Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley Set to Demonstrate Leadership in 12th Season
Since the Memphis Grizzlies’ “Core Four” came to an end, the team has lacked its vocal leader. Mike Conley is finally ready to assume that role.
The Memphis Grizzlies never had to worry about who would speak up in trying times when the “Core Four” of Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, Marc Gasol, and Mike Conley were still a thing.
Randolph was the clearcut leader of the team. The MVP, too. Tony Allen was the hype man, but also very vocal, especially in encouraging the younger guys of the roster. A strong veteran presence in the locker room, bringing the full team together, was a key in the franchise’s success earlier this decade.
In the offseason of 2017, the “Core Four” was no more. Zach Randolph signed a veteran free-agent deal with the Sacramento Kings. Tony Allen inked a new contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. The franchise’s all-time best era was over.
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Since the summer of 2017, the Grizzlies have not been the same. Though this is largely in part of a significant amount of games missed by key players due to injuries, fans have the right to point fingers at Memphis’ Front Office for not retaining Zach and Tony.
Not only did the Memphis Grizzlies lose poise, but they lost their grit. They lost that competitive edge that had won them so many games and earned them seven consecutive years of postseason appearances.
In order to rally its troops when times get tough, the Grizzlies absolutely have to look at Marc Gasol and Mike Conley to step up to the plate.
With Conley sidelined for all but 12 regular season games in 2017-18, he did not have a presence last season. As for Gasol, he wants his game to do the talking. When he decided to be vocal last season, it resulted in the Front Office canning their head coach while Big Spain also threw his teammates under the bus when explaining the piling of losses.
Do not expect the vocal leadership to come from Marc, which is fine. There is plenty of All-Star talent in the basketball world that does not own the leadership characteristic. Gasol is an elite center, but it does not mean that he will change his ways in his 11th NBA season.
However, there is still hope for the Memphis Grizzlies to find their vocal leader within their current roster. Their star floor general — their conductor of offensive flow — is ready to start with a clean slate in 2018-19.
In fact, Mike Conley has already launched the initiative to become the leader that this team needs in order to be successful in the upcoming season. His first call to action happened several weeks ago, according to Grizz newcomer Garrett Temple. The Commercial Appeal‘s Peter Edmiston captured Temple’s quote during Monday’s introductory press conference.
"“When I got traded, Jevon (Carter) was the first guy to reach out to me, but Mike Conley let me know we were having a minicamp in Los Angeles,” Temple said. “I didn’t know how many guys would be there. I’ve had minicamps on two teams before, and we had maybe 10 or 11 guys, but I think there were about 16 of us there this time. We got together to eat, play pickup, just get to know each other.”"
This is Mike Conley demonstrating tremendous leadership. He personally reached out to each member of the team — the most senior guys on the team in addition to the newest names to the organization — and brought them all together. This team-building session will be great dividends throughout the season.
You have to love seeing Mike step up to the plate and take control. He is now healthy and ready to produce in the new season. He clearly wants to make the most of 2018-19 and knows it is no time for the Grizzlies to showcase another tanking effort.
The work behind the scenes is typically more important than the work the fans see before their eyes on game nights. This is how good teams become great. You see this type of leadership from the elite guys around the NBA — LeBron James and James Harden are two prime examples.
As Garrett Temple mentioned, offseason team minicamps are somewhat rare. When they occur, you will not find every player in attendance. Some players have luxurious vacations or other personal events scheduled, therefore, an understandable conflict exists. However, it should make Grizz Nation say “wow” when acknowledging that Mike Conley was able to get each member of the roster to come together.
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For Conley, this is an excellent first step towards owning the leadership role. Something to keep an eye on is seeing how he will operate in training camp — which begins on Tuesday — plus the preseason games.
It is not only about confirming his health, but enabling his vocal leadership. When times get tough this season, Mike Conley must will his team to victory.
Go Grizz!