The Memphis Grizzlies' seven-year playoff streak came to an end last season largely due to Mike Conley missing the majority of the campaign. The influential point guard played just 12 games in 2017-18 after suffering a heel injury that forced him to have surgery in January. In his dozen outings, the veteran averaged 17.1 points and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 38.1 percent from the field and 31.2 percent from three-point range.

A season to forget

Due to his absence, the Grizzlies endured one of their worst years in franchise history as they finished with a 22-60 record. 

But Memphis fans will be happy to know that the 30-year-old has made a full recovery and will be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp next week. 

“There’s no doubt about it,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told Mark Giannotto of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

“Mike’s been playing pick up, those types of things. For the first time in a long time, we’re looking at walking into training camp with healthy bodies and healthy, high-caliber players.

"Not just guys who would be your 13th or 14th man. We’ve got our studs healthy, which we’re looking forward to.”

The Tennessee-based outfit is still unlikely to compete for a postseason berth this year but they should at least be more competitive.

One positive from their horrendous campaign was capturing the number four pick in the draft and selecting promising big man Jaren Jackson Jr. from Michigan State. 

But the Grizzlies have already stated that they prefer to bring him along slowly which will mean that they'll rely heavily on Conley to be their leader. 

Speaking at the Team USA training camp in Las Vegas in July, the 11-year man previously confirmed that he would be ready for the new season ahead. 

“I’m doing really well,” Conley said, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst. “I wish I could’ve participated in contact stuff.

"I think I could, but we’re being cautious and allowing me to get a full summer of rehab. I should be ready to go by training camp — I expect to be ready.”

Having signed a whopping five-year, $156 million contract with the team in 2016, this will be a big year for Conley as he's yet to prove that they were right to give him such a lucrative deal.

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