Michael Conley Receives Big Extension. Why?

Michael Heisley to Grizzlies fans on announcing the Conley Extension

News broke yesterday that the Memphis Grizzlies have given starting point guard Mike Conley, Jr. a 5 year, $45 million extension.  Approximately $5 million is tied to bonuses that Conley isn't likely to reach (he has to become an elite PG, and the Grizzlies have to be a 50 win playoff team).

The big question though, is why sign Conley to such a big extension?  Why sign him to an extension at all?  The reason given is that Conley is a mere 23 years of age, and has shown big improvement during the preseason and 3 games.  Have the Grizzlies ignored the fact that over the last three years, Conley simply hasn't been that good?  He hasn't even been average.  This guy's inconsistency is the reason the Grizzlies have gambled on headcases like Jamaal Tinsley and Allen Iverson.  Its why they drafted Greivis Vasquez this summer and also why they had O.J. Mayo experiment at the point guard during Summer League.  Now he has one good week and you give him an extension, and not just any extension, but one that he likely wouldn't have even gotten in the open market after this year.

(More after the jump)

2010-11 Season Previews: Memphis Grizzlies

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team.  We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best.  Now we take a look at Michael Heisley's Grizzlies, who exceeded expectations last year.  Can they do it again?

2009-10 Record: 40-42
Additions: Tony Allen (FA), Damien Wilkins (FA), Grevis Vasquez (Draft), Xavier Henry (Draft)
Subtractions: Steven Hunter, Ronnie Brewer, Marcus Williams, Jamaal Tinsley, Lester Hudson

Unsung Heroes: Southwest Division

Players are often described as being "overrated" or "underrated".  In the NBA, this often translates to overrated players being players that are good, but vastly overpaid for their abilities, or who get more media exposure than some other players, while underrated often means a player who is making a pittance for his current production (funnily enough, underrated players tend to become labeled overrated when they get new, bigger contracts).

I do think there are some underrated players though, players that aren't as widely known for their roles on their team, who don't often get mentioned for their contributions but are indeed integral parts of their team.

Over the next week or so, I'll be looking at each team to find one "underrated" player for each team in the league.  Tuesday, we looked at the Atlantic Divsion, Wednesday the Central, and yesterday the Southeast. After the jump, we leave the East Coast and travel to the Southwest.