Jonny Flynn established himself as one of the top point guards in the country last year, in addition to being one of the nations best freshmen. This season, scouts have been looking for him to take his game to the next show and show that he can be a capable scorer and distributor at the next level.
Standing at what looks to be a legitimate 60 with a skinny frame, Flynn is much shorter than the prototypical NBA point guard. He makes up for his lack of size, however, with very good quickness and explosiveness. While the odds are somewhat against Flynn based on his lack of ideal size, the recent NBA trend of successful smaller point guards, combined with his athleticism, certainly helps his cause.
In terms of his actual point guard ability, Flynn has made some improvements this season, but shows on a constant basis that he still has a good deal to learn about the position. This season in particular, however, he looks more comfortable running the offense, playing the pick and roll well, finding his teammates at a good rate, and even working better in drive and dish situations. He has increased his assist average slightly, putting him in the middle of the pack statistically compared with other point guard prospects in the various metrics.
The problem still seems to be that he does not know his limitations, especially while slashing to the rim. While his quickness off the dribble and excellent first step allow him to get by his defender, he tends to have tunnel vision, looking to pass only if he is in the air and there is no chance to get a shot off. Most of the time, however, situations like this end in a blocked shot or a turnover, most of the 3.2 he averages per game, which situates him below some of the better point guards in the draft. If he slows down and lets the game come to him, rather than forcing decisions constantly, then he could develop into a quality point guard at the next level. With this in mind, scouts will be looking for him to finish the season strong, looking to see improvement in his decision-making abilities finding his teammates and scoring the basketball, particularly in the big games hell be playing in March.
His shot selection, actually, may be the most important improvement he needs to make before he can consider himself a first round lock. He has a fairly prolific mid-range game and attacks the basket regularly, but seems to lack the size and the bulk to project as a good finisher at the next level. He does have a lightening quick first step and can drive with either hand, which, if his decision-making improves, should allow him to be extremely effective in drive and dish situations. Even at this level, he is prone to getting his shot blocked or find himself in a situation whether the only option is to throw up a prayer or commit a turnover.
With that said, his perimeter jumper is likely the area in his offensive game in most need of improvement. The subpar 34.3% he shoots on 3.8 attempts her game has more to do with bad shot selection than with his form, which actually looks quite good. He displays a quick release, but needs to make sure his shooting motion is consistent. Sometimes he will shoot straight up with little extra movement, but other times he will kick his leg out or fade to the side. Consistency combined with better shot selection should allow Flynn to get his shot off and be an efficient perimeter shooter at the next level.
Defensively, Flynn looks like he may be physically limited on the ball at the next level. He still does not look incredibly enthusiastic on the defensive end of the floor, though in such a restrictive system it is difficult to project how good of a man defender he is. It is needless to say that, should he declare this summer, he will have to show scouts that he is capable of working hard on the defensive end of the floor, despite the disadvantages that his size provides.
At the end of the day, Flynn looks like a solid point guard prospect, capable of working his way into the late first round and potentially even higher if he can lead Syracuse on a deep run and show scouts that his decision making is improving. There arent many pure point guards who display Flynns combination of athleticism and scoring instincts, particularly from mid-range. With Syracuses season winding to a close and very few left chances to prove himself at a high level before the conference tournament rolls around, Flynn should have the season finale, a match up at Marquette, circled on his calendar. Hell face one of the NCAAs premier perimeter defenders in
Jerel McNeal, providing scouts the opportunity to evaluate him against an NBA caliber defensive player. It is moments like these in which Flynn must excel and prove to scouts that he has the maturity and skill to man the point at the next level.
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