Like its ranking (7th), its record (35v-34d), but also its direct opponents like the Clippers, the Mavericks or the Warriors, Minnesota is currently delivering a fairly average campaign.
Deprived of Karl-Anthony Towns for several months, the Wolves continue to grope their way, and while the integration of Rudy Gobert remains an ongoing process, it was necessary to change tack in February with the departure of D ‘Angelo Russell, replaced by Mike Conley whose profile is the opposite of that of his young predecessor.
The offensive barometer of his team
Except that the veteran leader has become the offensive barometer of his team. When he scores, Wolves win. What convince Mike Conley to be more aggressive in recent weeks. As against Atlanta with 21 points to easily beat the Hawks (136-115).
“The more I get to know the team and see what is expected of me, the more it seems obvious that I need to be more aggressive in attack by looking for more shots,” admits Mike Conley in the Star Tribune. “Whether I get it or miss the shot, I really need to be more assertive and aggressive offensively. Because it opens up other things for my teammates. I have to keep playing like this. »
The observation is obvious: in Minny’s last three victories, Mike Conley has shot just under 20 points, with an excellent 61% shooting success. Conversely, in the last three defeats of his team, the leader has disappeared from the radar with less than 9 points at a pitiful 27% success rate…
Caught between the logical desire to fit in with his new team by creating play for others and being the first to make the pass, Mike Conley followed his natural instincts as a playmaker. still the return of Karl-Anthony Towns and digest the departure of an easy trigger point guard in D’Angelo Russell, he must force his nature and shoot more. Especially at the end of the game!
>“I thought they mostly wanted the ball to move more, and I wanted to help them do that. That’s what I was doing at Utah this season too, making it easier. Now I understand better what the team needs. I just have to be as aggressive as possible because the guys feed on that and it makes the game easier for everyone. »
Assist Edwards late in the game
Against Atlanta, Mike Conley notably knew how to raise his voice with a 3-pointer or a small “floater” when the Hawks were trying to come back in the last quarter.
“Mike was hot”rejoiced Anthony Edwards. “He has to be aggressive, more aggressive every time he comes into play. [Nos adversaires] know that I’m going to be aggressive, but we need more people. »
Facing the Lakers with a decisive long shot or Sacramento to seal the victory on throws, he does not hesitate to take his chance in hot moments. Quite the contrary!
“In this team, we expect Ant to have the ball in his hands at the end of the game. But sometimes you also need other guys leading and initiating the attack. To not put too much pressure on him. I can do it “, concludes Mike Conley. “I have to take these opportunities and be aggressive. »
| Mike Conley | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2007-08 | SAME | 53 | 26 | 42.8 | 33.0 | 73.2 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 9.4 |
| 2008-09 | SAME | 82 | 31 | 44.2 | 40.6 | 81.7 | 0.3 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 10.9 |
| 2009-10 | SAME | 80 | 32 | 44.5 | 38.7 | 74.3 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 5.3 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 12.0 |
| 2010-11 | SAME | 81 | 36 | 44.4 | 36.9 | 73.3 | 0.4 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 13.7 |
| 2011-12 | SAME | 62 | 35 | 43.3 | 37.7 | 86.1 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 6.5 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 12.7 |
| 2012-13 | SAME | 80 | 35 | 44.0 | 36.2 | 83.0 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 6.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 14.6 |
| 2013-14 | SAME | 73 | 34 | 45.0 | 36.1 | 81.5 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 6.0 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 17.2 |
| 2014-15 | SAME | 70 | 32 | 44.6 | 38.6 | 85.9 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 5.4 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 15.8 |
| 2015-16 | SAME | 56 | 31 | 42.2 | 36.3 | 83.4 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 6.1 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 15.3 |
| 2016-17 | SAME | 69 | 33 | 46.0 | 40.8 | 85.9 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 20.5 |
| 2017-18 | SAME | 12 | 31 | 38.1 | 31.2 | 80.3 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 4.1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 17.1 |
| 2018-19 | SAME | 70 | 34 | 43.8 | 36.4 | 84.5 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 6.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 21.1 |
| 2019-20 | UTH | 47 | 29 | 40.9 | 37.5 | 82.7 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 4.4 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 14.4 |
| 2020-21 | UTH | 51 | 29 | 44.4 | 41.2 | 85.2 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 6.0 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 16.2 |
| 2021-22 | UTH | 72 | 29 | 43.5 | 40.8 | 79.6 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 5.4 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 13.7 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 54 | 30 | 41.1 | 36.5 | 81.9 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 7.2 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 10.9 |
| 2022-23 * | UTH | 43 | 30 | 40.8 | 36.2 | 81.3 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 7.7 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 10.7 |
| 2022-23 * | MIN | 11 | 31 | 42.3 | 37.9 | 85.0 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 5.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 11.6 |
| Total | 1012 | 32 | 43.8 | 38.1 | 82.0 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 5.7 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 14.6 | |
