Conley Continues to Impress as Minnesota's Resident Old Man

Earlier in his career, most NBA fans thought Mike Conley would be a member of the Memphis Grizzlies for his entire career. That did not end up being the case, but he still managed 12 seasons as the mainstay in Grind City.

He has since moved to the Utah Jazz, where he enjoyed a few fun years. Over the past few seasons, Conley has enjoyed his role as the starting point guard and veteran leader for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Chris Finch is Impressed with His Veteran Guard

Most people expect an older guard like Conley to come off the bench. That is not the case for Mike because he has remained one of the most reliable floor generals in the league.

He has played 56 games in the 2024-25 season, and he started all but six of them. That is impressive for a 37-year-old because the point guard position usually has the quickest players on the court.

Before the 115-95 win against the Denver Nuggets, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch spoke about why he loves having Conley on his roster.

"He's done a lot. And I think now he's focused more on himself and his game, and that's led to a better version of him," Finch said in the pre-game presser. "Rather than trying to do what the team needs, he's just kinda doing what we need him to do. We've been here before with Mike, an aggressive Mike Conley is really good for us."

Conley Deserves to be Respected for His Longevity

More often than not, younger guards dominate the NBA today. With names like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cade Cunningham, most people expect massive contributions from lead guards.

Conley has never been the player who stands out in the stat sheet, but he has been the steady floor general for almost 20 years. The Timberwolves need him as a leader because he is a reliable playmaker and an influential presence.

Younger players like Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels have benefited from Conley's leadership. In addition, rookies like Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. are the biggest beneficiaries because they see the consummate professional and leader with Conley.

His averages of 8.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game are the lowest in his career. However, Finch and the Timberwolves are pleased with Conley because he has remained the most stable guard on the roster. 

That is a testament to his longevity because he has cemented himself as one of the most underrated point guards of this generation.