When things don't work out in the NBA, there are worse places that a former Syracuse Orange basketball player can go than the Pacific Rim. Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris both won championships there
When I tried to venture a guess in 2011 as to which Syracuse player would be the next to dominate the Pacific Rim, here's what I said about Jonny:
Let's face it, to say Jonny's career has been a disappointment would be an understatement. He was screwed since day one after getting drafted by the black hole known as the Minnesota Timberwolves and hasn't done himself any favors since. I can't imagine there's too many other teams interested in his services and sooner or later Minny is either going to throw him in a trade as a salary dump or just let him go. When that happens, he might kick around the league for a couple years, but, assuming he doesn't improve substantially, it won't be for long. So I say, head to the Rim and become a superstar again.
When I'm right, I'm right. Jonny's off to the land downunder.
Former top-10 NBA draft pick Jonny Flynn signed with the Melbourne Tigers of Australia's National Basketball League.
The New Zealand Herald reports Flynn is expected to train with his teammates as early as Tuesday and could play Friday night against Adelaide 36ers.
If the Tigers sound familiar, that's because that's the same team that Eric Devendorf played with briefly after dominating New Zealand.
Lest you think Jonny's NBA career is dead in the (Pacific) water, he does have some kind of clause in his contract that allows him to leave if an NBA team comes calling.
His contract with the Tigers is believed to include an ''out'' clause to allow him to return to the NBA if the chance arises, as happened when Patty Mills left the club after 10 matches last season.
Word on the street is that the Detroit Pistons were interested but had too many contracts. But if one goes away...
Either way, play on Young Flynn and keep Syracuse's dominance of the Pacific Rim going.