Comparing and contrasting Kyrie Irving and Mike Conley’s surprisingly similar analytics

Head to Head

Dec 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) trips while driving the lane against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (center) and forward Kevin Love (0) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Player	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	FT	FTA	TRB	AST	STL	TOV	PF	PTS
Mike Conley	29.2	5.4	10.4	.519	1.4	3.2	2.2	2.4	1.4	6.2	1.8	1.8	1.8	14.4
Kyrie Irving	35.8	9.8	18.0	.544	1.8	5.0	2.2	3.4	2.2	4.6	1.8	3.4	2.8	23.6

Playing in different conferences, Mike Conley and Kyrie Irving have only squared off five times in their careers, with Conley and the Memphis Grizzlies winning three of those contests. Obviously, Irving got his shots dropping, scoring almost 10 more points per game than Conley (though, while also playing 6.4 more minutes per game). Conley, oddly, was blazing from behind the arc, shooting at least 50 percent in each game outside of an 0-for-4 night on Dec. 21, 2014, in which he barely logged more than 24 minutes.

As expected, Conley had more assists, but couldn’t out-rebound Irving. Conley did force 2.4 turnovers per game with 1.8 steals and 0.6 blocks. Irving had no blocks and also had 1.8 steals, but turned the ball over 3.4 times per contest.

Next: Conclusion