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The Daily OrangeMBB | Boeheim, Orange laud newfound depth at annual media day festivities
By Tyler Dunne
Posted: 10/20/08, 4:49 AM EST Section: Sports
His coach could not be serious. Jonny Flynn stared at the reporter blankly, stepped back and then gave a "Pssh…" wave of his wrist.
"Twenty minutes?! Nah…nah…nah."
About 30 minutes earlier at his press conference, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim suggested that the Orange's depth this season could allow him to platoon players similar to how he did with Team USA at the Beijing Olympics this past summer. Twenty minutes apiece. Keep the treads fresh.
Sporting his signature grin, Flynn laughed off the idea of his workload getting sliced in half, laughing, "I'll go for 30, 25. Not 20."
For a young team last year ravaged by injuries, the mere discussion of minute-distribution is a total change. The vibe was predictably buoyant during Syracuse's media day Thursday at Manley Field House. For what looks to be a deeper Syracuse squad, though, Thursday was one loud, soothing, sigh of relief.
"After the injuries last year we didn't have many decisions to make," Boeheim said. "We played the guys as long as they could stand up. This year we expect to be able to play nine guys minimum."
Back from ACL injuries are the team's two best shooters - Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins, who Paul Harris labeled the "best shooter in the country." Back are four starters, including Flynn, who The Sporting News dubbed the best point guard in the nation. And new are freshmen Mookie Jones and Kris Joseph, who are "going to play … going to be a part of it," Boeheim assured.
OK, so maybe less is more for Flynn, who played more than any other player in the Big East at 39.17 minutes a game. After a few moments of denial, he gradually warmed up to Boeheim's hypothetical. Especially after last season's crash course on the Big East.
"Being out there as a freshman, playing a lot of minutes, I had to grow up quick," Flynn said. "I say I played two seasons last year. I think I'm about to be a junior right now."
Flynn's spiked aging process should slow down this season. When Devendorf and Rautins went down, four starters - Flynn, Paul Harris, Arinze Onuaku and Donte Greene - were forced to play at least 30 minutes apiece. Syracuse wore down late in games. The Orange blew a 22-point lead to Massachusetts in the NIT semifinals with 14 minutes left and an 11-point lead to Pittsburgh with four minutes left.
"Twenty minutes?! Nah…nah…nah."
About 30 minutes earlier at his press conference, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim suggested that the Orange's depth this season could allow him to platoon players similar to how he did with Team USA at the Beijing Olympics this past summer. Twenty minutes apiece. Keep the treads fresh.
Sporting his signature grin, Flynn laughed off the idea of his workload getting sliced in half, laughing, "I'll go for 30, 25. Not 20."
For a young team last year ravaged by injuries, the mere discussion of minute-distribution is a total change. The vibe was predictably buoyant during Syracuse's media day Thursday at Manley Field House. For what looks to be a deeper Syracuse squad, though, Thursday was one loud, soothing, sigh of relief.
"After the injuries last year we didn't have many decisions to make," Boeheim said. "We played the guys as long as they could stand up. This year we expect to be able to play nine guys minimum."
Back from ACL injuries are the team's two best shooters - Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins, who Paul Harris labeled the "best shooter in the country." Back are four starters, including Flynn, who The Sporting News dubbed the best point guard in the nation. And new are freshmen Mookie Jones and Kris Joseph, who are "going to play … going to be a part of it," Boeheim assured.
OK, so maybe less is more for Flynn, who played more than any other player in the Big East at 39.17 minutes a game. After a few moments of denial, he gradually warmed up to Boeheim's hypothetical. Especially after last season's crash course on the Big East.
"Being out there as a freshman, playing a lot of minutes, I had to grow up quick," Flynn said. "I say I played two seasons last year. I think I'm about to be a junior right now."
Flynn's spiked aging process should slow down this season. When Devendorf and Rautins went down, four starters - Flynn, Paul Harris, Arinze Onuaku and Donte Greene - were forced to play at least 30 minutes apiece. Syracuse wore down late in games. The Orange blew a 22-point lead to Massachusetts in the NIT semifinals with 14 minutes left and an 11-point lead to Pittsburgh with four minutes left.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Manlius Maven
posted 10/20/08 @ 8:43 AM EST
Mite as well get used to it. This concpet could hamper Flynn's ranking for the NBA draft next June.
Also heard that Eric is still limping as seen yesterday at a gathering
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