Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Keys To Victory Vs The Chicago Bulls

Pros and Conleys

Mike Conley’s presence on the Memphis Grizzlies roster is enough to keep them competitive for this season’s anti-tanking goal. It’s shrewd to be maximizing his impact, hopefully conveying their lottery pick to Boston before the team inevitably trades him and bottoms out.

With Marc Gasol gone, Conley is now even more or a fulcrum for the Grizzlies on both sides of the ball, making his consistent contribution essential. Iron Mike should be ridden hard; having his healthiest season in years, he’s now also on full showcase for his summer trade value.

The post-Gasol era didn’t start too well for Mike Conley. Perhaps having an identity crisis without his longtime running mate, Conley slid into a five-game funk, averaging 16.2ppg on a wretched .328 from the field.

He broke out of it in a big way Monday night, hanging 30 on the hapless Lakers with .588/.500/.875 shooting. The Grizzlies need that Mike Conley night in and night out down the stretch, and they’re best to stimulate his game.

The Bulls matchup provides great potential, with starting PG and Kris Dunn day-to-day. If Dunn sits, Chicago’s resistance against Conley will be almost nil, allowing him to run amok and regain more momentum.

While touches for youngsters like Bruno Caboclo and Ivan Rabb are tempting, Conley should be commanding as large a role as possible on offense. His days in a Memphis jersey are likely numbered, but he still has a chance to pay great dividends in the form of a conveyed pick, and good trade return.