Jonny Flynn, Summer League sensation.
The Warriors face the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first time this season tonight, so I thought I’d share my notes and observations from Vegas Summer “Glimpse” 2009, especially with the GoldenStateOfMind.com community, where I’ve been posting for three years (GSoM permalink), and since the Warriors often play defense like a Summer League team!
Note: Vegas Summer League is a complete misnomer. It’s not a league. In a league, you have round-robin games that make sense and where you care who wins, you have playoffs, and you have a championship. Therefore, I call it Summer Glimpse.
Each year, new guys you didn’t have time to watch in their college stints, or you never heard of from overseas, will turn heads in the Glimpse. In 2007, it was Marco Belinelli (‘07 NBA Draft pick #18), which he followed up with two totally forgettable regular seasons including a drop-off-a-cliff Summer Glimpse ‘08 in between, although playing for the Warriors and a coach who plays mind games can probably do that to a young prospect.
In 2008, it was Jerryd Bayless (‘08 #11), who will eventually break out in an NBA regular season, as soon as someone gives him playing time.
In Glimpse ‘09, only three months ago, it was…well, Blake Griffin (‘09 #1), but you already knew that. The surprise glimpse had to be Jonny Flynn (‘09 #6). Very similar to Bayless, during Glimpse ‘09 Flynn surgically dismantled whomever was guarding him. I was also satisfied by the play of Flynn’s fellow Minnesota Timberwolves rookie, shooting guard Wayne Ellington (‘09 #28).
Incidentally, I was impressed by Tyreke Evans (‘09 #4) as well, albeit not as much as Flynn, but yesterday I was running 54 games in Dream League, so I didn’t have time to blog about it. And I certainly don’t have as much to rave about ‘Reke as I do Flynn. Still, I’ll save that and a glimpse of Spencer Hawes (‘07 #10, yikes) from 2007, plus a quickie glimpse of Omri Casspi (‘09 #23), for a separate “post-mortem post” (considering that the Warriors got blown out by the Kings last night), later today or tomorrow.
Back to Flynn, then Ellington. I said it in my live-tweet from Glimpse ‘09, but Flynn is kinda like Tim Hardaway in his ability to use his shoulder and power to the rim, albeit without the “UTEP two-step”. Flynn can just scissor his way through traffic, plain and simple.
Also, Flynn has incredible court vision for being his size and entering the land of the trees in the paint. He just seems to know where his shooters will be, be it three-ball-corner-pocket style or at seemingly impossible angles way back up at the elbow or top. By contrast, Bayless does not quite have this vision (yet?), a very difficult skill to master.
Jerryd Bayless over Jonny Flynn, for now.
On the other hand, I concluded that at this point, I’d actually pick Bayless over Flynn, in that Bayless is still a bit more of a lethal weapon with a variety of daggers, like a floater and a jumper which Flynn does not have yet. Plus, Bayless has one more year of experience under his belt, although with Flynn starting everyday, he will be surpassed by Flynn shortly in that category. Such is life, but I’m sure the Bayless camp has concluded that in terms of business, it is still not yet the time to cause a stir with Portland management. Bayless has to wait for his opportunity there until further notice.
Finally, Flynn clearly loves the game. I mean, who doesn’t, but at times after brilliant plays, he’s often smiling and having fun. He’s in a perfect situation in Minnesota as there’s no pressure to win. Everyone has their own personality, but Flynn’s happens to coincide with what fits well right now in the NBA.
Contrast that to the demeanor of other types of players like Casspi, who’s really intense, hard on himself, and not bashful about displaying his emotions, even if it is self-effacing and filled with F-bombs (again, another great feature of Vegas Summer Glimpse is you get to see all this close up!). Or take Belinelli on the other side of the spectrum. Can anybody look or act more passive and without emotion? Whatever floats your boat.
Just like Michael Jordan said in his book Rare Air: Scottie Pippen’s more like a predator who prefers to join a pack of wolves to destroy you, whereas MJ would set out to attack you on his own if need be. To each his own, but I like Flynn’s approach so far. It shows that he gets it and, as such, he’ll hit his prime and mature faster than the average player.
Every year someone in Summer Glimpse makes an extraordinary play you had no idea the guy could make. Bayless had one last year (read my previously linked write-up). Griffin had several this summer, which I will write about when the Warriors play against him healthy.
Check this one out by Flynn. Against the Wizards, who have high hopes with 6′11″ Andray Blatche (‘05 #49), Flynn steals a rebound loose ball from a wrongway-leaning Blatche near the Wizards’ free throw line and on the ensuing 3-on-1 triangular-shaped fast break with Flynn in the middle with the ball, he does a right-handed windmill behind-the-back pass (!) to his teammate on the left, who subsequently gets hammered, ensuring free throws but also that the highlight will never make it to ESPN. Maybe it has made it to YouTube, but I don’t have enough time in the day to search for it, so if someone knows about this play, please link in the comments!
The following is my live-tweet, filtered for only Flynn-relevant tweets. If you want to skip to Ellington’s analysis, please scroll down…
Jonny Flynn’s just able to scissor his way into the paint.
