Buckskin86
Moderator
Grizzlies' Mike Conley tunes up his game with assist from keyboard and new teammate Tinsley
By Ronald Tillery
Posted December 28, 2009
Mike Conley regained his confidence stroke by stroke by tickling the ivory keys.
Photo by Mark Weber
Grizzlies guard Mike Conley says playing the piano "helps ease the stress," as does his relationship with fellow guard Jamaal Tinsley.
The third-year point guard turned to the piano when times got tough, and to help drown out the noise of naysayers.
"It helps ease the stress," the Grizzlies point guard said of his new hobby. "You get home, play the piano and feel better. It's something to chill with."
Conley actually enters tonight's Memphis game against the Washington Wizards a little cold, having shot 28 percent with only six assists in his last two games. But those performances aren't emblematic of Conley's last month.
Conley seems settled and mostly on point after a horrid start.
He's relaxed, not shaky as the starter thanks in part to Allen Iverson's exit, Jamaal Tinsley's arrival and a sudden love affair with the piano.
About a month ago, Conley was walking in Best Buy with rookie teammate Sam Young. The pair stopped at a keyboard that Young began to play masterfully.
Conley became impressed and interested enough that he bought a keyboard the next day. Conley has learned the piano with the help of one-hour DVDs ever since, which included about four hours on Christmas Day.
"It's something to take your mind off basketball," said Young, a piano player since the ninth grade after picking up the talent from his blind younger brother, Michael Spriggs.
Coincidence or not, Conley's interest in taking up a musical instrument coincided with his turnaround on the court. He's gone from being off key to making joyful noises most times on the court over the past month, especially when he's attacking in the paint.
Conley is averaging 12.7 points on 49-percent shooting and 4.6 assists this month. He's shot better than 50 percent in eight of the past 12 games, which includes a career-high five 3-pointers Dec. 18 against Indiana.
His two 20-point games in December compared with zero in the Grizzlies' first 17 games this season indicate that Conley is capable of reaching an aggressive gear the coaching staff craves.
"He's still a young player learning when he can attack and when he has to pull the ball back," said Griz coach Lionel Hollins, who earlier praised Conley for channeling the end of last season. "There are a lot of expectations of each and every player. It doesn't always happen when you think it should happen. ... Some players start fast and some start slower. I'd rather have one start a little slower and get stronger as the season wears on rather than one that starts fast and fades."
Grizzlies' Mike Conley tunes up his game with assist from keyboard and new teammate Tinsley? The Commercial Appeal
Upvote
0
