While most players sidestep the question of what an All-Star selection means to them, providing a glib answer that focuses on the team's long-term goal of winning a championship, Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley chose instead to be forthright.
Speaking with reporters in anticipation of coaches finalizing the reserve selections Tuesday afternoon, Conley opened up about what being named to the squad would mean to him.
“That would mean the world to me, obviously,” Conley told reporters, via ESPN's Tim McMahon. “It would say a lot about me as a person after the year I had last year, to come back and compete at the level I've competed at,” the guard continued. “I do feel like I've played well enough to be in that conversation and to, quite frankly, be one of those reserves.”
Though Conley has ranked as one of the best point guards in the NBA since his entrance into the league 13 years ago, the Jazz veteran has failed to qualify for an All-Star game throughout his career. While he has come close multiple times over the years–most notably in 2016-17–Conley boasts a resume this season that may be too difficult for the coaches making the decisions to ignore.
The Jazz own the best record in the NBA at 24-6. Furthermore, Conley has been the most consistent performer on the team beyond even Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Boasting a stat line of 15 points, nearly six assists, and shooting over 37% from behind the arc, Conley has led the league in plus-minus for much of the year.
With advanced statistics increasingly in vogue, the Jazz point guard's prominence in those measures could be the critical factor in him finding a way onto the team.
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