However, unlike many other of these "so-called" Orange fans, another reaction quickly developed: a big smile on my face.
Now, that might sound crazy to some of you reading, but let me explain myself. I was not smiling because I was happy with Jonny's departure (God no), but rather it was a smile followed by a shaking of the head, almost like I was saying, "Yeah, I knew him staying would be too good to be true."
Think about it for a second: Syracuse is listed in the Top 3 in the country for nearly every outlet's (very) early college basketball rankings. The one catch that entire time? That JONNY FLYNN comes back. This goes beyond Paul and Eric, which we will cover in our season recap podcast later this week. For now, we are just focusing on Jonny and the unfair vilification that he has been quietly yet steadily receiving all day.
Now, I am as big of an SU fan as they come. Next year had me already psyched out of my mind for the type of team that we might have had. As long as we had our stud Jonny, we'd be fine, regardless of anyone else who came back. I had been holding out hope he would stick to his word and return for his Junior year, as he mentioned a few weeks ago. This is the one move I can't fully defend Jonny on, because if he really did not know his future at the time, he should have avoided the question differently. But I can understand his anxiety to get the question out of the way, however, as I would probably do the same thing if people bombarded me with it one hundred times every single day.
So you can imagine how tough it was for me to hear he had finally declared for good. However, you would be sorely mistaken to think I was surprised. I had been saying from the middle of the year that Jonny would declare for the draft, simply because of two things:
1. He had become a household name and seen his stock rise every week
2. The overall weakness of this year's draft comapred to the previous couple of years
This isn't Donte Greene coming out in a LOADED freshman class, this is Jonny Flynn coming out as one of the best point guard's in the country of a weaker draft. Yes, he may be out of the lottery, but this kid is a top 20 pick. That's saying something.
Look at the picture of Jonny I posted at the top of the page. Taken just about 2 years ago, he is simply a very good senior basketball player from Niagara Falls, New York, trying to accomplish his dream of playing basketball in college and beyond. I know the feeling, because two years ago I was in the same exact position as a high school senior. I've loved basketball my entire life, and if I had been as talented as Jonny or some of these other guys my age, making the NBA still would have seemed like a dream to me.
Flash forward two years. Jonny still has the same aspirations and goals that he had when he was just an ordinary kid from Western New York, only now, he has accomplished a little more. A sweet 16 run, countless highlights, countless records for Freshmen and Sophomores in the Syracuse record books, an amazing summer playing the likes of LeBron and Chris Paul. Jonny went from relative unknown, simply a "packaged deal" so Syracuse could sign "superstar" Paul Harris, to one of the best point guards in the entire country.
Take a step back and answer, what would you do? No, don't think like a selfish Syracuse fan for one second and put yourself in Jonny's shoes back as a senior in high school. This is your dream from the day you begin playing basketball. This is what you've worked for your entire life, a chance to get drafted in the National basketball association, in the top 15 no less!
Unless you are somewhat mentally challenged, you're declaring for the draft too.
When I read these posts on Jonny's facebook wall, I have to stop myself from getting legitimately angry at some of these people. The way they're berating Jonny, talking about "how good we could have been," or questioning "why go now when you could be number 1 next year," makes me absolutely sick. Who are any of you people to tell Jonny Freaking Flynn what to do with his life? If someone offers you millions to take your wildest dream job, with the caveat of quitting your current job, are you going to do that? ABSOLUTELY!
Syracuse fans need to really evaluate their priorities in life if spending their time questioning a 20 year old kid is the only thing they have to do with their time.
Could Jonny have handled the entire "I'm coming back thing" a little differently? Sure. Do we as fans have a right to be disappointed with how quickly our "2010 Championship Squad" fell apart in just a week? You bet. But does anyone in their right mind have the privledge to question a college Sophomore on a decision that not only sets up his family for life, but at the same time accomplishes one of his life long dreams? Not even close.
Good luck in the NBA Jonny, and thanks for all the memories these past few years. It's been a pleasure to watch you; I, along with any SU fan being true to themselves, respects your decision.
Tear up the NBA, we'll be watching.
- Jake the Snake
