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NBA Player Power Rankings: The Impact Of Recent Injuries

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 26, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) on a dunk during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) on a dunk during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns 130-112. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns 130-112. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies

Position: Point Guard
Age: 29 (10/11/1987)
Experience: 10th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .447/.411/.839
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.8 MPG, 19.6 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 2.4 3PM

When the Memphis Grizzlies signed Mike Conley to a record-setting contract, few expected him to live up to the hype. He still hasn’t made an All-Star Game appearance, but it would be naive to downplay how well he’s performed in 2016-17.

The Memphis Grizzlies are on pace to make the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season, and Conley is as important as any player to the team’s success.

There are other players who deserve credit, but Conley has been invaluable to the Grizzlies’ success. Memphis has net ratings of +4.1 when Conley is on the court and a team-worst -1.3 when he isn’t in 2016-17.

Considering Memphis is 11 games above .500, Conley’s value is easy to define and identify as a true two-way player who can take over in the clutch.

This past week, Conley torched the Denver Nuggets for 31 points and five assists in a 105-98 victory. He followed with 29 points and eight assists on 10-of-19 shooting during a 130-112 shootout win over the Phoenix Suns.

Conley may be labeled by some as a free agency bust, but he’s performed at a Top 20 level in the first year of his new contract.