On Mike Conley, the Immortal Memphis Grizzlies, and Nightmares Ending

As of this afternoon, Memphis point guard Mike Conley is back from his (back) injury. For the Grizzlies, the nightmare is over.

I love the Grizzlies in a purely journalistic way. They’re an interesting team to follow, and their story of continual small-market relevance is simultaneously endearing and inspiring. And now, with their best player back, they’re ready to get the 2016 season back on track.

Except… it’s still on track. Take a look at the standings, Memphis is in fifth place, solidly in the middle of a crowded Western Conference.

When Conley went down, the most common reaction was something along the lines of: tread water until he gets back, and then fight for a low playoff spot. Memphis, then a few games over .500, hoped to hold serve around that mark until Conley returned. Meet that mark, and the Grizz could get to 7th or 8th.

But then they won several improbable games (somehow winning almost every game without Conley). And now, Conley is back weeks ahead of the original timetable. The team that some counted out is still very much relevant, and reminding everyone why they’ve so consistently been unwilling to give up on this core or their playoff streak.

We all remember the Conley contract, right? How everyone laughed that his pay scale landed him solidly in LeBron James and Kevin Durant territory? How so many people said Memphis should give up and rebuild? Conley is a fantastic player, one that elevates this Memphis squad to the heights they’ve reached in recent years. He deserved (and deserves) every penny.

Memphis right now is a solid playoff team. In a league dominated by “super teams” and star power, let’s not forget how rare their sustainable, small-market success truly is.