, maybe we’ve had one or two. But now we have three guys.”
Now he’ll be the lead dog, with three Canadians on the roster (Bennett and Tristan Thompson) and a league that’s beginning to take more and more players from above the border. Wiggins, No. 8 pick Nik Stauskas and No. 18 pick Tyler Ennis all made appearances on the stage with Adam Silver on Thursday night. One can already envision what a Team Canada organized by Steve Nash could look like in the future.
It’ll be Wiggins who will lead that charge and fearlessly wear “Canada” on his chest. With Drake providing the soundtrack and soon-to-be honorary Canadian Johnny Manziel in charge of all party festivities, could this become another legitimate threat to the USA’s reign atop the basketball throne?
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The best thing about this draft class is that Wiggins has a dance partner forever paired with him for the rest of his career. With Jabari Parker going No. 2 to the Milwaukee Bucks, there’s a rivalry for the rest of their careers. We’ve seen this before in 2003 with LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, as well as in 1993 with Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning.
The Wiggins vs. Parker debate has happened since their high school days, and now both will be charged to uphold the hype placed on this 2014 class. Some have said that this class will eventually be better than 1984, 1996 and 2003, which on first observation sounds absurd. Fifteen years from now, maybe we’ll feel differently about the class. Still, 2014 has a chance.
we've been waiting with bated breath on the Canadian import for years.
Andrew Wiggins’ career in the NBA is finally beginning, but we’ve been waiting with bated breath on the Canadian import for years. Now’s his time to shine and live up to those gaudy expectations placed on his shoulders. Can he be the guy who puts on Superman’s cape and brings the Cavaliers back into relevancy? Can Wiggins be the guy who leads a golden generation of Canadian players who are ready to change the landscape of basketball? Can Wiggins be the once-in-a-decade talent who makes fans debate 2014’s draft class for years to come?
Wiggins is boldly going places with expectations that no Canadian player’s ever experienced before. Hopefully we can all just enjoy the ride.
Happy Hour drink recommendation: The Borden Chase. This drink pays homage to “The Chase” that took place during Thursday’s NBA Draft. Everyone (except Philly) went out there and really added players they thought were immediately going to help them, and that doesn’t happen often. So, a tip of the hat and clink of the glass to all those NBA fans who now have hope again. You deserve it.
Have a great weekend, everybody. Enjoy.
TGIF.
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