Memphis Grizzlies: 5 goals for Mike Conley in 2017-18

5. Stay on the court

I feel like a broken record whenever I discuss the keys to success for the Grizzlies in the upcoming year, but health is really of critical importance. Conley hasn’t played in more than 70 games since 2013-14 (to be fair he’s come close twice), and Memphis’ roster feels a bit thinner than it’s been in years prior.

Add in the fact that the talent level in the Western Conference rose considerably this summer, and missing Conley for any real extended period of time could spell disaster for the Grizzlies. They were 7.5 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor, the best mark on the team among rotation players (per Basketball-Reference).

Conley has shown an almost freakish ability to return from injury faster than anticipated, but that toughness hasn’t translated in the form of injury prevention.  According to FOX Sports, he’s missed games due to injury on 16 different occasions since 2013, including seven last season alone.

We’ll set the goal for this year at 75. It’s been four years since Conley hit that mark, but we’ll chalk that up to bad luck given how many different types of injuries he’s sustained.