SALT LAKE CITY – Mike Conley’s long wait is over.
Conley, who has been one of the leading point guards in the NBA for more than a decade, is on his way to his first NBA All-Star Game this Sunday in Atlanta.
Utah’s silver point guard will replace injured Phoenix guard Devin Booker in the game, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Friday. In addition to being in the game, Conley will also replace Booker in the three-point game that takes place before the game.
Conley will be Utah’s fourth representative during the annual mid-season showcase, joining Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and head coach Quin Snyder.
Mitchell and Conley will be teammates in the match – they play for Team Durrant – but will play against each other in the three-point match. Conley is shooting 42% off the three-point line this season.
The veteran point guard scored an average of 16.1 points and 5.7 assists this season and was an analytical treasure, with several advanced stats that consider him one of the most influential players in the league.
“I’m really happy to be mentioned in the conversation again and really do it my way – not scoring 40 points per game and not trying to take 20 shots,” Conley said last month.
Conley has long been considered one of the best players to ever make an All-Star Game. And yes, that’s a distinction he likes to make.
“I’d rather drop the label – that would mean I’ve achieved the goal of being an All-Star,” Conley said.
Especially because the honor came as he always played.
“I do it in a way that I know I can influence the game and be unselfish, effective, play defense and be the two-way player I always have been,” Conley said. “Being seen as an All-Star is pretty cool.”