FanHouse MikeConleyJr

Mike Conley Jr. is at the forefront of the Grizzlies' youth movement. Drafted fourth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, he entered a team in the midst of tearing down the old roster in pursuit of rebuilding. Conley eventually worked his way into the rotation and was the featured point guard by season's end. Expectations are high for Conley to be a key factor in the Grizz turning things around in Memphis after the departure of Pau Gasol and the addition of Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo. Conley is of vital importance as point guard in the run and gun style that Marc Iavaroni wants to implement.

I caught up with Mike the other day after his first week of practice to talk to him about becoming a leader on a young team, working the transition game, and of course, Halo 3.

MM: What's the biggest thing you learned last year?

MC: Just to be patient. People come into the league, they want to play 120%. You have to know how to play smart and fit into an NBA game. That's one big thing I learned.

Get ready for a bidding war over a 34-year-old point guard, or maybe not. The Memphis Commercial-Appeal reports the team is working diligently on a buy-out agreement with disgruntled Damon Stoudamire, who responded to his benching by the #4 pick in the draft (Mike Conley Jr) by demanding his freedom. (Wait, your team spent first-rounders on point guards two consecutive years, and you're surprised you've lost your starting gig? Really?)

If Stoudamire does get his buy-out (which seems like a foregone conclusion -- few teams would be willing to pay the salary owed this year and next and give up anything of remote value to Memphis for the honor), who will line up to employ the serviceable Mighty Mouse? The Warriors seem to be edging younger with their backcourt backup vacancy; Boston hardly seems on the brink of needing another PG with Tony Allen playing OK.

I think there's going to be a problem for Stoudamire. He's not more than a backup for a good team at this point, but he doesn't seem ready to accept his charge. By blowing up so quickly and unabashedly in Memphis, he likely damaged his market. I think someone's going to need to be desperate to justify adding him. It might not be a problem -- there are plenty of desperate teams in the NBA. But a new contract isn't a sure thing. Hope he doesn't give up too much in the buy-out agreement.

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Cup of Coffee
How long could the Grizzlies really wait after Mike Conley, Jr., returned from injury to get him in the starting lineup? The correct answer would be "not long". Conley has started three straight games now for the Griz with Kyle Lowry coming into behind him and has looked pretty freaking good considering the 20 game layoff with a shoulder injury. He's a must add in almost any league -- he went for $51 in the 30 team league I'm in -- and his contributions in assists, steals and surprising rebound numbers are an asset to any fantasy team. Keeper leagues, obviously, should have already been all over this guy.

Hot Cakes
Another "rookie" (and we're using the quotes since he's older than I am) that deserves a second look from fantasy owners is the high flying former Seminole Al Thornton. Thornton was heavily prized by many an owner during draft season, but his early season performance saw him cast aside in fantasy waiver wires and the Clippers' rotation as well. Thornton's been "back" to a degree during his last two games, scoring in double figures. Tim Thomas is banged up, which has been the cause of Thornton's starting time, but if he can step up his play while Thomas is down he still has a chance to seize the gig. Take a flier but don't look for a plug in the starting lineup.

As it turns out, all the Oden vs. Durant arguments weren't total wastes. ESPN's Andy Katz is reporting that Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., and Daequan Cook are all leaving Ohio State and entering the NBA draft. An official news release is coming out tomorrow.

There's really not a ton to say about it that hasn't already been said. Everyone's been operating on the assumption that he would go pro, and rightfully so. I certainly wouldn't expected either of them to turn down the opportunity to be a guaranteed top-2 pick.

One thing that strikes me, though, is that in the case of Durant and now Oden, too, both of them talked about how much they liked college and wanted to stay ... and both are now officially in the draft. Not that I'm going to shed any tears for anyone in those particular shoes, but ... is that a little bit sad?

I know it's not like a depression-era 9-year-old who has to quit school to work on the farm with pa, but ... they both expressed a desire to be a student for a while longer, and neither of them will get to fulfill that desire. The way of the world, I guess. Some people have to become bazillionaires before they want to.

Something tells me we'll hear more about Oden and Conley here in the FanHouse.

Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel has invited Mike Conley Jr. and Greg Oden to coach against each other in Ohio State's spring football game. Said Tressel of his gesture:

I really believe in these young men, and I'd like them to stay around campus. I see a lot of myself in them. They're bright, energetic, hard-working kids, and they've proved that they're just as capable of getting stomped by Florida as I am.

Okay, he didn't say that. Sorry.

Oden turned down the offer, because his aunt's getting married that day. Conley will be there, though, hopefully in a sweater vest. Taking Oden's spot will be Jamar Butler. Daequan Cook has been relegated to an assistant role on Conley's staff. I guess Tressel doesn't care if he leaves.