Positional Power Rankings: 30 best point guards in the NBA

Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) pushes Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) away from LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Conley

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Many were confounded when Mike Conley signed the largest contract in league history this summer. He has never been an All-Star; how could he possibly deserve a bigger payday than anyone has ever received? The truth is, Conley was deserving of a big contract and just happened to hit free agency during the right summer. As consistent as they come, he emerged out of Greg Oden’s shadow from AAU and Ohio State, earned the Grizzlies starting job over Kyle Lowry, and has been a real pro ever since.

There was more pressure than usual on Mike Conley because of the size of the deal he signed this summer. He has responded with possibly the best play of his career. His season averages of 20.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds are all career-highs. In addition, his 45.1 percent from the field and 40.3 3-point percentage are also new career-best numbers. His defensive play has remained good as well.

Another season, another winning season in the tough Western Conference for the Grizzlies. Despite transitioning to new coach David Fizdale and enduring roughly $28 million in sunk costs in Brandan Wright and Chandler Parsons, the Grizzlies are 40-32 and firmly in the playoffs again. It really does seem like all they need is a majority of games from Conley, Marc Gasol, and Tony Allen. It doesn’t really matter who the rest of their players are. This says a lot about the quality of player Conley is, and he earned his money this season.

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