Jonny Flynn is a name the basketball world hasn’t heard much since his 2012 stint with the Portland Trail Blazers. However, his name suddenly resurfaced on social media after HBO announced that actor Johnny Flynn had been cast as Lucius Malfoy in the upcoming Harry Potter series, leading to many fan reactions.
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Many users playfully confused the actor with the former Minnesota Timberwolves point guard, resulting in a plethora of humorous posts.
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Over the years, Jonny Flynn has become infamous for being picked ahead of Stephen Curry in the 2009 NBA draft. To make matters worse for Minnesota, they also selected Ricky Rubio at #5, just one spot before Jonny at #6.
Jonny had a fairly memorable rookie season, averaging 13.5 points and 4.4 assists per game and earning All-Rookie Team honors. However, his career was never the same after he injured his hip in the final game of the 2009–2010 regular season.
Though he returned the following year, Jonny never regained his initial form, averaging just 5.3 points and 3.4 assists. By the end of the 2011–2012 season, he was out of the league.
Minnesota Timberwolves picked Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio over Steph Curry due to Dell Curry
Minnesota sports fans often criticize the Timberwolves' management for not selecting Steph Curry in the 2009 draft twice. However, the decision to acquire Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio at #5 and #6 was made after Dell Curry explicitly stated that he did not want his son to play in Minnesota.
Years after the infamous draft, former Timberwolves general manager David Kahn disclosed what had transpired in the draft combine.
“The agent for Steph Curry told me that Steph’s father, Dell, did not want his son to be drafted by Minnesota—“No offense,” as I recall Jeff Austin, his agent saying to me at the Chicago draft combine,” Kahn recollected, via Sports Illustrated.
“Jeff Austin, who I'd known casually, had represented Dell Curry when he was a player. He had been handed Steph due to his connection to Dell and told me this was a family request. “I really need your help on this,” Jeff said, explaining why there would be no visit and perhaps even hell-to-pay.”
Steph Curry wasn’t the only future All-Star the Timberwolves passed on in the 2009 draft. Other players, such as DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, and Jeff Teague, were also available, selecting any of whom could have significantly altered the course of the franchise.
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