Flynn’s Defense Needs Improving

Minnesota Timberwolves’ rookie point guard Jonny Flynn is playing with a great tempo and high emotion, but his defense needs a lot of work.

Flynn played a lot of zone defense at Syracuse University, but he needs to understand NBA man-to-man defense.  The game against the Boston Celtics is a perfect example, when Flynn allowed Celtics’ Rajon Rondo to score a team-high 18 points.  To give Flynn a little break, point guard Ramon Sessions allowed a few of those 18 points while Flynn sat on the bench.  But I doubt it would have made a difference if Flynn had replaced Sessions.

Flynn appears to be constantly leaving his assigned man and giving help against someone else, something he did back in Syracuse when they played zone defense.  Ultimately, this is coach Kurt Rambis and his coaching staff’s fault.

Luckily, the Timberwolves hired Darrick Martin as a new player personnel coach.  Martin played in the NBA at the point guard position, so he will help coach Flynn to play NBA-style defense.

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