Memphis Grizzlies extend Mike Conley’s contract
The Memphis Grizzlies waited until the very end before eventually deciding to give fourth-year guard Mike Conley a contract extension on Monday, 1 November, just before the 11:59 PM deadline.
Mike Conley Sr. and Bill Duffy, who both represent the shifty point guard, confirmed the reports, but declined to disclose the terms of the deal. But some sources have speculated that Conley
inked a five-year deal worth approximately $45 million.
The Grizzlies were reluctant to offer an extension during the off-season, but they had a change of heart after the fourth-overall pick of the 2007 NBA draft displayed flashes of brilliance
during Memphis’ pre-season games and in their first three regular-season games.
The 23-year old guard and former Ohio State standout led the Grizzlies to a 2-1 start this season by averaging 15 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in their first three games, highlighted
by a terrific performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, 30 October. Conley racked up 14 points, 11 assists, and seven steals to lead the Grizzlies past the Timberwolves.
"Did I envision that Mike would play like this? Yes," Conley Sr. said. "But I did not have confidence that the Grizzlies would embrace him like they have with this contract."
Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins was also impressed with Conley’s improvement during their training camp and on how the young point guard is running the team as of late, becoming more
assertive and very vocal in directing the team’s offence.
"He’s more aggressive. He’s stronger and he’s more confident. He’s an above-average point guard. He’s got a lot of growth area left in his game. But there are a lot of guys who get credit
for being in the top-echelon and they really aren’t. There are only a number of top-echelon players in the NBA, period."
Hollins also added that Conley fits the mold of a point guard that they are looking for, especially after showing a big improvement in orchestrating their pick-and-roll offence.
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