Illness puts debut of Flynn in limbo

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: October 27, 2009 - 11:47 PM

Jonny Flynn's NBA debut tonight is in some doubt after the point guard missed a second consecutive day of practice because of the flu.

Neither Flynn nor guard Wayne Ellington were at practice Tuesday because of the illness, although coach Kurt Rambis said both rookies felt better. Today's midday shootaround will be their chance to prove they're ready for tonight's opener against New Jersey.

"If they are feeling much better and they come to shootaround, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to play,'' Rambis said.

Rambis said if Flynn can't go, Ramon Sessions, whom the club signed to a four-year, $16 million deal last month, will start at point guard.

It would be a slight disappointment if Flynn can't go. He was the sixth overall pick of this year's draft and has showed his talent in practices and preseason games. Wolves forward Al Jefferson had reporters doing double-takes when he compared Flynn to New Orleans guard Chris Paul on Tuesday.

"The things he can do on the court, the way he attacks the basket, he has a chance to be something special,'' Jefferson said. "Chris Paul, the things he did his rookie year, I think Johnny has a chance to be just as good.''

But tonight is only one game out of 82, and Flynn is not out because of an injury. But Rambis continues to point out that rookie point guards have a lot to learn, and missing two days of practice -- and possibly one game -- slows anyone's growth.

"We added a few little wrinkles to some of the things we've got. I'm sure he's going to have to play catch-up with that," Rambis said. "It's not going to be that difficult, but young players new to the league, every day is just an opportunity to get better, so he lost those opportunities.''

Rambis doesn't expect the team to look much different if Sessions starts at the point.

"They are different ballplayers but are very, very capable of running the team where we're at right now,'' Rambis said. "In terms of their understanding of what we want them do, they are on the same level because it is new to both of them.''

Al's doing fine

Jefferson had a second consecutive pain-free day of practice and is expected to be in the starting lineup tonight.

"Feeling good,'' said Jefferson, who has been slowed most of preseason by left Achilles' tendinitis. "Ready to get out and get this 82 games started.''

Rambis acknowledged that Jefferson looked good in practice Tuesday and will make sure during the shootaround that Jefferson didn't have any setbacks overnight.

Jefferson, however, sounded like he won't be limited.

"I had a talk with coach yesterday and I think they are going to let me go,'' Jefferson said. "He trusts me to let him know if I'm in any kind of pain, The last two practices, I've been pain-free. Hopefully tomorrow will be the same.''

Etc.

• Nathan Jawai, the 6-10 forward the Wolves recently landed from Dallas, has showed good agility and explosiveness, but it's unclear if he's picked up enough of the offense to play tonight. "We have an active and inactive roster, so I have to see if he's ready to play and make that assessment,'' Rambis said.

• Around 2,000 tickets remain for tonight's season opener, according to a Wolves official.

• The club will hold its annual tip-off breakfast from 6 to 9 a.m. today outside Target Center. Fans can pull up next to the arena for free coffee, juice, doughnuts, cookies, etc.

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