I will say that it was obvious to me watching Conley last season that he had already lost a step, that is vs the truly elite athlete's at PG's though. The starting PG position is still the toughest gauntlet to run in the biz, but i mean, thats why he gets paid 33 million a year... right?
Mike Conley is gonna get paid more $$$ this season than any Utah Jazzman in history.
I dont really think it's an outrageous claim, that hes lost a step -- thats what my eye test told me while keeping a close watch over precisely that, because it kinda stuck out to me... I dont think the decision makers in the FO overlooked that, the idea is that he's in the savvy vet stage of his career, i presume..
He's 32 years old and has played 28,000 career minutes. It's fair to assume there's some tread worn off those tires.. the 82 game schedule is grueling... Also 'todays elite athlete' is always being redefined, if not by small increments each year.. It is what it is..
Not to be that guy, but there has been many occasions where I've taken the stance counter to the general consensus around here and been proven right over time.. The George Hill trade being wastefulland the entire Gordon Hayward saga immediately come to mind, and the Boris Diaw/Joe Johnson "win now" moves too. I dont do it to play the devils advocate, im just sharing my opinions. we'll see.