Thirteen years ago today the Memphis Grizzlies chose Mike Conley Jr. – a player who would become one of the greatest in the franchise ever. His arrival did not come with much fanfare, but he would grow up in the team and in the city in due course late time.
Conley was drafted fourth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, behind Greg Oden, Kevin Durant and Al Horford. The Grizzlies had the best chance of getting the number one choice that year with the worst scenario being the Grizzlies, which is what happened.
When it became apparent that the Grizzlies weren’t going to receive Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, Conley wasn’t the consultancy award the Grizzlies wanted to be the worst NBA team in the previous season.
Through injuries from debutant years, originally not playing in home games, barely escaping trade with Ramon Sessions and Joe Alexander, an abundance of pressure from fans and the media to produce more, and simply not being what many they wanted to be here at that time- Kyle Lowry, Conley, will continue to become the all-time leader of the Grizzlies in points, assists, thefts, games played and three bets made.
Conley was the “conductor” and “Captain Clutch” of the Grizzlies’ “Core Four” era alongside Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Tony Allen and went from scapegoat to one of the CAPRA – the largest of the Grizzlies of all times.
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– Anthony Sain – Memphis Grizzlies Beat Writer and Lead Editor of Sports Illustrated’s All Grizzlies.com
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