TMJF: Clippers 93, Wolves 90

Stat Line: 22 minutes, 4-8 FG, 1-1 3FG, 4-4 FT, 13 pts, 3 rebs, 4 assts, 1 stl, 5 TOs.

It was a tale of two halves in Los Angeles for Minnesota's rookie point guard. You see the above stat line? Jonny Flynn amassed all of it, save four minutes and four turnovers, before halftime.

Flynn played very well in the first 24 minutes, contributing a nice balance of scoring and setting up his teammates. His only mis-steps were a missed connection on a pick-and-roll at the end of the first quarter and a back-rimmed jam that would have been Sportscenter material (the kid can really get up). Flynn got 18 minutes at point guard in the first half, while Ramon Sessions, who played 31 minutes to Flynn's 19 in Phoenix on Sunday, got just six.

Things changed quickly after halftime. On the Wolves' first possession after the break, Flynn threw an ill-advised lob pass that was intercepted by Eric Gordon. I was in attendance -- having scored $100 face value tickets for a cool ten bucks off of Stubhub -- and so I couldn't rewind the play to see whether Flynn was completely at fault or Corey Brewer broke off his cut to the basket. Four possessions later, Flynn over-dribbled with no real purpose and had the ball stolen by Rasual Butler. At 10:19 left in the third quarter, Flynn went to the bench, where he'd stay for the next 17 minutes of game time.

Entering for Sessions down 84-82 with 5:05 remaining, Flynn was called for walking a minute and a half later, having taken an extra step as he forced his way to the basket. As the Clips brought the ball up, Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis called Sessions' name, and Sessions was at the table waiting to check in when Flynn threw a predictable lob pass on a fast break that Baron Davis easily swallowed up.

It's clear that, early on at least, Rambis has a short hook for Flynn. My best guess is that he wants to break Flynn of the habit of over-penetrating, a noble goal. But the tactic of sitting a guy -- particularly for a long stretch -- the first time he does something you don't like is a dangerous one, and a decidedly different approach than the one taken by Paul Westphal with Tyreke Evans in Sacramento and Scott Skiles with Brandon Jennings in Milwaukee. Having entrusted the starting role to Flynn, Rambis needs to give him some room to learn the position. Either that, or Rambis needs to decide that Flynn isn't ready for the responsibility, install Sessions as the starter, and have Flynn come off the bench. I think the former is the smart play, but starting a guy and yanking him quickly is a recipe for messing with his head and stunting his development. If Rambis is concerned with winning now, then the latitude he gives to other Wolves players, Brewer especially, is puzzling.

* * *
An amusing note from tonight's game: At some point in the first half, Clippers center Chris Kaman went to the line, and an "M-V-P!" chant started in the crowd, a nod to Kaman's outstanding play to open the season. This continued every time Kaman shot free throws the rest of the night. High comedy.

Also, these people were the halftime entertainment. As much as I like the Asian lady who flips dishes onto her head while riding a unicycle, I'm officially a fan of the Russian Bar Trio.