The “I’m a Mike Conley hating bitch” list

[LogGrad98]

Conley's struggles are puzzling... And costly.
In a very winnable big game last night he was 2 for 11 shooting. Many games have been lost so far this season that could have been won if Conley could simply make some open shots.
He has really hurt us so far this season.

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On top of that he just seems lost on the court. Get stuck in traffic and doesn't know what to do with the ball, he throws it away trying to make really weird passes, and he often gets in the middle of the lane and just kind of throws the ball at The rim. I don't know what the problem is, or if this is just who he is because frankly none of us watched every single game he played with the grizzlies. but either way if he doesn't figure this out, we are in deep ****.

 

[Gameface]

On top of that he just seems lost on the court. Get stuck in traffic and doesn't know what to do with the ball, he throws it away trying to make really weird passes, and he often gets in the middle of the lane and just kind of throws the ball at The rim. I don't know what the problem is, or if this is just who he is because frankly none of us watched every single game he played with the grizzlies. but either way if he doesn't figure this out, we are in deep ****.

And while yeah it's an 82 game season, we're in the season playing meaningful games and he's not making a positive impact so far. Like imagine if he was the #1 draft pick and he was playing like this, we'd all be like "well he needs time to develop..." even though we'd have legit concerns, but he's a league veteran. He should have some idea how to put the ball in the basket and how to contribute in other ways.

He's struggling. I'm sure this is difficult for him and he might be just as confused as we are. But when will it end? Will it end? This has the potential to be the biggest bust move in Utah Jazz history. He was supposed to be a huge win for the Jazz, a huge upgrade.

At this point he would have been better off being injured and sitting for 20 games than putting up the performances he has.

I do think he will return to form at some point. I hope that point happens sometime this year and at some point while he's playing for the Jazz...

 

[jope]

Only starter with a negative BPM thus far. Most generalization metrics (PER, VORP, etc) have him pegged as a below average player. Discouraging, he was brought in to be a shooting upgrade over Rubio, but so far Ricardo has been the better shooter (MC 37/34/79 — RR 39/34/86)

Ricky is also averaging way more assists (w/ 4:1 to ratio wow) and rebounds and is a positive BPM. So far Conley has not been an upgrade in any area while costing us fan favorite players, multiple firsts, and possibly flexibility next year if he picks up his nearly $35M player option.

At this point, approaching a quarter of the season already, fans should be worried about the reality of the situation.

 

[LogGrad98]

I'm really starting to question his bball iq. I mean if he had a lick of sense he would drive with the intent of collapsing the defense and finding an open shooters. If that was ALL he did we would be much better, because he can pretty much get into the lane at will. But more often than not he gets there then does stupid **** and ignores the 2 open shooters on the 3 pt line. I really don't get it. I understand adapting to a new system, but a draw and kick is just a crazy simple and fundamental play that he either never looks for or can't complete.

I guess it could be against Quinn's directions, but if so then Quinn's system is really ****ed up to ignore such a simple but effective play with a player like Conley who could get that nearly every time he touches the ball.

So I'm inclined to think it's Conley. Maybe his bbiq is worse than we thought. So far nice guy, crappy ball player.

 

[latin jazz]

Only starter with a negative BPM thus far. Most generalization metrics (PER, VORP, etc) have him pegged as a below average player. Discouraging, he was brought in to be a shooting upgrade over Rubio, but so far Ricardo has been the better shooter (MC 37/34/79 — RR 39/34/86)

Ricky is also averaging way more assists (w/ 4:1 to ratio wow) and rebounds and is a positive BPM. So far Conley has not been an upgrade in any area while costing us fan favorite players, multiple firsts, and possibly flexibility next year if he picks up his nearly $35M player option.

At this point, approaching a quarter of the season already, fans should be worried about the reality of the situation.

Looking at overall season stats is misleading. You are including a few outlier games that could be considered some of the worst shooting nights in Conley's career. If you look at his recent play (last month), he is averaging 16ppg on 39.2% shooting and 37.5% from 3. He is an upgrade over Rubio. You can't just look at fg% and conclude Rubio is the better shooter.

Conley shoots of the bounce, way tougher shoots than Rubio, who is left open by design. He also has a deadly floater game which has been inconsistent. Overall, he keeps defenders honest.

Most importantly, what you see now is Rubio at his peak. That's it. We had him for two years and it was obvious for everyone that we, as a team, had a pretty low ceiling with him as our starting PG. If Conley gets more consistent, we are a contender. I expect Conley to land somewhere around 41fg%, with 37% from 3 and averages of 16.5ppg, 3rpg, 5apg for the season (and once those outlier games have less weight).

