Conley sheds 'underrated' label with memorably gutsy performance

Mike Conley is often referred to as an "underrated" point guard. He isn't flashy and has never been named to an All-Star team, but all he does on a consistent basis is guard his man, hit shots and run Memphis' offense with the efficiency of a sewing machine.

Night after night after night, Conley shows up on both ends of the floor. And in Game 2, wearing a mask to protect his surgically repaired face, he had perhaps the best game of his life, scoring 22 points on 12 shots in just 27 minutes. 

You honestly can't make this stuff up. Here's USA Today's Nate Scott with more:

"Conley is an old school point guard. After the game on Tuesday night, Randolph referred to Conley as their 'quarterback,' and it’s a fitting moniker. Conley’s best skill is getting all of the Grizzlies players involved. Randolph has struggled with point guards before who don’t remember to feed him in the post regularly — Conley does that. Conley also knows that by steadily giving Randolph the ball on offense, Z-Bo is then going to work hard for him on defense and the glass."

Memphis won because Conley played. His value is clear, and it's strange that all it took for everyone to recognize it was a broken face.

(h/t: For The Win)

Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault/USA TODAY Sports