Every NBA team’s most underrated player
By Tom West
Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley
Yet again, it’s one of the best players on their respective teams that gets underrated when it comes to the Grizzlies. This is a close call when Zach Randolph consistently deliver off-the-radar as well, but Mike Conley is also widely known as one of the most overlooked players in the NBA.
Unfortunately for Conley, though, he’s in the league at the wrong time if he wants to be one of the top few. We’re in a golden age of point guards and Conley has been left on the cusp of being good enough to make the All-Star game for the last few seasons now. From Stephen Curry to Russell Westbrook, there’s no way for someone like Conley to break into the picture.
The sad thing is, Conley would probably receive a ten times more attention and praise if he was blessed with more athleticism. Dunks can make anyone famous, although Conley’s never been that kind of player to get big highlights plays to take over the internet. Like the Grizzlies, he’s been used to going under the radar as a top player on a top team for a few years now.
He’s a pesky and persistent perimeter defender, and even led the NBA in steals in 2012-13. And while he may not be a lights out shooter or scorer — averaging a moderate 15.8 points per game last season — he’s a highly underrated passer. He always carries the Grizzlies’ interior based offense with great poise and patience, he doesn’t force too many passes, and he’s an excellent pick-and-roll passer.
With a combination of attributes that can make any point guard deadly at both ends of the floor, Conley has always been on the map. Yet, in the NBA’s deepest position, he’s always been underrated and overshadowed by the countless other guards that dominate the game.
Next: Phoenix Suns