Memphis Grizzlies: The Evolution of Mike Conley's Game

Before the season started, David Fizdale realized Mike Conley needed to play at an all-star level for the Memphis Grizzlies to reach their full potential. With the help of guys like Nick Van Exel, Conley excelled this season.

Before this year, Mike Conley has always been a traditional point guard. The last of a dying breed you could say. Pass first and make open shots when you have to, but that all changed quickly. David Fizdale brought a new philosophy for the Memphis Grizzlies where Conley was the go-to guy.

With this new philosophy, Conley produced 10 30-point games this season. He has had 15 his whole career. Put that in perspective. Well, you may be thinking: “why is this the first year he has put up these kind of numbers?”

Well, there were two dramatic changes in Conley’s game this season that evolved Conley into a great scorer:

3-point shooting

Conley has always had the capability to make 3-point shots at a high level; the thing is he was never asked to do so. Before this season, the most 3-pointers Mike averaged per season was four a game. This season he averaged six a game while shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. Both of those numbers were career highs for the Conductor.

He also had five games this season where he knocked down seven three-pointers.

Attitude

Conley’s attitude toward the game changed in a major way this past season. It’s not that he wanted to do it either, but he had to. Zach Randolph and Tony Allen are aging and with the league becoming scoring-dominant, Conley needed to put up numbers. Mike has always been one of the most unselfish players in the league. He’s been a guy who has always wanted to keep his teammates involved. It’s never been about him… Until now.

Michael Wallace, contributor and editor for the Memphis Grizzlies, discussed this topic about Conley in the coming weeks before the series with the San Antonio Spurs. Here’s a quote from Conley in his Wallace’s article about Conley becoming a more aggressive player:

"“Still even today, I catch myself (thinking) if I miss two in a row, I’m like, ‘OK, I’ve got to pass. I’ve got to make sure somebody else gets a shot,’” Conley said Tuesday as the Grizzlies began preparations for their series against the Spurs. “Even if I make two in a row, I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ve shot too much. I’ve got to give it to somebody else.’ The mindset change was the hardest part for me, because I’m not a guy that’s used to shooting in volume. But lately, I’ve seen the benefits of when I’m aggressive.”"

We sure did see the benefits of an aggressive MAC11, especially in the playoffs. Conley averaged 24.7 points per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field.

But who kept Conley so aggressive?

It’s not easy evolving into a score-first point-guard after being a pass-first guy your whole career. It wasn’t just David Fizdale who helped Changed Conley’s game, but it was also former NBA all-star Nick Van Exel, an assistant coach for the Grizzlies.

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Van Exel played 13 NBA seasons and was a score-first point guard while playing with Shaq and Kobe. Being a scorer with two basketball legends like Shaq and Kobe is tough, but that’s why Van Exel was so good for Conley. He has always in his ear when he wasn’t taking enough shots or if he hadn’t been to the rim enough.

Final Remarks

Mike Conley’s game and attitude has evolved with the philosophy of David Fizdale and assistant coach Nick Van Exel in his ear. This was just the first year of Conley being “the guy.” Don’t be surprised if he continues his stellar play next season either.

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