Mike Conley took the time out to talk with SneakerReporter.com about his season-ending heel injury, sneakers, video games and etc. Conley is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and his focus is to make sure that everyone puts respect on his name. Being sidelined has been tough but Mike talked about the positives and talked about still being connected to the team. In his career, he’s averaged 14.2 points per game and 5.7 assists per game. Mike has shown consistency throughout his career and has been deserving of the big payday he received last offseason of 5 Year/$153 Million from the Grizzlies. In this interview, we were able to dive into a lot of interests of Mike on and off the court so enjoy.

SR: Since it’s March Madness time. What did it mean to you to see your school Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament this year?

MC: It’s always fun around this time of year with March Madness when you get to watch all these games. To have your school apart of that is always a great thing to have the representation of your school and the fans. People get to see all the schools that you don’t usually see nationally and they match up with different kind of powerhouse teams. It’s a cool environment and something cool to be associated with. I’m just happy the Buckeyes made it to the tournament again and hopefully, next season will be our year.

SR: What were your thoughts on (Ohio States) Kam Williams and what you like about his game?

MC: Kam has improved every single year man. He’s a great athlete and a great scorer as well. Kam has a very nice jump shot and as he’s gotten older he’s learned how to play at a certain speed and let the game slow down for him a little bit. He’s able to find his places a lot better than he did earlier in his career. I’m happy for him and hope he got everything he got out of college and more.

SR: What does it mean to you being apart of Jordan Brand and Nike? We’ve seen you spotted in some Jordan/Nike Off-White heat all year.

MC: It’s honestly a blessing to be apart of Jordan Brand. It’s a dream as a kid you never dreamed that you would be apart of a great company like this. Now that I am it’s really like a family atmosphere because they treat you like family and care about you as the individual. It’s not just about the basketball side or the shoe side they really want to see you succeed as a person. Those are all values that I looked for and hold dear to me. Now the shoes are obviously my favorite thing because I get to wear something exclusive or something new that no one else has and Jordan Brand always makes sure that we have that.

SR: What is your favorite Air Jordan of all-time? Also if you could customize your own Air Jordan to play in which would you use?

MC: My favorite Air Jordan of all-time is the Space Jam 11s. I like all the Jordan 11s but if I could customize my own pair to play in it would probably be the Jordan 10s. I love the way the Jordan 10s feel when I’m hooping and I play ball with them in my spare time.

SR: What were some of the positives you took from watching your team during your injury-recovery process?

MC: When you’re off the court and able to watch from the stands you learn a lot more about the coaching aspect of things. You get to understand different plays, sets, and different opportunities for game management. There are things that you don’t really get the feel of while you’re playing because you do it off of instinct. When you’re watching you have to think the game a lot more. So for me, it’s been a constant cycle of going through each game and picking and choosing different lessons I can learn from different games. I see different things that teammates have done better so hopefully, I can learn from them when I get back on the court. All those things are helping me become a better thinker of the game.

SR: How would you describe the Memphis Grizzlies atmosphere/culture? Also what does playing for the city of Memphis mean to you?

MC: Memphis is a unique city and a unique organization. We honestly feel like this city and organization is all one. We’re hand and hand with everything that we do in our community and with our games. It’s a small city and a blue-collar city because everyone works hard for what they get and they earn it. That’s kinda what we’ve had to do over the last seven or eight years we had to earn everything little bit that we got. That’s what is so special about this place because it’s unique but directly relatable to fans and relatable to the community in that aspect.

SR: How much do you miss being out there on the court/off the court with your teammates during your recovery?

MC: I miss it so much man honestly. I’m reminded of it every time I’m around the team just how I miss the game and how much I miss being around them. They mean everything to me. You don’t realize how much you need them and how much you want to be around them until you don’t have them around you all the time anymore. You miss them when you have to be at home rehabbing while they’re on the road. You miss all those plane rides and the time you spend with them in between games. They’re like my extended family and it’s really tough not to be around them and have to watch from sidelines/TV. They know how much I need them and they know how much they do good for my spirits just being around them and to be one of the guys again.

SR: Do you believe you’re underrated in the NBA? Also, do you still have that chip on your shoulder like I have to still prove myself?

MC: I definitely still play with that chip on my shoulder as if I am underrated. I feel like each year I get better and each year I proved somebody else wrong but my sights are still set on improving this group to get better. One day somebody will put me up there with the guys that I believe I’m up there with. I just have to keep grinding and keep my head down while staying focused like I always do and the other stuff will work out.

SR: Who’s the toughest point guard you’ve gone up against in your career so far?

MC: There are so many point guards nowadays. Hmmmm one of the tougher point guards for me has always been Russell Westbrook. Just because of his size and his strength. He can easily just bump you off your spot and with him being a 6″1 guard you’re not used to seeing that too often especially with the speed that he has. He’s definitely one and obviously, Steph is pretty tough to guard when he’s got it going so they’re plenty of different people I can point at and say they’re some of the tougher ones to guard out there. 

SR: What are some of your hobbies outside of the Basketball?

MC: What a lot of people don’t know is that I love going to the movies. I’m always trying to watch out for the latest movies that come out no matter where I’m at.

SR: What’s your favorite movie of all-time?

MC: I would have to go with Anchor Man the original because I can watch that all day it’s hilarious.

SR: Name 3 music artists that you have to listen to in your pregame playlist?

MC: Probably would be Jay-Z, Moneybagg Yo, and Kanye West

SR: I heard you’re a huge gamer. Which video games are you playing right now?

MC: I was on Fortnite before it was popular so I don’t play it as much. I play Fortnite, Battleground, Madden, NBA 2K, Call of Duty, Gears of War. I’m in a Madden league right now and I play every couple of days on that. I honestly play all of the games that are out man.

SR: Do you play PlayStation or XBox One?

MC: I stay on the XBox 

SR: Do you play as yourself when you’re playing NBA 2K? Do they have your looks/mechanics down in the game?

MC: Nah I can’t do it because I’m careful with my own guy. I think the looks are almost identical and the moves are close not all the way there but it’s a video game. They have to get my floater in the game a lot better I feel like we will be good.

SR: What would your message be to the Memphis Grizzlies fans that are waiting for you to get back on the court. So that they can have something to look forward to next season?

MC: I would tell them to stick with us. I’ll be back really soon and that progress is key. This is a small bump in the road for us but we’ll be back next year ready to go and even better. So stick with us and Go Grizzlies!!!!

You can follow Mike Conley on social media —> IG – @Mac11 , Twitter – @MConley11

Photo Cred: (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren), (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Jerry Perez/Pacific Coast News, AP Photos, Clutch Sports,  (AP Photo/Brandon Dill), Basketball Insider, Ronald Tillery, USA TODAY NETWORK, House of Heat, Bleacher Report, Joe Murphy/Getty Images,Jos’e Blanco, Sole Collector