Flynn just somehow always knows where his shooters are. He penetrates the defense a little and can kick out at tough angles.
MIN needs to get itself a big-time shooter or else they’re wasting Flynn’s talents…for example if they had Anthony Morrow, that’d be the unsung but high potential 1-2 in the Association.
Lets start counting out of how many times Flynn wants to scissor into the paint, he’s successful.
It’s too bad MIN didn’t/doesn’t play POR for a Jonny Flynn vs Jerryd Bayless matchup. Now that would be fun to watch.
He got in the paint again! And-one!
He’s like Tim Hardaway without the UTEP-two-step. Instead he just uses his shoulder.
Flynn thread needle early offense pass to streaker layup from halfcourt right side! Wow!
That was a bounce pass from halfcourt. I just saw Tyreke Evans and I’d take Flynn at point any day.
Flynn now defending Nick Young.
Without dunking, Jonny Flynn just posterized Dominic McGuire. Rose up, cocked, use strong left fore-arm to fend off McGuire…who is taller by 9″, and scored the finger roll.
That settles it. Jonny Flynn and Jerryd Bayless: two best, most exciting point guards in summer league.
Thunder vs Bulls is in other gym, but OKC plays at 1p and Bulls at 2p tomorrow so i’ll stay here and watch Flynn.
Dare I say that Jonny Flynn has better vision than Jerryd Bayless? I think he might.
Flynn is not starting 2nd half, but I think he played the entire 1st half.
Bobby Brown, darling of TrueHoop last summer, is the pg for MIN while Flynn’s on bench.
Yes! Flynn’s back in after a timeout.
Nick Young’s got confidence and he’s been working om his jumper. Work on it some more, get more consistency, and maybe he can start.
Tyrese Rice vs Flynn at pg now.
Series of crossovers by Flynn on Rice but he ended up throwing it away, misreading Ellington. On that play, Flynn seemed to get quicker!
Got into the paint again splitting the double team, hung, 2 pts on scoop. He’s smiling back downcourt. Kid’s having fun.
Gerald Henderson with a poor man’s (young) Grant Hill move, initiated by Flynn’s attack of paint, of course.
MIN reb 5 sec left, outlet to Flynn, and he crosses over Rice badly left to right, fallaway baseline jumper no good at buzz but crowd in awe
Flynn is human. First possession 4th qtr, Rice takes Flynn off dribble. Good offense always beats good D.
Flynn gets into paint AGAIN. Jump stop, layup 2 pts. This is getting to be routine.
Flynn scissors left side this time and finds Ellington 3 ball corner pocket.
Next time down, Rice covers ground on Flynn drive and blocks it off him.
Andray Blatche turnaround airball left side. Horrible. He walks around as if he’d rather be doing something else.
OMG! Flynn steals a rebound loose ball from Blatche leaning wrong way near Flynn’s FT line…it’s 3on1 triangle w Flynn at FT line and he does a RH windmill behind the back pass to his left guy (Kurz)!!!…or was it Parada. Who cares, guy gets hammered but that was a highlight that won’t be shown for Jonny Flynn.
Another assist for Flynn off dribble. How many dimes does he have?
Another Flynn assist to trey.
Up 4, 45 sec left and Flynn gets into paint righthanded AGAIN. Missed layup on contact from defender, trying to draw F but big man reb FTs.
I guess it’s too late for this, but WAS shouldve just sagged way off Flynn and forced him to shoot. Hasn’t happened once all game.
Oleskiy Pecherov unwittingly attempts a trey with 19 sec left up 3 after Flynn passed to him but expecting it back. CLM.
Back in my professional days at Andersen Consulting, that’s a Career Limiting Move (CLM).
The slight difference betw Jerryd Bayless and Jonny Flynn is Jerryd dishes near the limit of his drive…while Flynn can dish before he gets stuck. However Jerryd has a floater and jumper. They’re quite close tho. Flynn got ridiculous upside.
So I think I’d have to pick Jerryd Bayless over Jonny Flynn because Jerryd has more dimensions right now plus 1 yr exp. Tuf not 2 pik Flynn.
I haven’t seen all the lottery picks, but in hindsight #2 shouldve been Jonny Flynn.
Jonny Flynn penetrates and uses his body to fend off 7′2″ 265 Luke Nevill of Utah. Remember Flynn is 6′0″.
Julian Wright is now switched on Flynn, sags way back but Flynn does not shoot.
8 sec left, Flynn dances at top of key (stutters, no joke), launches trey as defender sags…SWISH!
Pecherov hecklers yell ‘MONEY!” and Flynn points to him. I told ya earlier. Flynn is having fun. What a great pick by MIN.
I meant Jonny Flynn points in acknowledgement to the Pecherov hecklers for saying “money”.
Is there anything Flynn can’t do? So MIN is doing a pretty good job of oressing on the made basket and Flynn is about to rcv a soft lob…inbound that could get picked so he pretends the ball isn’t coming to him and snags it at the last second, fooling Earl Calloway.
