"Heeeere's Jonny!"

Written by Erik

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 03:49

rubio-bite-ball First of all, allow me to offer some sympathy to the Minnesota Timberwolves fans. Ricky Rubio is moving to Regal FC Barcelona, and will be eligible to sign with an NBA team in 2011 (on CBSSports)(on ESPN). I'm sure the Wolves fans were hoping to see Rubio play for their team this season. It would have been exciting (?) - well at the very least interesting.

Silver Lining: The drama is over. For now.

The Good News: The Wolves' coaching staff can now fully focus their efforts on grooming 6th overall pick, Jonny Flynn, as the official orchestrator of their fresh up-tempo offense under new coach, Kurt Rambis.

Fantasy: We can shake-off the headache of figuring where to rank to rookie point guards potentially competing for playing time on the same team. We can move on. We can forget about the Wolves' "proyecto de busto" (Draft Bust). Heck, we won't even be thinking about it in 2010, as our eyes will be on the big names that will actually matter to our make-believe team management game. 2011 is just too far away for us to care about it right now.

I generally do not like to focus on rookies. I have no statistical basis to properly propound a prognosis for their potential fantasy performance. I just hate that. Don't you?

In the end, I felt that this high-profile story needed it's due fantasy spin.

Does this news improve Jonny Flynn's fantasy value?

jonny flynn

Hell, yes! Now that we can say "adios!"to Rubio; It's all "Heeeere's Jonny!" from here on out. By virtue of sheer opportunity and lack of playing time competition, should be able to muster some decent fantasy significance. - That's the Optimist's view. The Cynic would be overly cautious, and be worried that Flynn might get afflicted with the "Mike Conley Jr. Effect" - A hyped rookie point guard, who failed many fantasy drafters and owners' expectations in the 2007-08 NBA season. Sorry Mike, but that was an 8th round pick I burned to secure you, and my fantasy ego has healed but still rubs that scar every now and then. I know you're much better now, but we still can't be together. I'm afraid Allen Iverson will get between us and break up our fantasy love affair!

So how do we begin to assess Jonny Flynn? For starters, let's take a quick look at how he did in the Summer League.

Read the stat recap HERE.

Here are some highlights.

Jonny is 6'0" at 185 lbs. Yes, his size may be an issue when we're talking about the giants that patrol the paint in the NBA. But word is that the kid's got a vicious first-step and is competent at getting to the hoop.

In his last year in Syracuse, Flynn averaged 17 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.2 3PTM, 1.4 SPG, 46 FG%, 78.6 FT%, and 3.4 TOs.

Yes, I know that all of that will most likely change. So what then, are his Upside Points?

He will be distributing the ball to Al Jefferson and Kevin Love. Good reason to expect 5-6 APG or more.
Based on the T-Wolves' depth charts, he is going to be tutored and relieved by Chucky Atkins; who is around a thousand years old. (In fantasy NBA years)
He is purported to be a good defender. So we should be able to expect at least 1.X steals.
What he lacks in size, this kid makes up for in speed. An up-tempo offense should translate into both FG% and assist boosting situations.

Areas for concern:

Poor jump-shooting = downward dragging force against his FG%
1 3PTM a night looks like the best we can expect for now.
TURNOVERS - Rookies make them, and he will be no different. It could hit the 3+ per game range and that's a huge bummer especially in rotisserie leagues.

Q: When should we draft Jonny?

A: He is best looked at as a 3rd-string PG for your fantasy team. Given all the PG talent lying around this season. Flynn should still be available in the 10th round. There should be no need to reach for him earlier than the 9th.

Image credits:

Rubio: Geurra Eterna dot com
Flynn: madnessletters.com