Despite the fact that the Memphis Grizzlies have less than zero chance of making the playoffs, something incredible has been happening in their backcourt.
After averaging just over ten points and four assists for the season, Mike Conley has gone on a season-ending tear, putting up 19ppg and almost 6apg over the last six games. He's also snatched away 2.3 steals a night over that time and put up at least 20 points seven times in the last four weeks. Why, oh why, has the former Top-Five pick suddenly become so effective?
"It's a lot of different things," Conley admits in the midst of his hot streak, "one being coach giving me a lot more freedom just to go out there and play basketball and not have to worry about coming out of the game too early or not playing. With me being the point guard that this team has made The Guy it's allowed me to have a lot more confidence and the trust of my teammates. I've been able to get good looks from teammates being unselfish, and that's the kind of basketball I like to play."
His becoming "The Guy" is a direct result of the team having traded his top competitor for minutes in Kyle Lowry at the trade deadline. In late January his minutes jumped from the high-twenties/low-thirties to consistently between 38-42 minutes per game. Part of the statistical boost is minutes, but part of it is just getting the proverbial driver's license.
"Coach has given me the keys and I'm just going out there and playing basketball without worrying about it too much," continues Conley. "I'm a freer mind, not having to think about it as much as I was before. I'm able to have fun, and when you're having fun out there you play good basketball."
"He's the engine of this team going forward," says head coach Lionel Hollins. "He was averaging six or seven points before, and in the last ten games he's probably over 20 (points per game)."
What Hollins likely doesn't realize is that it's his influence that's allowed Conley the freedom to experiment and learn. That wasn't former coach Marc Iavaroni's strong suit.
"It's easier for us to learn from our mistakes than it is to prevent us from making mistakes," Conley explains. "We've got to go out there and learn how to win in the fourth quarter. We have to know what it's like to lose by a shot or two, to learn how to grow as a team from our mistakes. We've done that over the course of the year, but that last week or two we've really gelled together and toughed out a couple of those wins we probably wouldn't have had earlier in the year."
"The guy's a good player," Coach Hollins continues, "and I'm looking forward to the future. He's still a young guy—he'd be only a junior in college—so he's going to get stronger and get more confidence… I'm looking for big things from him."
Rookie of the Year candidate O.J. Mayo has noticed his point guard's recent jump in status as well, and is taking notes.
"Mike works hard," Mayo comments. "He's usually the first guy in the gym and the last guy to leave, and that's definitely panning out for him. I've known him since I was ten, so I'm so glad to see his success… It's great to see him where he is now."
Conley is known for not taking much time off in the offseason, and he'll likely be right back in the gym a week or so after his season ends. This year, he's hoping that influence rubs off on his similarly young teammates.
"I see myself as being one of the leaders on this team," Conley confesses. "I see myself coming back with a chip on my shoulder and making sure the other guys have a chip on their shoulders too to want to make the playoffs. The way that we've progressed over the year, and the way the offseason will probably bring us some new players, we'll have an opportunity to be good next year. We'll be ready to go from Day 1 in training camp after putting in the work in the offseason. It's my job to make sure guys stay in the gym and that we're ready for next year, focused, and ready to compete for a playoff spot."
And is that so ridiculous to consider? Memphis has considerable cap space and an extremely talented young core with a top-five draft pick likely coming their way. With so much young talent, led by a Mike Conley living up to his potential, the Grizzlies could be better than anybody expects. That would be as incredible as Conley's turnaround.
