Utah Jazz: 3 Match-ups to watch versus defending champions Toronto Raptors

Mike Conley vs Kyle Lowry

It’s crazy to think that these two were once teammates in the early days of their career in Memphis. Back then things were much more tumultuous for the Grizzlies than what we remember the Grit and Grind era to be.

Mike Conley was clearly supposed to be the franchise point guard they were rebuilding around, as he was drafted fourth overall and playing really well. OJ Mayo was clearly supposed to be his primary backcourt mate, as he was also a very solid young player at the time.

The Grizzlies had already drafted Kyle Lowry late in the first round back in 2006, but they complicated this matter by signing a washed up Allen Iverson ahead of the 2008-09 season.

Iverson refused to come off the bench, and ultimately got waived by the Grizzlies. Lowry got traded to the Houston Rockets where he would get more opportunity playing starter’s minutes, which he made the most of.

Fast forward nearly a decade, and both Mike and Kyle are on hefty contracts while playing well into their 30s. Earlier this season Lowry dominated this match-up, but now that Conley has found himself of late, this should be a more interesting match-up, especially given the historical ties between the two players.

Both players love to win and do what’s right for the team, but Mike is the much more proficient shooter whereas Kyle is the stronger athlete and defender.

I won’t feel too bad if Lowry wins this match-up (he was an All-Star this year), but if Mike can make it a close contest and not a landslide victory for Lowry, then all the better for the Jazz.