Memphis Grizzlies: Has Mike Conley Officially Reached Elite Status?

Apr 22, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) lays the ball up against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 110-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) lays the ball up against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 110-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 25, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) dribbles the ball as San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (left) defends during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) dribbles the ball as San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (left) defends during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Droppin’ Dimes

PF: Regarding his assist numbers, a nice portion of their offense involves post touches for Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph – a death sentence for assist numbers. If he had any prolific scorers or shooter from the wing, you don’t think his assist numbers would be any higher?

JF: Yeah I do think they would be much higher, but at the same time since he has less shooters and has to do more scoring, he still is only average at that.

He needs to be shooting a little better, and seeing how that’s difficult since

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it’s already impressive. In comparison, it makes him just a role player. And post entry passes can still be assists, but i get the ZBo thing. Dude’s a Melo for Memphis.

Still, as a scoring point guard who knows he doesn’t have the personnel to pass to, he should be scoring more – much more than Gasol even. In their series, he was fantastic, and I won’t even think about taking that away, but I think that when you have a high usage and you’re in the NBA, you have to be able to score the freaking basketball.

Love Conley though, great guy. Just is an average, solid all-around starting point guard. His best assets being speed and defense, although his three ball has started to fall with more consistency lately.