Conley focused on his jump shot
In basketball circles, it is known as the “third year jump.”
In the history of the NBA, most players who went on to achieve greatness experienced noticeable statistical improvements from their second NBA year to their third. Most recently, all one has to do is look at the third year jumps of NBA All-Stars like Cleveland’s LeBron James, Portland’s Brandon Roy, New Orleans’ Chris Paul and Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire.
When it comes to the Memphis Grizzlies, there is only one player making the pivotal jump during the 2009-10 season. Point guard Mike Conley, the former fourth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, knows this can be a make-or-break year in terms of his destiny.
“I need to stay focused and concentrate on the little things I need to do to improve my game,” Conley said. “My job is to run the team and be one of the leaders of the team. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to raise my game (this year).”
Conley has a lot of momentum on his side to make that jump. After Lionel Hollins was named head coach on Jan. 25, 2009, Conley improved his numbers across the board, averaging 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists on .454 shooting in 36.3 minutes in 39 games (all starts). Coach Hollins saw Conley’s improvement in the numbers, but is looking for the three-year NBA veteran to enhance upon his ability to be an effective floor general.
“I’m expecting him to be a better leader and be more forceful on the court,” Hollins said. “He needs to be more aggressive and take what he did last year and build on it.”
Building on it is something Conley has a history of doing. After playing is just 53 games as a rookie, Conley played in all 82 games this past season for the Grizzlies. With just two 20-point contests in his first 113 professional games, Conley exploded down the stretch last year, posting seven 20-point games in the team’s final 22 games. Not coincidently, Memphis went 5-2 during those games. With that said, Conley has no plans to stop improving as he charges towards his third NBA training camp this fall.
“I’m working hard every day and getting better every day,” Conley said. “I’ve done that the whole summer to be ready for the start of training camp.”
The team’s leader in three-point field goal percentage in 2008-09 isn’t just facing expectations from his head coach or fans in the Mid-South. Memphis basketball legend Penny Hardaway, who himself saw an increase in stats in his third NBA season in 1995-96, expects Conley to take his game to a new level for a second-straight year.
“I expect better and better every year,” the four-time NBA-All Star and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist said. “Every year, you’re going to get better and better. You’re going to learn more and understand more. I’m expecting big things this year.”
Big things this year for Conley can only be aided by the addition of several key NBA Draft Picks, including Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll and Sam Young.
“I’m very happy with the way the team has progressed over the summer,” the Indianapolis, Ind. native said. “I thought we had one of the better drafts. We acquired a lot of good guys like the draft picks. Hopefully, we’ll be able to put it together.”
It wasn’t just the draft picks that has Conley chomping at the bits to get the 2009-10 season started on Oct. 28 vs. Detroit. The Grizzlies addition of Zach Randolph, a consistent 20-10 threat, has Conley excited about the opportunity of a dangerous inside-out game on the floor of FedExForum.
“Zach is a guy that is going to demand a double team,” the former Ohio State star said. “He is capable of scoring 20-and-10 (20 points and 10 rebounds) every night. To have that kind of a threat and that kind of a weapon offensively, it’s going to be very tough to defend regardless.”
Nevertheless, despite a third year jump, improved statistical stats and a plethora of offensive shooters, the upcoming season all boils down to one thing for the 6-1 guard: winning.
“This is a big offseason for us, trying to get better and get back ready to go,” Conley concluded. “We have a lot of scorer’s on the team, but hopefully we can get it done on the defensive end and turn those losses we had last year into wins.”
Mike Conley's 2nd Annual Bowl-N-Bash: 9/26
Conley and the Grizzlies are teaming up again with the Special Olympics and the Memphis Police Sports Federation for the event, which will be held at Bartlett Lanes on Saturday, September 26 from 1-4 p.m. For a $5 donation at the door, you can come out and watch. Details.