Analysis On Jonny Flynn and His Chances At Becoming An Elite Point Guard

Even though I'm happy that the Rubio fiasco is over, I'm also sad at the same time. But as a Timberwolves fan, writer and analyst, I choose not to dwell on that (which is why I didn't write an article on it).

Let's move on.

Jonny Flynn!

I guess taking two point guards back to back wasn't so dumb now huh?

Now that we know who's going to be our starting point guard, I felt that I should offer a little analysis on Jonny Flynn, and how successful he's going to be running the point.

This analysis will go into depth as far as his teamates, chemistry, athleticism, passing and leadership skills. But first, let's get into his summer league play.

Summer League

Its obvious that Jonny Flynn is a pure point guard. He demonstrated incredible leadership abiliites that even impressed retired NBA point guard turned assistant coach Sam Cassell.

He's incredibly charismatic, and has embraced Minnesota since day one, and every single situation that he could possibly be in.

During the summer league, he demonstrated all of these traits to the absolute fullest. And all in all, despite only having two concrete players alongside him in Corey Brewer and Wayne Ellington, Jonny Flynn made it work with the worst of situations.

Chemistry and Passing

In the game against the Development League Select, Jonny Flynn distributed 14 assists. Five of those assists were to Wayne Ellington, while four of them were 3-pointers. Three of those assists were to Corey Brewer. That's already eight total.

It's apparent that Flynn had some good chemistry with Corey Brewer and Wayne Ellington, even on alley oop plays with Corey Brewer and Garet Siler, Jonny Flynn through crisp lob passes.

Despite his high number of turnovers, Jonny Flynn is a pure point with a great court vision, it's now about getting the team chemistry down to a science.

Scoring

I do not think scoring is going to be a problem for Jonny Flynn. He can get to the goal at will, and has such a blaring quickness, that it will make a defender think twice before they challenge him.

Jonny Flynn averaged 15 points and 7.5 assists in the summer league, which is pretty impressive for a 6'0'' point guard, or any point guard for that matter. But it's those numbers that do not impress me as much as his efficient scoring during the summer league.

Jonny Flynn shot nearly 60 percent from the 3-point line, and 48 percent from the field overall. Compared to the other elite point guards in the summer league, it's no wonder that combined with Jonny's efficient scoring and his assists, he was named Rookie Of The Month. But because Blake Griffin was a rookie and was named MVP of the summer league, you have to name Jonny Flynn Co-MVP.

Jonny Flynn also averaged two rebounds, one steal and shot 91 percent from the free throw line in the summer league.

When I say Jonny Flynn get's to the goal at will, I mean when he get's to the goal, he puts it in almost automatically. This would explain why Jonny Flynn had 22 free throw attempts in the summer league.

He has some absolute amazing body control when he's taking contact from opposition a foot taller than him.

Leadership

He's a true floor general, on and off the court. If there was one clear cut comparison to Chris Paul for Jonny Flynn, it would have to be his leadership abilities.

He's quick to speak out to his teamates as he was wired during a summer league game, shouting to Corey Brewer and Wayne Ellington.

Now that we have gotton all those qualities down, I would like to cover exactly how will Jonny Flynn do for the Timberwolves.

With Ricky Rubio staying over in Europe, Jonny Flynn is almost guaranteed a starting job. I will now evaluate the chemistry that Jonny Flynn can have with the Timberwolves key players.

Al Jefferson (C/PF): Is it right for me to think that Jonny Flynn is going to make Jefferson much better? I look at last years team, and our starting point guard Sebastian Telfair was not able to create shots in the post consistently for Al Jefferson. He did not have the penetrating ability and the strength to create easy baskets for Jefferson, and most of the time, he was seen merely dumping it down to Jefferson and letting him go to work. With Jonny Flynn, a true penetrating point guard, I can definetly see easy baskets for Jefferson.

Kevin Love (PF): Can you say "one of the best pick and roll duo." Kevin Love is an absolute monster when it comes to the pick and roll, and is one of the best bigs that can move well without the ball. Kevin Love is a complete hustler on the court, often diving for balls and playing scrappy defense. Jonny Flynn can get easy baskets to Kevin Love in the same way that he does Jefferson. Imagine Flynn coming down the lane while Jefferson's getting double teamed and holding Jefferson down, can you see Kevin Love creeping out to about 18 feet and shooting a mid range jumper? With Kevin Love's skillset, it will be easier for Love to get baskets working with Flynn.

Ryan Hollins (C): All I see is a Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler alley oop here. Ryan Hollins is an absolute athlete to be a big man, and is not afraid to dunk on anybody. He's an incredible leaper and with Jefferson and Hollins on the floor at the same time, most likely the attention is going to be on Jefferson, which will allow Flynn to throw a simple lob pass to Hollins. Hollins will benefit from Flynn in that way, and it also gives Flynn a big man to get screens from.

Ryan Gomes (SF/PF): Ryan Gomes is a guy that I am confident is going to hit an open pull up 3-pointer. Jonny Flynn was seen penetrating all through the defense and kicking it out to Wayne Ellington many many times for open three pointers, and I don't see why he wouldn't do it for Gomes. Gomes is also not a bad runner on the fast break, and has been seen displaying finesse moves that are unlike him. Ryan Gomes is a gym rat. Ryan Gomes will get some easy 3-point shots, which make the Timberwolves more effective.

Corey Brewer (SG/SF): Jonny Flynn and Corey Brewer on a fast break? I would not want to be a defender on those two. Corey Brewer and Jonny Flynn can hit you in a variety of ways. Jonny Flynn can feed off the attention on Brewer and throw down a dunk, or he can alley oop it to Corey Brewer like he did in the summer league. Corey Brewer can also get open jump shots on the wing, or can receive a dish from Flynn as he's cutting into the lane. Either way, Corey Brewer will look better with Flynn on the court.

Wayne Ellington (SG): Just about every shot Wayne Ellington took from behind the 3-point line was from a dish from Jonny Flynn. Wayne Ellington shot 58 percent from the 3-point line, he shot 23 in five games. Need I say more on that? Wayne Ellington with his shooting ability can spred the defense for Jonny Flynn, since he's always willing to shoot from behind the 3-point line. Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington already have a chemistry, which will bode well for the two rookies.

Olekisy Pecherov (C/PF): Although I'm sure that this guy won't receive too many minutes, I do have to add that he can shoot the ball. He wasn't Wayne Ellington or Jonny Flynn from the 3-point line, but he is willing to shoot the ball unlike Mike Miller. Pecherov was seen in the summer league receiving a dish from Flynn, and those attempts are way better than him trying to do it himself.

Overall, I do think that Flynn will be better than Sebastian Telfair was in his first year. If Flynn gives us what Telfair gives us then that would be great, and anything more would be unbelievable.

In the Rubio fiasco, Jonny Flynn was the clear cut winner. His leadership and charisma will command the respect of his teammates. I am happy to call Flynn a wolf, and I am confident that Flynn is franchise player capable. He's that good. Now all he has to do is show it.

Thanks for reading!