Conley an All-star at last
Ex-grizzlies point guard Mike Conley reacts to becoming an All-star after the longest wait in NBA history.
Of all the well-wishes Mike Conley received after being named an NBA All-star for the first time, the heartfelt congratulations from his former Grizzlies teammates stood out
Tony Allen used Twitter for others to see. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, who were both All-stars during
their time in Memphis, were more blunt with their praise.
“They all said the same message like finally, what took you so long!” Conley told The Commercial Appeal this week.
In his 14th season, and second with the Utah Jazz, Conley had the longest wait in NBA history to be a first-time All-star. It felt well overdue but many Grizzlies fans pointed out that the point guard should have been honored during his time in Memphis where he spent his first 12 seasons.
And as Conley returns to Memphis with the Jazz for a game Wednesday (7 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast) at Fedex Forum, you won't get an argument from the the fourth pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.
“I wanted to do that in there, in the city. For it not to happen, it was kind of like a hole that was left there
and an emptiness that was left behind,” he said. “But, it kind of fulfilled it a little bit more by getting here and at least I have an opportunity to be an all-star.”
Conley has helped the Jazz have the NBA'S best record this season. He's shooting a career high on 3-pointers (42.1%) and second in plus/minus behind teammate Rudy Gobert.
But as the Jazz focus on championship aspirations, Conley still keeps an eye on his former team and home. Last spring, he donated funds to Codecrew to help acquire internet services and laptops to assist with distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also got a glimpse of the Grizzlies as the Jazz swept them in two games last weekend. Conley didn't play in the second game but was on the court in the first as the Grizzlies nearly rallied from a 17-point fourth quarter deficit on Friday
He sees how the game is slowing down for Grizzlies guard Ja Morant as he improves in his second year. But he's also impressed by the team's toughness and work ethic under coach Taylor Jenkins.
“The way that they go out and work night in and night out, they embody what it's like to be a Memphis Grizzly.” Conley said. “Over the years, they don't quit. They got young superstars in Ja and Jaren (Jackson Jr.) and great pieces around them. It's just a fun team to actually watch and compete against.”
Wednesday will mark Conley's third game back in Memphis since he was traded on July 6, 2019 for Grayson Allen, Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, the draft rights to Darius Bazley, and a protected first-round pick . It won't be the same as his first appearance in November 2019 but returning as an all-star gave him another chance to reflect while stayed focused on his present with the Jazz.
“Every time I set foot on that court, every time I set foot in that city, it'll be special,” Conley said. “You can't really top the first time coming back and the amount of love and support the fans showed. But every time I step in that building, it'll bring back sentimental feelings and memories so I'm excited to do it and I'm looking forward to it."