{"id":847859,"date":"2026-09-30T22:45:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T22:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/847859\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T22:45:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T22:45:30","slug":"guard-mike-conley-will-be-a-player-and-coach-with-celtics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/847859\/","title":{"rendered":"Guard Mike Conley will be a player and ‘coach’ with Celtics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Conley will look for ways to fit in on the court, and there will be scenarios when he is needed. But the Celtics also acquired him<\/a>, in large part, to be a steady veteran presence in the locker room, sort of like Al Horford was during his time in Boston.<\/p>\n

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Yes, Conley will have a role as a player, but he will also display some qualities of a coach, and he is looking forward to both opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easy for me,\u201d Conley said. \u201cI\u2019ve had this role for a few years on different teams. I\u2019ll be ready to play when my number\u2019s called, always. I\u2019m a pro at that aspect. But my best thing is being able to connect with the guys, being able to give my experiences, share my experiences, and help guys in real time. Be another coach on the floor, be another coach on the bench. Talking to guys, try to get in their ear and be the best versions of themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Superstar forward Jayson Tatum can do just about everything on a basketball court, but he does not have a reputation for setting a tone with his voice<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Conley said leadership does not always have to look like a rah-rah moment. He said it is notable that Tatum took the initiative to invite a group of players to Los Angeles for workouts recently. And Conley said at the start of training camp, Tatum has not been shy about being heard, particularly when he sees a chance to mentor.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the outside looking in, I always thought he\u2019s one of the best players in the league,\u201d Conley said. \u201cI think getting to know him now, he\u2019s a guy that I feel is really kind of coming into his own as a leader, a guy that\u2019s ready to make a jump. I think after the last couple years with the injury and things like that, he has a lot to prove. He\u2019s out there trying to prove it. So I\u2019m excited for him and his growth throughout the time I\u2019m around him, and I\u2019m just going to try to help him as best as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard and Conley are both 6 feet 1 inch, and both have thrived over the years despite the fact that could be considered a limitation. Pritchard said he is a longtime admirer of Conley\u2019s game, and he hopes to have similar longevity.<\/p>\n

For now, Pritchard is soaking up all he can. And while accepting these morsels of wisdom and instruction, he has realized that Conley still has something to give as a player, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI listen to everything he says and kind of follow him,\u201d Pritchard said. \u201cI love him as a person, great human being, but like, tremendous career and player, and just so many things he does well. Passing the ball, gets in the paint. Now, he shoots more floaters than I would. I\u2019m more of a pull-up jumper. We talk about that, but just the way he sees the game, and somebody when I get on the bench or out outside the game, just seeing what he sees and picking his brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conley would like to help his teammates understand that success can be fleeting, and that a group this talented needs to capitalize now. He has participated in the playoffs in 13 of his 19 seasons, but has yet to reach the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s that sense of urgency that maybe reignites that for the guys who have already won it,\u201d Conley said, \u201cto kind of continue to push them every day and continue to show them how we want to win, at practices, and try to translate that to games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach<\/a>.<\/p>\n