Mike Conley will have the chance to play with another fortress in the paint after spending the vast majority of his career playing alongside Marc Gasol with the Memphis Grizzlies. The new Utah Jazz point man will play with reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert on his team, a force to reckoned with as one of the best rim defenders in the league:
“Ah man, it’s a blessing to be on his side now! He’s been a pain in a lot of people’s side for a long time because he’s that guy that you know is always back there,” Conley told Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. “Even when you think you have a wide-open lay-up, you’re still kind of looking over your shoulder for him and you might even miss that wide-open lay-up because you’re worried about him and you aren’t used to an uncontested look around him (laughs). Man, it’s just fun to have a guy like that. He’s so passionate about the game and he works extremely hard. I’m excited to watch him play in the games over there in China. It’ll be fun.”
Gobert is always one of the NBA's top shot blockers, and he can lead the league in intimidation factor, as his 7-foot-1 frame and his Mister Fantastic stretch-like arms have terrorized would-be bucket getters around the paint.
The Frenchman also prospects as an excellent finisher around the league, including his put-back ability and lob-catching ability that will give Conley an endless supply of options in the pick-and-roll game, now with a younger, more athletic co-star.
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