Get well Mike

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Memphis is on a historic run this playoff season. Never have the Grizzlies been 3-0 in a playoff series. The heartbeat of excitement is palpable throughout the city. That feeling is tempered with held breath and anxiety. Our floor general has been wounded in the line of duty.

Mike Conley had just returned to play after missing four regular season games. He made an appearance at the season end against the Pacers. It was apparent that Conley was still walking wounded, and not 100%. There was rest to be had before the playoffs began. The round robin of treatment Conley endured to be ready to perform was intense. Round the clock rehab included sleeping with his foot attached to a T.E.N.S unit to stimulate the muscles, heat treatments and ice baths. Stretching and light workouts to examine progress. To say that Captain Clutch is willing to endure and ignore pain would be an understatement.

The 2015 playoffs began in Memphis, and saw Mike Conley return to the helm of the Grizzly Ship. After falling from the #2 spot down to #5,  the seeding against the Portland Trailblazers seemed favorable. Memphis had won the regular season series match-up of 4 games leading into the playoff series. Much was made of the head to head of  Conley/Lillard. Lillard after all took the All-Star spot many believe should have belonged to Conley. Further conversation will put Mike where he belongs on All-Star rosters, and it won’t be behind Damian Lillard.

Not only did Conley return to the helm, he did so with authority. Game 1 saw Conley go full force with a grimace. He did not shy away from contact, nor did he eliminate routes in traffic. Game 2 saw him become more comfortable on the foot. Working the point with vengeance, directing the arsenal. While game 1 belonged mostly to Beno Udrih, game 2 was most definitely classic Conley. Where Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph and Jeff Green struggled offensively, Mike Conley was the dictator. Even at 80% Conley is a force to be reckoned with, and one that has put Damian Lillard to the grindstone.

Game 3 was intense from the beginning. Beno Udrih had been sidelined due to an ankle sprain sustained in game 2. Arron Affalo returned to the Blazers line-up. Momentum had built and rolled full steam ahead. Memphis went into the half with a playoff franchise high 62 points. Memphis looked again like the first half season team that generated real talk of a championship.

And then the hit. Much controversy has swirled as to whether the hit was intentional or inadvertent. Here’s my take. While A.J McCollum did not intentionally injure Conley with the elbow hit, it was his intention in raising the arm to move Mike out of his defensive position, and to create contact. Mike was in correct defensive position, low with arms outstretched. McCollum followed through with the arm that made contact over the back of Mike Conley. He may not have injured him intentionally, but he intentionally initiated contact. He could have just as easily dropped his shoulder to create space, and avoid contact. There is a difference between intent to injure, and intent to create contact and move an opposing player off his position. In the heat of play, that split second decision resulted in catastrophic contact.

Conley was immobile on the court for several seconds while play continued. Once play was halted he was attended to by teammates and medical staff. He was able to come to his feet, and walk unassisted to to the locker room. The hit was to the area between the eye socket and cheekbone. While details have not been released other than multiple facial fractures that require surgery, from the amount of blood on the towel I would also venture to guess that the hit broke Mike’s nose. I’ll reiterate that the nose has not been confirmed, but an estimated evaluation on my part.

Mike Conley is back in Memphis, and will undergo surgery today. The rumor mill is hard at work as to whether or not Mike Conley will be able to return to play in the rest of the playoff push. He has been ruled out of tonight’s game 4. While no estimates have been released from the franchise as to his ability to return to play, there is Mike’s previous injury history. I have had the pleasure of spending time with Mike Conley on several occasions while representing All Heart in Hoop City. I can tell you this, not only is he gracious, he is the most competitive man in uniform. He is dedicated to his craft, and loyal to his team. This season has seen him play in and through injury. It will not be a matter of will, it will be the way. If there is way for Conley to return to play, he will be on the floor come hell or Golden State Warrior. On behalf of All Heart in Hoop City we extend our get well wishes and love to Captain Clutch.

Jennifer Conroy
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