Mike Conley managed Boston's substitutions during a 114-93 preseason victory over Charlotte, according to The Athletic's report published by the NBA. Joe Mazzulla asked the veteran guard to try the responsibility as a way of seeing the game from the coaching staff's perspective.
A one-game role on the bench
Conley remained dressed as a player but did not enter the contest. He held the rotation plan and signalled when teammates should check in, with staff helping to prepare the schedule.
An early problem arose when Derrick White picked up his second foul. Conley had to weigh the planned rotation against further foul trouble. He spoke to White, left him in temporarily and later introduced Payton Pritchard.
Fatigue, scoring streaks and effective combinations created other decisions. Conley consulted Mazzulla and found that managing substitutions required more adjustment than simply following a sheet.
The exercise supports team alignment
Entering his 20th NBA season, Conley is developing his working relationship with Mazzulla. The coach wants to use the guard's experience of different teams and approaches.
The report places the exercise alongside opportunities previously given to assistants Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay during preseason.
Conley remains interested in staying around basketball after playing, but has not chosen between possible coaching or management work. Teammates' praise for his coaching potential is an opinion rather than a hiring announcement.
The completed development is a single-game rotation assignment while he remains a player, intended to improve mutual understanding before the regular season.