In his 16th NBA season, Mike Conley is averaging a career-high of 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 just waiting for the phone call to confirm I was moving elsewhere,” said Conley.
Surprisingly, Conley continues to sport a Jazz uniform. Shockingly, Utah has had one of the best opening runs of 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 about his performance, his role as a mentor for Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, his experience playing under first-year head coach Will Hardy, as well as 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 unlike any other team I’ve been a part of. Our team is incredibly deep. Each member has their individual aspirations, aiming to challenge the world’s perception of them and showcase how much we can all grow. We all possess this relentless spirit and tenacity. When you combine all these elements, you get the result you’re witnessing now. Being a part of this has been genuinely 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, my future was uncertain. I was unsure of who would be present or if I would even be included. Once it was confirmed that I would start the season here, I shifted my attention to the necessary preparations and focused on playing. I decided to leave the rest up to fate; whatever will be, will be. While I’m here, I intend to perform at my best and contribute as much as possible to this team.
Has the front office offered any more clarity to you since the season started?
Nothing changes from my viewpoint. I’ll continue with my actions just as before. Justin [Zanik] and Danny [Ainge] have been completely open about everything. If any new development arises, they’ll inform me. Right now, my focus is solely on the team. I absolutely love it. The organization is wonderful. Ryan [Smith], Danny, and Will Hardy have all been fantastic. We’ll see how things go.
In the meantime, how have you approached your role?
I’m fully accepting it. The summer was filled with activity due to the trades. However, you find yourself back where you started for a reason. I’m here for my teammates and they’re here for me. Our aim isn’t to rebuild, but to win and compete. That’s been my goal since the beginning. It feels great to be part of a team that’s firmly committed to that. I strive to be the best possible leader for them. I focus on mentoring my teammates, particularly Collin [Sexton] and JC [Jordan Clarkson].
What has been your message to Clarkson?
I’m attempting to encourage him to develop as a playmaker and he’s been phenomenal in achieving that. It’s subtle strategies like this that I’m endeavoring to incorporate into his game. He certainly has the ability to score and assert himself, but he would truly excel if he could learn to take a couple of dribbles to the corner or opt for the additional pass. He has been very receptive to these changes.
It’s been exciting to observe that he’s adopting certain aspects of my game approach, which seems to be beneficial. However, there are moments when you need to step back. Don’t obstruct his path. Let him be himself. He has the freedom to shoot the ball whenever he feels like it, just let it happen.
What have you seen in Sexton’s development?
He’s maintaining patience and choosing his moments wisely. He’s capable of going 100 miles per hour and may sometimes get overly engrossed in the game. We spend our plane rides reviewing film together for an hour or sometimes even more. We discuss every single play. This has been the nature of our relationship so far and it’s been incredibly beneficial.
What have the film sessions been like?
They have shown honesty and authenticity. Our laughter often erupts when we question each other’s decisions like, ‘Why did you pass that way; what was your intention there?’ But it’s all in good spirit. It’s enlightening and educational. He’s handled the feedback well.
Will Hardy also said you have helped him a lot. How do you help a first-year head coach?
We engage in frequent discussions, with him being a key participant in our film sessions. He will join us in the back and we’ll hash it out together. This is his first experience doing this, so I’m offering as much support as I can. However, he’s already knowledgeable. His contribution has been invaluable to us and we’re grateful for his presence. It’s all about player management. Often, he’ll inquire about the best way to handle a specific individual or whether we should schedule practice on a certain day or take a day off. He wonders about how the team will react.
What has been your feedback to him about those questions?
During our trip to LA, we initially had a break from practice. After our victory over the Lakers, many of the team members likely went out or had a late meal. He suggested, ‘Should we wake them up and hold a practice?’ I responded, ‘That seems like a good plan. We don’t want them sleeping in until the afternoon. It’s better to get them moving.’ This kind of communication is really beneficial.
How have you felt physically?
I’m in high spirits, which is amusing considering I hadn’t felt anything since injuring my right hamstring two years ago. My health has been the primary topic of conversation around me. Remarkably, I’ve maintained good health for the past two years. That injury was just a one-time occurrence. Yet, that label seems to have stuck with me. I’m feeling fantastic and the youthful energy of the younger guys around me is keeping me spry. They push me daily and I’m truly relishing the 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 and dietary changes into my routine, making slight modifications here and there. I’ve also been prioritizing sleep as it’s crucial for me. I do my best to ensure I get enough rest and maintain an early rising schedule. I aim for a solid seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. I’ve eliminated red meat and pork from my diet, replacing them with fish and foods rich in vitamins and fiber. Additionally, I’ve increased my weightlifting routine, exercising after each game and even the day after. I’m focusing on improving my physical fitness, something I hadn’t done before.
Why didn’t you do that earlier?
Initially, I thought such activities would leave me exhausted the following day. However, I’ve developed a tolerance over time, particularly to discomfort in my hamstrings and quads. I’ve concentrated on enhancing the strength in these areas and so far, it has been an effective solution.
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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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