On National Left Handers Day, you cannot help but to appreciate the shooting stroke of one of the best lefties in the NBA — the Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley.
According to the Huffington Post, around 10% of the people in the world are left-handed. Think about it in a perspective of the NBA world. There really are not many lefty shooters in the association.
For the Memphis Grizzlies, there is only one full-time player on the roster that is left-handed — the leader, Mike Conley. Having played just 12 games in the 2017-18 season, he made only 64 field goals. That is exactly 400 less baskets than “Captain Clutch” made as a career-high in the previous season. Today, being National Left Handers Day, Conley deserves more appreciation than most other days.
Assuming Conley will be returning to 100% health in the upcoming season, there will be plenty more of his lefty game on display. He has truly become a smooth operator with the flick of his left wrist. Always a solid defenseman, Mike had to put a lot of work into his offensive game. Now, “Clutch” owns one of the smoothest and most accurate three-point shots the NBA has to offer.
To this date, Conley’s career-best scoring game took place on the road in Philadelphia on December 13th, 2014. It was a thrilling overtime affair with No. 11 guaranteeing a victory for his Memphis Grizzlies. In his 36-point performance, his specialized lefty skills were well greased.
Versus the 76ers, Mike Conley scored in almost every way possible. He was driving to the rack at will with his strong hand. He splashed numerous triples from deep. He made five free-throws with the left. He was dishing via his primary hand, too. This game is a great demonstration of all the things Conley does well, and it all begins with the use of his left hand. Remember, lefties are not common. What is more rare is a lefty with this type of hoops talent.
In watching these highlights, Grizz Nation becomes even more excited for the 2018-19 season. It feels like an eternity since Mike Conley last appeared on the hardwood donning a Memphis Grizzlies uniform. In just two short months, your favorite lefty will be back at it — leading the Grizz.
On a side note, encompassing one of the Grizzlies’ two two-way contracts, Yuta Watanabe is another lefty shooter. Watanabe will be representing Memphis with the G-League’s Hustle. Though an incredibly raw talent, there is an outside chance Grizz Nation could see the 23-year-old receive a call-up to the major league Grizzlies at some point in the new season. He is a project that the Front Office has wisely invested in.
Go Grizz!