Flynn's Road to NBA Started One Magical Night at The Garden
by Ricky Henne, NYKnicks.com
Posted Jun 9 2009 9:30 p.m.
Syracuse's Jonny Flynn discusses the six-overtime thriller at MSG
They say there are seminal moments in everyone's life that changes them forever.
For Jonny Flynn, that moment came on March 12, 2009 when he turned in a legendary performance in Syracuse's 127-117, six-overtime win over Connecticut.
"Before that (game), people on the East Coast or even in the Northeast knew who Jonny Flynn was," said Flynn. "But playing a game on ESPN that was nationally televised that went that long so when even people got off work they could watch that game, I think that's when Jonny Flynn became a household name."
All Flynn did that night is record a game-high 34 points, 11 assists and six steals while playing a mind-numbing 67 minutes. The game was the longest in Big East history and second in Division-1 history, and it has changed his life forever.
"It's been different," he admits. "I remember going out in New York the next day and people were knowing me in New York City. The Big Apple, a huge city, and people know little old Jonny Flynn. It really did a lot to me towards my NBA draft stock and people just finding out who I am. That game really put it in my mind that I maybe could leave college."
Fast forward three months, and Flynn is talking to the New York media following a pre-draft workout with the Knicks, talking about what he brings to the table should the Knicks draft him with the eighth overall pick.
"I think (the Knicks system) is every basketball players type of offense," he explained. "Growing up playing at the park or recreational center, you are shooting the ball running up and down the court in ten seconds without even knowing about it. I think to go to a system where you're running and gunning and the coach is allowing you to do that (it's) the best situation for any point guard that loves to push the tempo.
"I think I can be a good piece to the puzzle. I don't think they have a hole in their team. You look at Nate Robinson and Chris Duhon, two great players with two great seasons they had, I don't think there is a hole at the point guard spot but I can be that point guard that can distribute the ball as well as get his own shot."
A humble young man who is confident without being arrogant, he continued explaining why his draft stock is skyrocketing.
"I think if you've seen my two years at Syracuse, you've seen me have big assist games where I got my teammates involved and also had games where I got big points. But I think I balanced those two things well and I can bring that to an NBA franchise. I think I've done enough and my rap sheet is good enough to show that I am one of the best guards in this deep point guard class."
The 6-foot-1, 196-pounder played at The Garden throughout his collegiate career, and relishes the historic nature of the building.
"It's like a stage out there," he said with an ear to ear grin. "With the lights and the crowd, it's like a Broadway show out there. There is nothing like playing competitive basketball at Madison Square Garden." Clearly, Flynn is a basketball player through and through who relishes the history of the game. Fittingly, he appreciates the meaning of the epic six-overtime game itself and not only what it did for him personally is not lost on the impressive youngster.
"Just everything (about it was special)," he says. "Big East Tournament. Madison Square Garden. ESPN. It was just a great historic day in Big East basketball and college basketball and I'm just honored to be part of an epic game like that."
Still, Flynn's renowned will to win seeped through as he continued speaking.
"I'm just happy we got the win. I didn't want to be the guy playing (67 minutes) and then we lost the game. I'm happy we won the game and that our strength and conditioning coach put me in enough shape leading up to that game and the whole season to get me through that game. At that point, I was still about winning a National Championship. I was thinking about winning as many games as we could to win a National Championship."
On June 25, Flynn begins what promises to be a lengthy and successful tenure in the NBA. But when he retires, he will look back at March 12, 2009 as the springboard and catalyst for his prosperous career.
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Defensive Specialist Holiday Looks to Lock Down High Pick
by Mike Slane, NYKnicks.com
Posted Jun 10 2009 9:00 p.m.
For a team looking for help on defense, it makes perfect sense that the New York Knicks worked out UCLA freshman Jrue Holiday before the 2009 NBA Draft.
Holiday, one of the best defensive point guards in the draft, was among six prospects at the team's training center Tuesday showcasing their talents in front of President Donnie Walsh and Head Coach Mike D'Antoni in hopes of catching on with one of the league's most storied franchises.
New York holds the eighth pick in the upcoming draft.
"I'd be a part of history playing at Madison Square Garden as my home gym," Holiday said. "Next to the Lakers, because I live in L.A., this is the place to be basketball-wise."
Standing 6-feet-4, Holiday is the tallest and perhaps most intriguing point guard in the draft. His 6-7 wingspan and 8-4 standing reach also measured the longest of all point guards, placing him among the top defensive prospects in the draft.
Holiday's long arms help him collect steals and deflections along the perimeter, two intangibles D'Antoni constantly looks for from his perimeter players. Holiday could also help on the glass and would provide additional shot blocking for the Knicks, who ranked last in the league in rejections last season.
Pointing out former Bruins Trevor Ariza, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook, among others, Holiday believes he could be the latest product of UCLA to come out early and shine as a defender in the NBA.
"There are a lot of people in the league who don't play defense like UCLA players do," he said.
Not only could Holiday fill the need for another quality defender in the Knicks' backcourt, but he could also give the Knicks another floor leader in D'Antoni's fast-paced offense. New York loves to run, and Holiday is known for his high basketball IQ and good vision on the court.
"I can distribute the ball, I'm a leader and I can definitely see the floor and get it to the open man," Holiday said. "And I can score myself."
Holiday's averages of 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists during his first and only season with the Bruins barely matched his potential, but most NBA experts are still projecting him to be a lottery pick. The 18-year-old was forced to play out of position at shooting guard when Darren Collison unexpectedly returned for another season, which is likely the reason for his mediocre numbers.
"Darren was our starting point guard for four years and the senior captain of the team. He took us to the Final Four three times, so he knew what he was doing," Holiday said.
Holiday might not have had the opportunity to showoff his point guard skills in college, but he believes the draft workouts will show enough teams that he can play both guard positions.
"I think it helps me because they see that I can play off-guard as well as point guard. I'm showing them my point guard skills now," he said. "They saw that I can play the two, but I'm playing the one now."
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