Duke Blue Planet BLOG

This week, Kyrie Irving  was named NBA Rookie of the Year, continued a national campaign with Pepsi Max in entertaining fashion (see “Uncle Drew”  video below) and also was featured in GQ Magazine.  Not a bad week for the young phenom…

Thanks again to everyone who participated today in #12at12.  I appreciate all of the questions, responses and retweets.  If you missed it, here is a recap…

#12at12 – 5/18/12

Ready, aim, fire away – I am ready for your questions!! #12at12

“RT @dukeblue1206: What Duke coaches will be traveling to the Olympics?”Coach K,CC, & I will b in London. Cape & Nate will be at Duke.

“RT @JJRedick: @steve_wojo who is the weirdest player you have ever coached?” Can’t name names, but he grew up in a shed on Cave Mountain.

“@JRO1523: @steve_wojo what’s your favorite moment as a coach at duke?” The 2010 National Championship! Incredibly special group.

“@dukefan805: what are your assumptions for this years team?”We believe we r going to b very good & season can’t get here fast enough!

“@DdotAg: What was your favorite place to play or coach other than Cameron?” Favorite place to play was Cole Field House!

“@Gladdy1234: what are the biggest challenges coaching “big men” considering you are not a “big man?” Carrying the ladder around practice.

“@CoachKimel:what is the most challenging aspect of coaching Duke Athletes?” Expect excellence in every area & r very hard on themselves.

“@ramlog:how do u deal w/being such a polarizing team w/haters?”Mama said, “Don’t wrestle w/pigs-you both get muddy & the pigs will like it”

“@Hollandaise33: who wins one on one you or coach Collins?” We only play on the same team and we are undefeated. @coach_collins

“@SSmoak: What one word describes Duke the best?” EXCELLENCE!!!

Thanks for all the great questions!! Trivia time! First correct response to the following 2 questions will win Duke T-Shirt. #12at12

Since 1986, what % of Coach K’s 4 year guys have both graduated from Duke AND played in a Final 4? #12at12trivia

RT @JJRedick @steve_wojo @Hollandaise33 @coach_collins this is a lie. I dropped 60 on them last October and they took an L.

“RT @MotorCityMania: @steve_wojo 88″ You are correct and you win! We will follow up. Thanks!!

How many points did Duke players in the NBA score in the 2011-2012 season? #12at12trivia

“RT @lukedennison: @steve_wojo 8292″ Damn son – that was quick and correct! You win and we will follow up.

That’s a wrap!! I appreciate all who participated in #12at12. Maybe we will do it again sometime. THANKS!!

The most visible stories of teamwork in Cameron Indoor tend to involve talented athletes who wear Duke jerseys almost daily during basketball season.  At every home game in which Duke players are dropping dimes and finishing alley-oops, a terrific team behind the team works together as well.  Led by Director of Game Operations Bob Weiseman and Director of Facilities Mike Ryan, with the help of many (including staff from the world-class Duke Medical Center), the gameday operations team provides essential service and support every game.

This operations staff was challenged at the highest level when Georgia Tech visited in 2011.  After a fan suffered a heart attack mid-game, an unbelievable Duke team worked together to provide emergency care and much more.  The result: one of the best examples of teamwork Cameron has ever seen did not involve a basketball at all.

On Friday at noon, I am going to hop on Twitter to interact with fans and ask a couple of trivia questions for the debut of #12at12. Here’s how it works and how you can participate:

*Send a question about Duke Basketball or anything else on your mind to me @steve_wojo any time now until #12at12 ends Friday afternoon.

*Be ready to answer Duke Basketball trivia questions tomorrow at noon (hint: it wouldn’t hurt if you’ve read some #dukefacts).

*I will answer 10 questions and ask two trivia questions.

*The first follower of @steve_wojo to answer each trivia question will win a Duke tee-shirt.

Thanks and I look forward to your #12at12 questions and participation,

Coach Wojo

After arguably the finest first-year season by a point guard in NBA history, Kyrie Irving was named 2011-12 Rookie of the Year.  The young phenom averaged 18.5 PPG and 5.4 APG, becoming one of just six rookies in NBA history to average at least 18 points and five assists.  Kyrie was a runaway winner with 117 of a possible 120 first-place votes.

“There is no limit for me,” said the New Jersey native.  ”The only way I can go is up.  That’s the only way I want to go.  This season was a learning experience.  I learned what to do and what not to do.  Going forward, I want to apply it next season and take it to another level.”

The first pick of the 2011 NBA Draft helped the Cavs improve their winning percentage from .232 (19-63) in 2010-11 to .318 (21-45), hitting three game-winning shots along the way.   One of the highlights of Kyrie’s season came during All-Star weekend when he was named MVP of the Rising Stars game after pouring in 34 points and hitting all eight of his 3pt FG attempts.

“When we selected Kyrie a short time ago, obviously his on-court ability dazzled everyone,” said Cleveland GM Chris Grant.  “But it was what he was made of off the court — from a character standpoint, for the work ethic, for his willingness to overcome adversity, his toughness and his vision that got us excited.  There was no question, when we made the decision to draft him with the No. 1 overall pick last year, he was clearly the guy for us.”

“From a coaching standpoint, (he’s) one of the easiest guys I’ve ever had to deal with,” added Cavs head coach Byron Scott.  “A pleasure to coach, a guy who’ll do anything you ask from a coaching standpoint and more.  (He’s) a guy who takes his job very seriously, who takes getting better very seriously (and) understands what he can become in this league with hard work.”

Congrats to Kyrie on a well-deserved and very impressive honor.

In the News
*Kyrie wins rookie of year (AP)
*Head of the Class (Cavs.com)
*Perfect Point Guard (ESPN Insider)
*Father/Son Share Joy (Cleveland.com)
*Irving Named Rookie of the Year (Cavs.com)
*Kyrie’s Press Conference (Cavs.com)
*Rookie Legacy: Big Talent, Little Ego 

NBA Rookies of the Year from Duke
Grant Hill (1994-95), Elton Brand (1999-00), Kyrie Irving (2011-12)
*Coach K is the only active coach who has mentored three different NBA Rookie of the Year award winners. 

No. 1 Draft Picks Who Averaged 18 PPG/5 APG as Rookies
Oscar Robetson, Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving

What They’re Saying About Kyrie
“Kyrie Irving is the Rookie of the Year. Kyrie is doing it all.  He’s so explosive.  The difference is everyone game-plans for Kyrie.  They don’t game-plan for some of the others.”
- Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson

“I see no reason he wouldn’t be at the same level as the Chris Pauls and the Derrick Roses and those guys.  He’s got size.  He’s quick.  He takes the ball to the basket.  He makes good decisions.  He’s shooting over 40 percent from [3-point range].  He defends.  Even right now, let’s say conservatively, he’s in the top seven or eight point guards in the league … I knew he was good in the little bit I’d seen. But then you sit and watch him … oh my God.”
- Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy

“He’s taking Cleveland where they were a few years ago before LeBron left.  It’s a big void to fill, but he’s doing a great job.”
- Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce

“He has a great feel for the game, he’s tremendously skilled, a good athlete and really confident.  I think he’s on his way.”
- Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash

NBA.com on Kyrie’s ROY honor

Kyrie interviewed by ESPN about his season

DBP Kyrie Irving Duke Highlights