In his 16th NBA season, Mike Conley is averaging a career-best 8.2 assists.
After the organization dealt its prized guard (Donovan Mitchell) and rim protector (Rudy Gobert), Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley expected to hear about the franchise making another significant move.
“Like everyone else, I was waiting for the phone call to notify me I was going somewhere else,” said Conley.
Much to his surprise, Conley continues to sport a Jazz uniform. Equally surprising is Utah’s powerful start to the 2022-23 NBA season.
The Jazz (11-6) rectified a three-game losing streak with a 134-133 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night and reclaimed the top spot in the West on Saturday with a 118-113 win over the Trail Blazers. In his 16th NBA season, Conley has played a large part in Utah’s success with his production (10.7 points, 8.1 assists) and leadership.
Recently, Conley had a conversation with NBA.com where he discussed his performance, his role as a mentor to Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, his experience playing under first-year head coach Will Hardy, and his uncertain future.
Editor’s note: The following 1-on-1 conversation has been condensed and edited.
What explains the strong start?
The atmosphere here is quite distinctive from any other team I’ve been a part of. We have a profoundly solid team. Each of us harbors individual ambitions to debunk the world’s misconceptions about us and illustrate our capacity for improvement. We all possess this tenacity and determination. Combine all these elements, stir them together, and the outcome is what you’re witnessing. Participating in this has been incredibly enjoyable.
Did you see this coming?
I can’t say that I did. I didn’t think it would be this right away. Our schedule has been really tough to start the season. But we’ve been a team that just goes out there. We don’t care who we play. We’re going to play harder, smarter and try to win the game. We’ve been able to do that on a lot of occasions.
After the Jazz traded Donovan and Rudy, were you also expecting to be dealt?
Up until training camp, I was unsure about what the future held. I had no idea about who would be present or if I would still be part of the team. However, once it was confirmed that I would at least be starting the season here, I shifted my attention to honing my skills and performing to the best of my abilities. I have adopted a whatever-will-be-will-be attitude but while I’m still here, I intend to contribute significantly to the team’s success.
Has the front office offered any more clarity to you since the season started?
From my point of view, nothing changes. I will continue doing what I do. Justin [Zanik] and Danny [Ainge] have always been open and honest in their dealings. If there’s anything new, they will inform me. But as of now, my focus is solely on the team. I thoroughly enjoy it. The organization is fantastic. Both Ryan [Smith] and Danny are excellent. Will Hardy has been amazing as well. Let’s wait and see.
In the meantime, how have you approached your role?
I’m fully committed. The summer was eventful with the trades happening, but in the end, I believe everything happens for a reason, which is why I’m back where I started. I’m here for my team and they’re here for me. Our goal isn’t to rebuild, but to win and compete. This has been my objective since the beginning. It feels great to be a part of a team that shares this commitment. My aim is to be the best leader for them. I’m constantly communicating with the guys, especially Collin [Sexton] and JC [Jordan Clarkson].
What has been your message to Clarkson?
I’ve been attempting to encourage him to evolve into a more strategic player, and he’s done an excellent job embracing this change. It’s through these small adjustments where I’m trying to incorporate elements of my style into his. He has the ability to score and show aggression. However, if he could master certain moves like taking two dribbles towards the corner or making an extra pass, he would excel. Thankfully, he’s really taken these suggestions to heart.
It’s been interesting to observe how my approach to the game is influencing him slightly in terms of his mindset. It’s proving to be beneficial. However, there are occasions when you need to step back and allow him to be himself. Don’t obstruct his path. Allow him to express himself. He has the freedom to take a shot whenever he feels it’s right, and just let it happen.
What have you seen in Sexton’s development?
He’s demonstrating patience and carefully selecting his opportunities. He’s the type who can get overly absorbed in the game, moving at 100 miles per hour. We spend every airplane ride together, watching game films for an hour or an hour-and-a-half. We discuss each play in detail. This is the nature of our relationship thus far, and it’s been quite beneficial.
What have the film sessions been like?
They have been truthful and genuine. We often find humor in questioning decisions like, ‘Why did you make that pass; what were you thinking?’ However, it’s all beneficial. It’s enlightening and educational. He’s managed to handle the feedback with grace.
Will Hardy also said you have helped him a lot. How do you help a first-year head coach?
We engage in frequent discussions and he is always included in our film sessions. He’ll join us in the back and we’ll discuss the proceedings. This is his first experience of the sort. I’m making an effort to assist him as much as I can, but he already possesses considerable knowledge. He’s proven to be an asset to our team and we’re grateful for his presence. Our discussions often revolve around player management. He frequently queries about the best way to handle a particular player or whether we should schedule practice on certain days or grant the team a day off, wondering how the team would react to such decisions.
What has been your feedback to him about those questions?
During our trip to LA, we initially had a break from practice. After our victorious match against the Lakers, it’s likely that many of the team went out to celebrate or ate late. The question was raised, ‘Would it be beneficial to wake them up early for practice?’ My response was affirmative, suggesting it would be wise not to let them sleep until mid-afternoon, but rather get them moving. Such discussions are indeed helpful.
How have you felt physically?
I feel fantastic, which is amusing considering I hadn’t felt anything since injuring my right hamstring two years ago. My health has been a primary concern for many, but I’ve been in good health for the past two years. The injury was a one-time incident, but its memory lingers, becoming a part of my identity. Regardless, I’m feeling wonderful. The youthful energy of the younger guys is keeping me sprightly; they’re pushing me on a daily basis. I’m genuinely relishing this experience.
After you signed your extension in the 2021 offseason, you told me you were going to refine your regimen. What have you been doing?
I’ve incorporated a significant amount of yoga into my routine and made adjustments to my diet, focusing on small changes. I’ve placed a lot of emphasis on getting more sleep, which is crucial for me. Maintaining a strict schedule, I wake up early and immediately start my day. I strive to get a solid seven to eight hours of sleep each night. My diet excludes red meat and pork, instead favoring fish and foods rich in vitamins and fiber. Recently, I’ve significantly increased my lifting regime. I lift weights after every game and again the following day, focusing on body conditioning, something I hadn’t done previously.
Why didn’t you do that earlier?
Initially, I believed it would leave me fatigued the following day. However, I’ve trained and developed a tolerance so my hamstrings and quads no longer trouble me. I’ve made a concerted effort to fortify these areas, which has proven to be an effective solution thus far.
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Mark Medina is a senior writer/analyst for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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