For Anthony Edwards and the Wolves, life is better and simpler when Mike Conley is present on the floor. Hit in the calf, the playmaker was unable to play Game 5 in Denver and it was visible, with a back blocked by the Nuggets' two-man holds.
“I couldn't move or walk two days ago. But for this match, I did not hesitate”, explains the former Jazz. “I was going to find a way to play. We are much better when we are complete. The effort was collective and I'm happy that we were able to show our face, especially in the face of such adversity. »
The 36-year-old veteran had a very good game with 13 points on 5/9 shooting, 5 assists and 4 rebounds, and no lost balls in 31 minutes. And that changes everything for the Wolves confirms Anthony Edwards. “Mike Conley was simply back”, answers the All-Star from the first question asked at a press conference on Minnesota's rebound. Then he reads his teammate's stat line and adds that he ” is effective. He always makes the right choice”.
He is still waiting for a victory in a Game 7
As Rudy Gobert analyzes in our columns, the playmaker is valuable in bringing calm to the group and in relieving Edwards, who is not forced to carry the ball too much or dribble too much in attack.
“Mike, he impacts everyone. His altruism, the way he communicates on the pitch, he also makes very few mistakes in defense, he brings intensity but a certain calm at the same time. What he brings is invaluable. He has a huge influence on 'Ant' because he doesn't always have to have the ball in his hands […] He was incredible tonight. He was focused as ever. »
With three appearances (2011, 2012 and 2014), Conley also has Game 7 experience – “I haven’t won one yet” he regrets – and playing the most important matches of the season, this Game 6 and the next, with him is crucial for Minnesota.
“Mike, this is important to us,” reacts his coach Chris Finch. “His experience, his shots. He's incredible next to Anthony and he's smart in defense. It was great to have him back with us as we missed him in the last game. »
In the corridor that leads to the changing roomsRudy Gobert will even go so far as to say to him: “Don’t ever leave me alone again!” »
