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NBA Draft: Kyle Lowry the Greatest Pick in Memphis Grizzlies History?

By Ed Memphis

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 19: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball as Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 19, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 19: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball as Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 19, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Draft Kyle Lowry
The Memphis Grizzlies decided to trade Kyle Lowry after selecting him in the 2006 NBA Draft (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kyle Lowry’s Case

On the other hand, Kyle Lowry has had far more individual success than Mike Conley, in addition to team success. For starters, Conley and Lowry have virtually identical statistical careers. Lowry has been good for 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists,1.3 steals, and only 2.3 turnovers in 31 minutes per game. Conley has averaged about half a point more than Lowry, but Lowry is slightly superior in rebounds, averaging just over one rebound more than Mike. The assist numbers for the two candidates are identical, too.

However, there should be context with these numbers. Notice Mike Conley has averaged two more minutes per game than Kyle Lowry over their respective careers. Part of the reason is because Conley was originally drafted fourth overall the year after Kyle’s rookie season was cut short after only 10 games played due to a broken wrist injury.

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In the following summer, Marc Iavaroni was hired as the Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach and he lobbied hard for Memphis to draft Conley fourth overall. The Grizzlies’ Front Office ultimately obliged.

Lowry, who was selected 24th overall in the year prior, became somewhat of a pawn chip for Iavaroni, before he ever had the chance to prove himself to be king of the chessboard. Marc started Lowry for road games while he started Conley in home meetings in his rookie season, creating tension. Lowry was eventually traded to the Houston Rockets, where he had to compete for minutes with Goran Dragic, who was already becoming a legit rising star at the time.

Kyle Lowry eventually became a starter his third and fourth seasons in Houston where he bumped heads with then Head Coach Kevin McHale. Thus, he was eventually traded to the Toronto Raptors, where Lowry took off with success and has never looked back. In fact, the last half of Conley’s and Lowry’s respective careers thus far has not even been close in comparison.

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