How Mike Conley has played a role in Keyonte George's development at point guard

MINNEAPOLIS — Keyonte George didn't need to hear the oohs of the crowd to know it was the best pass of his young career. Though, that audible confirmation sure didn't hurt.

During Utah's game against Orlando, the Jazz rookie guard dribbled to his right off a screen, switched the ball to his left hand, and bounced a perfect pocket pass just out of the reach of two defenders and into the hands of a cutting Lauri Markkanen for an easy layup.

George's combination of vision, timing and a bit of flash made Jazz fans perk up as if to collectively say, "What was that?!"

If you watch George's collegiate highlights from Baylor, you'll see him hitting tough shot after shot. His film is filled with step-backs, pull-ups, and fade-aways — he hit from anywhere, from any angle, and from practically any reasonable distance. Sure, the efficiency wasn't always there in college, but the shot-making talent was clear.

What's lacking, however, from all of his college reels is the passing acumen he has proudly displayed through Utah's first seven games this season.

So where did that come from?

"I mean, I feel like I've always had it," George said.

But then he revealed what may be the key to his early point guard success: He watches a lot of former Jazz guard Mike Conley.

"I got that pocket pass from him," said George as he sat on a chair courtside in the arena Conley now calls home.

George is a wise rookie. He knows that Markkanen is, without question, the best player on the team. So to George, any possession that ends with Markkanen getting a shot is a good one.

The young guard went back and reviewed how Conley played with the Finnish All-Star last season. He took notes on everything — where Markkanen liked to catch the ball, where on the court he liked to shoot, where he wanted to catch the ball on rolls — and then went and practiced getting the ball to those spots.

The result is a burgeoning two-man game between Markkanen and George. It's a partnership that first appeared during open gym leading up to training camp, and has kept getting better and better with more and more reps. And while George usually stays in the moment, he caught himself looking to the future a bit thinking of how the pair could grow together.

"We can have a dangerous two-man game for the next couple of years," he said.

Added Markkanen: "I think it's a good combo that we can utilize. He's a heck of a player. I'm happy to be sharing the court with him."

There's even more Conley influence in George's game, too.

George sees himself more in the mold of Jamal Murray. The way the Denver guard uses screens to create opportunities for himself — be it with stepbacks or midrange floaters — are all things that George has in his game, too.

But what's impressed the Jazz about his early games is how George hasn't just relied on his shotmaking ability. If anything, that's taken a backseat to his playmaking. And, yes, that's something he's picked up watching Conley.

"I think Mike always did a good job of balancing, getting everybody else involved in the game while still picking his spots to look for his own shot. I think that's where Keyonte has probably stood out early in the season," Jazz coach Will Hardy said. "I've never really felt like he was pressing. He's let the opportunities come to him and the shots that he's taken have sort of been obvious.

"Mike's a good role model. I'm glad Keyonte is watching Mike."

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