 

[latin jazz]

I'm really starting to question his bball iq.

So I'm inclined to think it's Conley. Maybe his bbiq is worse than we thought. So far nice guy, crappy ball player.

Or maybe it's you. No offense. Did you follow his career in Memphis? It's a 12 year sample size. The guy is one of the smarter players out there. It was a pleasure to watch how he destroyed defenses with Gasol on his side.

I think it's a combination of him struggling a bit, adapting to Quin's system and personnel. It almost comical when he runs pick n' roll with Rudy and gives him the ball 10 feet from the basket (that was a deadly pick n' roll with Gasol's floater). He is making less of those mistakes.

 

[Jazzta]

Looking at overall season stats is misleading. You are including a few outlier games that could be considered some of the worst shooting nights in Conley's career. If you look at his recent play (last month), he is averaging 16ppg on 39.2% shooting and 37.5% from 3. He is an upgrade over Rubio. You can't just look at fg% and conclude Rubio is the better shooter.

Conley shoots of the bounce, way tougher shoots than Rubio, who is left open by design. He also has a deadly floater game which has been inconsistent. Overall, he keeps defenders honest.

Most importantly, what you see now is Rubio at his peak. That's it. We had him for two years and it was obvious for everyone that we, as a team, had a pretty low ceiling with him as our starting PG. If Conley gets more consistent, we are a contender. I expect Conley to land somewhere around 41fg%, with 37% from 3 and averages of 16.5ppg, 3rpg, 5apg for the season (and once those outlier games have less weight).

Maybe it’s that he was an upgrade over Rubio on paper. I’ll cut him some more slack but we’re approaching the 1st quarter of a season...

For a superstar salary may I add.

 

[test_name_please_ignore]

As far as Conley, I've watched him a lot over the years, and outside of a stellar season in 2017 and his playoff performances, he is looking pretty similar to his past self, although it is clear he isn't as comfortable running Utah's sets, which make it harder for him to get to his preferred shooting positions low in the key (push floater). He isn't far off from his career averages. He just isn't that great, and he is 32, so he has lost a bit of quickness. Rubio wasn't the answer, but I'd take him and Favors over Conley any day of the week.

True to form, I expect Conley to improve as the season goes on, but don't expect massive improvement. I expect him to get back to 37% from 3 and start hitting inside at a similar % increase as he continues to jell with the team.

He is definitely an overpay, and the Grizz raped us on the trade. 1 first round pick was too much, let alone two. Dropping Grayson and Crowder were not big losses, but Korver would be even better with this roster.

 

[jumpin bean]

i was hoping for Mountain Mike not Molehill Mike.

 

[LogGrad98]

Or maybe it's you. No offense. Did you follow his career in Memphis? It's a 12 year sample size. The guy is one of the smarter players out there. It was a pleasure to watch how he destroyed defenses with Gasol on his side.

I think it's a combination of him struggling a bit, adapting to Quin's system and personnel. It almost comical when he runs pick n' roll with Rudy and gives him the ball 10 feet from the basket (that was a deadly pick n' roll with Gasol's floater). He is making less of those mistakes.

Nope. It's him. It's him shooting less than 40% on open shots. It's him creating multiple turnovers and having a career bad TO ratio. I did some soul-searching, and it's him. The previous 12 years history does exactly what for us when he can't contribute right now? Can we just say "hey guys, use his play from 2 years ago and credit us those extra points, mmkay?" Nope. It's what have you done for me lately and lately we are better off with him on the bench. I hope he figures it out because if he doesn't we are screwed.

 

[carolinajazz]

He is an upgrade over Rubio. You can't just look at fg% and conclude Rubio is the better shooter.

Rubio is a better shooter, passer, distributor, rebounder and has a higher Basketball IQ than Conley! Why were we leading the league in dunks with Rubio distributing the ball.....but struggle to get dunks with Conley calling the shots at PG? And to think were paying Conley TWICE as much money as we were Rubio......is mind boggling!

 

[ChicAggie]

I'm not an "I told you so" kind of fan, but on the Jazz fan board I used to frequent, I expressed strong opposition to this trade when it was first proposed back in early 2019. I thought we could get someone as good or better in the free agent market (Brogdon was my first choice), without giving up so many assets. I truly hope Conley eventually proves me wrong, but that hope is fading quickly.