Flynn drew three guys and dished to Pecherov. Having fun w Oecherov on ensuing FT attempts by Corey Brewer who got putback dunk attempt.
Flynn spins around outside, big man helps, yet he finds Brewer wide open deep opposite corner trey attempt.
As the guys behind me are saying about Jonny Flynn, “Thts court vision at its finest”.
They’ve just announced that Jonny Flynn will be signing autographs in the lobby after. Should be a mob scene.
Flynn’s so quick, he’s able to stop on a dime on defense and avoid getting hit on the high screen. I’ve seen NO other guards do that here.
Flynn finally took a bad trey. Down three with one min, nobody moving so why not. But missed badly.
Wayne Ellingtondeep trey in 7′0″ Earl Barron’s face. Oh so smooth.
8 sec left on shotclk, down 2, about 30 sec left game clk and Flynn drives on Carroll, 2 guys come up…and of course he somehow finds Ellington deep right corner trey but off rim!
How the heck did Jonny Flynn find Wayne Ellington on that one?
Wayne Ellington (MIN 28th) shooting with a lot of confidence. He’s got a dead eye.
This brings us, of course, to Ellington. The thing I like about Ellington is he appears to be not only a great sharp-shooter, but also a very smart player. Contrast that with Morrow, who may be more like a chicken running around with his head cut off, albeit a deadly, single-minded chicken assassin!
Wayne Ellington's sweet stroke.
As you can see in the live-tweet filtered on Ellington below, Ellington was able to stop himself from the process of launching an open trey as his coaches yelled, “Last shot!” with about 15 seconds remaining in the quarter. You don’t find many rookies or guys in their early twenties who have the presence of mind to go against instinct.
At the end of another quarter, with time winding down again, there was a few seconds of differential between the shotclock and the game clock. The shotclock went off as a teammate missed a shot that hit the rim, yet Ellington had the presence of mind to keep playing. He drove hard and got a layup as the game clock expired.
Now, this may seem obvious to you, but I will tell you right now — because remember, I watch ten to fourteen hours straight of adult basketball every Sunday — nine out of ten Regular Joes would stop playing, thinking that the shotclock buzzer that just went off was the game buzzer. Let’s not overestimate our NBA guys, either. I don’t think many rookies have that extra slice of brainpower developed yet to distinguish between how much is left on the shotclock with how much is left on the game clock. There’s just too much going on in a game to have more than a few things on the plate in the mind of an NBA rookie. But to have that IQ coming in, tells me that Ellington is a cerebral player.
Here are my live-tweets regarding Ellington…
Wayne Ellington (MIN 28th) shooting with a lot of confidence. He’s got a dead eye.
I like MIN’s backcourt: Jonny Flynn, Ellington, and Gerald Henderson. We’ll see.
Ellington had an open trey look but coaches said “last shot” so he was able to stop himself, got fouled on drive anyways.
That tells me he has high IQ. He’s not just a one-track mind, one-dimensional player. He can ball.
Sure enough, at end of qtr, shotclock went off but he had presence of mind to keep playing cuz there was still time on main clock, got reb, drove hard and got a layin at buzzer. It’s really hard oncourt to know diff betw buzzers. Kudos. Smart.
Series of crossovers by Flynn on Rice but he ended up throwing it away, misreading Ellington. On that play, Flynn seemed to get quicker!
Flynn scissors left side this time and finds Ellington 3 ball corner pocket.
Wayne Ellington: sweet stroke whether or not it goes in.
Gerald Henderson sweet floater. He’s bigger than Wayne Ellington of course but Wayne gets his shot up easier, slightly quicker than Gerald.
Henderson and Ellington very similar tho, as most ppl prolly already know.
Wayne Ellingtondeep trey in 7′0″ Earl Barron’s face. Oh so smooth.
8 sec left on shotclk, down 2, about 30 sec left game clk and Flynn drives on Carroll, 2 guys come up…and of course he somehow finds Ellington deep right corner trey but off rim!
How the heck did Jonny Flynn find Wayne Ellington on that one?
Wayne Ellington misses deep trey from same spot he drilled on Barron earlier. Misses left badly. End of game.
Not to end this on a downer, but if I’m going full circle on the Minnesota Timberwolves draft picks as I’ve seen them for the past three years, I have to mention Corey Brewer. I’ve seen nothing special from him from two straight years of Summer Glimpse play. He’s kinda like a poor man’s Stacey Augmon, which isn’t saying much. Now, when you’re hella skinny, you better have some game. Take Anthony Randolph or Austin Daye, for example. But Brewer, he has no moves. He can’t shoot. I’m not sure he’s the best defender either.
But he’s a good athlete who has a great attitude and played for a high-exposure program, so there you go. And maybe he has those intangibles that Augmon had. Locker-room presence? Work ethic? As an outsider, who knows. But there seem to be so many other players on the draft board that should’ve gotten picked before him (I won’t even bother to start making a list). Nonetheless, I think he does have potential somewhere in there and I’m hopeful to see what that is, soon.
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