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Three Mike Conley stats that should have Utah Jazz fans feeling giddy

By Jared Woodcox

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrates after hitting a three pointer against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrates after hitting a three pointer against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 20: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Houston Rockets on March 20, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 20: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Houston Rockets on March 20, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Assist-to-Turnover Ratio

So far, we’ve talked a lot about Conley’s ability to score which is excellent and should have Jazz fans salivating. After all, he did average a career-high 21.1 points per game this past season with above average efficiency while being the best player on his team and therefore the opponents’ main focus game in and game out.

However, what we haven’t touched on enough yet is his ability to also play-make and create opportunities for his teammates, which he does very well. Conley by himself is a massive upgrade for the Jazz, but his ability to make the other members of his squad better will have a significant impact as well.

Last season, despite posting the highest usage rating of his career (26.1 percent), he remained incredible in terms of his assist-to-turnover ratio which was at 3.45. Compare that to that of Ricky Rubio, who is known as a prolific passer, of just 2.87, and it’s easy to get excited about what Conley will bring as a distributor as well.

Not only can Conley pass the ball well for easy buckets, but he also is level-headed and takes excellent care of the ball. His turnover ratio last season was just 7.0, in comparison to Rubio’s of 11.2. Conley also had more assists per game last season than Ricky – 6.4 versus 6.1 – while turning it over less – 1.9 versus 2.6. For his career, Conley averages just two turnovers per game, but he’s been under two per contest in three of the past four seasons, showing further improvement in that area.

Considering the load he had to shoulder last season in Memphis, that ability to take care of the ball in such fashion is nothing less than spectacular. Factor in now that he will be playing alongside a more capable group of teammates and will have a prolific backcourt mate in Donovan Mitchell to ease his burden as well, and there’s no limit to what he can accomplish with the Jazz.

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What I haven’t even touched on here is Conley’s superb defensive ability that formerly landed him on the NBA All-Defensive Team and his reputation as a stellar teammate and locker room presence. Factor those two items in with these three aforementioned stats that prove just how well Conley should fit in with the Jazz’s style, and it’s no wonder why he was Utah’s primary target this summer.

Mike Conley has all the traits to be the perfect addition to the Utah Jazz roster, which is precisely why hopes are so high for the 2019-20 season. Can it be October yet? Because Jazz fans are likely in for an exciting ride.

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