One of the biggest shifts in the Minnesota Timberwolves' approach this season came less than a week ago, when Chris Finch opted to make a change to the starting lineup. Against the LA Clippers last Monday, Donte DiVincenzo was promoted to the first five on the floor, with Mike Conley going to the bench.
Finch even went to Conley before making the move, to be sure his veteran point guard would not have a problem with it. To no one's surprise, Mike was more than happy to do whatever would help the team. Since then, he has been good at embracing whatever the coaching staff has asked of him.
What has that looked like specifically? Different things each night. Finch explained after the game in Orlando and again on Saturday that one of the nicest things about starting DiVincenzo and bringing Conley off the bench is that it has allowed him to bring in Mike wherever he feels like he needs him.
"I can bring him in early, I can hold him out, I can run him longer, I can sub him for almost anybody," said Finch. "Trying to keep his minutes down and starting him and trying to get him to play with certain lineup combinations, all three of those things were not achievable at the same time. But now I feel like I can do that. And it's better for him."
Finch on where Mike Conley helped in the loss to Memphis:
— Will Eudy (@WillCEudy) January 12, 2025
“That group that played really well in the second half, he was a big part of that. He found Rudy a little bit in the pick-and-roll. He always gives you great, smart defense.” pic.twitter.com/RAPuu5rP72
Bringing Mike off bench allows Finch to put him in "wherever I need him"
Shifting to this strategy has allowed Finch to evaluate where he needs Conley's services on a more game-by-game basis. As he says, he can sub Mike in for basically anybody. I asked Finch about where he thought Conley helped against the Grizzlies after Saturday's game, despite not having a high scoring output.
"That group that played really well in the second half, he was a key part of that," Finch said. "He found Rudy a little bit in the pick-and-roll. He always gives you great, smart defense." This calls back to how evident Mike's absence was when he missed a few games earlier in the season. He has certainly not had his strongest season, but he still brings an element of leadership that is noticeable on the court.
It is safe to assume that Finch will continue figuring out where Conley fits best based on the Wolves' opponent and other factors like how well Mike is playing on a particular night. Minnesota's point guard may be showing some age, but that does not mean he will stop being an effective part of the rotation.