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Chapter 65: I got you
🕑 Added 2025-04-21 13:46:26 +0000 UTCAs one of the top basketball schools in the U.S., Syracuse was no joke. Most Chinese fans probably know it because it’s where Carmelo Anthony came from—yeah, that Melo, Nuggets star and part of that legendary 2003 NBA draft.
Back then, it was all about two names: LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. LeBron was the high school prodigy, a once-in-a-generation type. Melo? He led Syracuse to a national championship before jumping to the league. Both were pegged as franchise guys by scouts from day one.
And yeah, looking back, it’s easy to judge who turned out better—but in college? Melo was a monster. Winning it all as a freshman and going top-three in the draft and being no.3? That doesn’t happen often.
Now, fast forward to 2009, a year known for one thing: guards. Seriously, this class was stacked. Harden, Curry, DeRozan, Rubio, Collison, Jrue Holiday—they all went on to sign big contracts. Two even won MVPs.
And in the middle of that madness? Jonny Flynn.
The same Jonny Flynn who dropped 34 points in six overtimes against the UConn Huskies. Dude played 67 minutes. That’s not a game, that’s a shift at a factory.
Flynn was fast, explosive, and fearless. Scouts loved him.
“Jumper is still developing,” they said. “Elite athleticism, big-game heart.”
On paper, he looked like a future star.
And to be fair, in college? He was legit.
But the NBA is a different beast.
His rookie season? Solid—13.5 points, 4.4 assists. Then came the injuries. Year two, he dropped off hard. By year three? He was barely hanging on.
His biggest issue? Size. At 6-foot (maybe), Flynn didn’t have the shot to keep defenders honest. Unlike CP3 or AI, he couldn’t punish you from mid-range. And unlike Westbrook, his finishing at the rim was shaky.
Also, he got drafted by the Timberwolves. Enough said.
If you’ve watched the NBA for the last decade, you know Minnesota’s front office makes lottery picks disappear like magic tricks. In 2009, they passed on Steph Curry—not once, but twice. Took Rubio and then Flynn.
Flynn had a window. If he had developed a jumper, maybe things would’ve worked out. But with Rubio on the way, the Wolves bailed. Flynn got hurt, and the rest is history.
Looking back, maybe Curry fans should thank the Timberwolves. If he had ended up there, who knows how things would've gone?
Meanwhile, in the NCAA, Flynn and Curry were going toe-to-toe all season. Flynn was averaging 18 points and 7 assists, running the show for Syracuse. Curry? Putting up 29 and 10 in a weaker league, but changing the game with his range.
Going into the Sweet Sixteen, Curry was projected third in the ESPN mock draft. Flynn wasn’t far behind.
Syracuse wasn’t just Flynn, either. They had Paul Harris, a top-three scorer in the Big East. Big man Eric Devendorf and enforcer Rick Jackson. None of them made the NBA, but in college, they were stars.
Kinda like the Wildcats. Not a one-man show. Real team ball.
And let’s be real: making it to the NBA? That’s a miracle. There are hundreds of guys every year with crazy talent who never get the call. Even role players in the league were once campus gods.
That’s what makes the NBA so wild—it’s not just about talent. It’s about staying healthy, staying sharp, and landing in the right spot.
Back in the hotel, Curry was sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor.
“Lin,” he muttered, “I have to outplay Jonny Flynn.”
Lin Yi looked up from his laptop. “Why?”
“New York’s looking at him, too.”
Ah. Now it made sense.
Lin chuckled. “So… this is personal?”
“Damn right it is,” Curry said, tightening his fists.
That’s all Lin needed to hear.
Flynn had to go.
Later that night, Lin met with Coach McKillop to offer some ideas.
Beating Flynn wasn’t rocket science. The trick? Don’t force Curry into a head-to-head. Let him cook elsewhere.
Back then, NCAA coaches were still pretty old-school. Matchups mattered. Teams weren’t switching everything yet. So you had to work for your mismatches.
Instead of having Steph chase Flynn, let him attack bigs off pick-and-rolls. Lin would be the screen, just like Bogut did for Steph in Golden State.
Run-and-gun, catch defenders sleeping in transition, feed Steph on the break. And make sure he gets his assists up. Good stats would keep him in New York’s sights.
Lin was happy to help. After all, Steph had done a lot for him, too. Sacrificed touches. Shared the spotlight.
Steph Curry was the first real friend Lin made after coming to the States.
And if Flynn stood between Curry and his dream?
Well, then Flynn was in for a long night.
