Skills Challenge — Mike Conley
Alright, I know I’m getting some eye rolls already on this one, especially from the host of Ricky Rubio stans out there. But Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies is set to suit up for this year’s Skills Challenge, and it would have been wildly thrilling for Utah Jazz fans if he were donning a Utah Jazz uniform for the event.
Leading up to the trade deadline, there was rampant speculation that the Utah Jazz could be involved in a big-time trade sending Ricky Rubio (among others) to Memphis in exchange for Mike Conley. Conley has been a prolific scorer throughout his NBA career, averaging nearly 20 points per game this season, and would have been a significant upgrade at the point guard spot for the Jazz. Pairing his scoring alongside Mitchell may have very well worked wonders for the squad.
Unfortunately, Memphis’ asking price was presumably too high and no deal came to fruition. Perhaps talks can be re-engaged this summer, but for now Jazz fans will have to watch Conley participate in a Grizzlies uniform. Knowing he was their new point guard and seeing him don the blue, green and gold would have made for a double whammy of a treat for Jazz fans in this year’s All-Star festivities. But as we all know, such won’t be the case.
There’s a number of other players that could potentially be in this competition from the Jazz roster. We saw Mitchell get an invitation last year before instead competing in the Dunk Contest. You could make arguments for any of the likes of Jae Crowder, Joe Ingles, Royce O’Neale and even Ricky Rubio participating in this event, but none would have been as exhilarating as seeing Conley as a newly dubbed Jazzman competing.
Oh, what could have been.