When the Celtics started free agency by signing a 38-year-old Mike Conley, the move seemed like a bit of a head-scratcher. Sure, they had a bit of a need for point guard help, but Conley was a part-time role player last season, appearing in just 54 games for under 20 minutes a night and averaging under 5 points and 2 assists per game.
He was basically out of the Timberwolves' rotation and was part of two trades at the deadline before being waived and eventually reacquired by Minnesota. Mike was only included in playoff lineups because of multiple injuries to guards and ball handlers in front of him.
To say his best days are behind him would be a massive understatement, and yet the Celtics went out and signed him to the roster as their first move on the first day of free agency. But it became clear pretty quickly that Boston wasn’t so much adding him to play as for the impact he can make in the locker room.
Conley is a perfect mentor for Pritchard
Mike is an extremely well-respected veteran leader who has seen it all in the NBA, and badly wants to win his first title. The Celtics are loaded with talent, but they lack experience, and Conley brings that in spades. His presence is going to make a massive difference for a lot of these guys, and that was already evident on Monday with some of Payton Pritchard’s comments at media day.
“I listen to everything he says and kind of follow him. I love him as a person great human being, tremendous career and player. So many things he does well: passing the ball, gets to the paint… Just the way he sees the game. When I get on the bench or outside the game, just seeing what he sees and picking his brain.”
Payton was talking about how he can benefit from Mike, but it sure sounds like he already has. The two have talked and worked out together in LA with a bunch of other Celtics. Pritchard already talked about how Conley has a great floater while he shoots more jumpers.
Signing Conley will be well worth it if he helps Pritchard improve
Boston is investing a lot in Pritchard and banking on him taking the next step. In a way, it sounds like Conley is an investment in that, and that he can help mold Pritchard’s future. There aren’t many better veteran point guards for Payton to learn from, and the fact that they’re already hitting it off and making strides is great news.
I’m not completely writing off Conley as a player. In fact, I won’t be surprised if he has a few nice moments on the court with the Celtics. But he’s going to really provide value and make an impact with his leadership and mentorship, and we’re already seeing that with his newest apprentice, Pritchard.
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