Sights and sounds from Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley's emotional return to Memphis

Gilbert McGregor

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Sights and sounds from Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley's emotional return to Memphis image

With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Mike Conley, a heady 20-year-old point guard out of Ohio State University.

For the next 12 seasons, Conley would embody the spirit of the city of Memphis while serving as the heart and soul of the franchise during its most successful years.  

12 years after the 2007 draft, Memphis had its sights set on another 20-year-old point guard in the 2019 draft and, in turn, would trade Conley to the Utah Jazz in a move that effectively marked the end of an era.

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Today, Conley took the floor at FedEx Forum as a visitor for the first time, and the love was felt all around from the moment he arrived.

To when he ws introduced as a starter

And, of course, a return isn't a proper return without a tribute, and the Grizzlies put together quite the video for Conley.

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As evidenced by the tribute video, Conley's impact was much greater than basketball, as he spent 12 years becoming one with the community and bettering Memphis both on and off the court.

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In regards to what he did on the court, the love from his teammates and the records speak for themselves:

  • First all-time, Games Played – 788
  • First all-time, Points Scored – 11, 733
  • First all-time, Total Assists – 4,509
  • First all-time, Steals – 1,161
  • First all-time, 3-point Field Goals made – 1,086
  • Seven consecutive playoff appearances (2011-17)
  • Four postseason series wins
  • Western Conference Finals appearance, 2013
  • Single-game postseason record, Points scored – 35 (April 22, 2017 vs. Spurs)
  • Single-game postseason record, Assists – 13 (April 27 2013, vs. Clippers)
  • First all-time, Postseason Assists – 377

As for the game itself, the Grizzlies spoiled Conley's homecoming with a narrow 107-106 victory over the Jazz. It wasn't the most efficient performance for Conley, who finished the game with 15 points on 5-for-19 (26.3%) shooting, four rebounds and three assists. 

The Jazz fall to 8-4 on the season but still look to be one of the scarier teams in the Western Conference while the Grizzlies continue to show promise with one of the brighter futures in the NBA.

It's safe to say that the trade appears to be a win-win for both parties.

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Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.