Mike Conley is about to become the 14th player in NBA history to reach year 20. Before he retires, the former All-Star wanted to experience playing for one of the league's flagship franchises. That led him to sign with the Boston Celtics.
The veteran floor general also felt like change would be invigorating. Concluding his second decade in the Association on a new team in a new city was a way to keep things fresh.
"It's really exciting," Conley expressed on Day 2 of training camp at the Auerbach Center. He said joining the Celtics has been "like a shot in the arm."
Signing with the Celtics brought welcome change for Mike Conley
The former Minnesota Timberwolves guard could have returned for a fifth year in the Twin Cities. The franchise wanted him back. He was a highly respected voice in the locker room and a valuable resource for head coach Chris Finch.
However, rather than staying where he had grown comfortable, his move to Boston has woken him up on a deeper level than staying in Minnesota. It's not about preferring one place to the other; it's about prioritizing change over the status quo.
Being part of a new community and experiencing life in a different city and a new organization is a welcome readjustment for Conley. One he felt was needed, or at least what was best for him in year 20. How it is going has him believing that what may be his final NBA season will be special.
What won't change for Mike Conley
The former Ohio State star has spent the last few years splitting his role into three categories. He's one-third player, one-third mentor, and one-third coach. That will continue on his new team.
At his introductory press conference with the Celtics, he said that he still has more left in the tank. He didn't come just to fill the other parts of his job description. Joe Mazzulla and the coaching staff will have a plan to optimize him. They won't place too much of a burden on the soon-to-be 39-year-old.
They also know that he fits their identity. He's a turnover suppressor who can orchestrate the offense, knock down 3s, and come up with steals. As for his early work as a mentor in Boston, Conley is quickly building a bond with Payton Pritchard. The former Sixth Man of the Year has been eager to learn from his new teammate.
Along with their time training together, Conley has been impressed by the Celtics' young wings. They're hungry and willing to ask questions. That's how to maximize playing with an accomplished veteran entering his 20th season in the NBA.
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