Click the pics below to see which veteran each rookie should study.
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Mike Conley
Memphis Grizzlies
Steve Nash
Phoenix Suns
Conley already has a great set of skills and is a creative finisher. And no one doubts his passing game. But what he can learn from Nash is the incredibly tough balancing act of being a pass-first guy on most nights, while jumping at the chance to score 30 points when necessary and not feeling guilty about it. Nash is a great teammate off the court, which reassures players that on heavy scoring nights, he's just taking what's being given to him and not being selfish. Conley should aspire to create a similar feeling from his teammates in Memphis.
Photo credits: (l-r) Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images, AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
David Thorpe is an NBA analyst for ESPN.com and the executive director of the Pro Training Center at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., where he oversees the player development program for NBA and college players. To e-mail him, click here.