[Buckskin86]

Suddenly, Conley's the Real Deal
By: Joel Brigham Last Updated: 4/10/09 read

Despite the fact that the Memphis Grizzlies have less than zero chance of making the playoffs, something incredible has been happening in their backcourt.

After averaging just over ten points and four assists for the season, Mike Conley has gone on a season-ending tear, putting up 19ppg and almost 6apg over the last six games. He's also snatched away 2.3 steals a night over that time and put up at least 20 points seven times in the last four weeks. Why, oh why, has the former Top-Five pick suddenly become so effective?

"It's a lot of different things," Conley admits in the midst of his hot streak, "one being coach giving me a lot more freedom just to go out there and play basketball and not have to worry about coming out of the game too early or not playing. With me being the point guard that this team has made The Guy it's allowed me to have a lot more confidence and the trust of my teammates. I've been able to get good looks from teammates being unselfish, and that's the kind of basketball I like to play."

His becoming "The Guy" is a direct result of the team having traded his top competitor for minutes in Kyle Lowry at the trade deadline. In late January his minutes jumped from the high-twenties/low-thirties to consistently between 38-42 minutes per game. Part of the statistical boost is minutes, but part of it is just getting the proverbial driver's license.

"Coach has given me the keys and I'm just going out there and playing basketball without worrying about it too much," continues Conley. "I'm a freer mind, not having to think about it as much as I was before. I'm able to have fun, and when you're having fun out there you play good basketball."

"He's the engine of this team going forward," says head coach Lionel Hollins. "He was averaging six or seven points before, and in the last ten games he's probably over 20 (points per game)."

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12222