Mike Conley Jr. Dominates the Grizzlies' Records Book

Since the Grizzlies relocated (from Vancouver) to Memphis before the 2001-02 season, the team has had excellent superstars.

Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol both dominated the paint for Memphis in different eras, Zach Randolph defined the Grit-and-Grind Grizzlies, and Ja Morant took over the team four seasons ago and is on for greatness.

But in the Memphis Grizzlies' records book, a six-foot point guard stands above all these basketball Hall of Fame candidates.

Mike Conley Jr., who Memphis drafted fourth overall in the 2007 NBA draft, played a dozen years with the franchise (2007-2019). Though Conley Jr. was never the team's most dominant player, he is dominating the Memphis Grizzlies records book, according to Basketball Reference .

Conley Jr. is the team's all-time leading scorer with 25,700 points. He is also the all-time leader in assists with 4,509, in steals with 1,161, and in three-pointers with 1,086.

Where does Conley Jr. rank in 'Best Grizzlies ever' list?

Considering his longevity with the team, Conley's domination of the records book is not surprising. He is the franchise leader in games played with 788, and in nearly all of these games, he was in the starting lineup.

Still, ask Grizzlies fans who is the best player in Memphis' franchise history, and the most popular answer will likely be one of the Gasol brothers—both talented, tough, and locally admired—or the beastly, lovable Zebo Randolph or Ja, who has electrified the team in recent years.

Conley Jr. is probably not the best basketball player to ever play for the Memphis Grizzlies, but his all-time stats clearly show that he has delivered more on the court for the franchise than anyone else.

Even more importantly, Conley is one of the best leaders the franchise has ever had. He fell in love with the city of Memphis, stuck with the team in difficult times , showed up to play every game, and was a positive role model for young players.

Conley being Conley

Traded to the Utah Jazz in the mid-2019 season, Conley Jr. now plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, whom he led to the Western Conference Finals last season.

With the Wolves and previously with the Jazz, Conley has done exactly what he did during his 12-year stint with the Grizzlies. While he's gotten older and his minutes are down, Conley continues being Conley: Showing up every game, playing hard and smart, contributing to winning basketball, and mentoring young players.

While Conley has embraced being part of the Timberwolves and joining Anthony Edwards on his journey to greatness, it would have been more fitting if the Grizzlies found a way to bring the veteran point guard back to his beloved Memphis. Conley's leadership from the bench could have been valuable for the Grizzlies as they attempt to recover from a horrendous season and reclaim a spot in the playoffs.

Related: Mike Conley's Anthony Edwards Take Will Add Fuel To Michael Jordan Comparisons