The Minnesota Timberwolves have struggled in transition play recently. Last season, the Wolves ranked last in transition frequency and 29th in transition points. The year before that, Minnesota ranked 29th in transition frequency and 25th in transition points. However, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and many of the Wolves' young players, especially Terrence Shannon Jr., thrive in transition.
Ahead of the season, Chris Finch and the squad are focused on addressing this problem. One remedy that has been discussed is that when Rudy Gobert gets the rebound, Mike Conley will be the guy to get the ball, and the Wolves will start running in transition from there. During a training camp availability, Conley spoke about his role in transition.
"If you get our most athletic guys running the floor, you get Julius, Ant, Jaden, Rudy, whoever, and me just trying to be the quarterback. I like to throw it ahead, I like to push the tempo and get guys involved." Conely said when discussing his role in the Timberwolves' improving in transition and pace.
This strategy makes a lot of sense. Conley is the Wolves' most trusted passer and experienced player. As guys like Edwards and McDaniels are running down the court, Conley can make long passes to set up easy buckets.
Regardless of age Conley's passing abilities will help the Wolves
Conley, who turns 38 on October 11, is aging and has declined as a scorer. He typically slows down the pace and won't thrive as a scorer in transition. Nevertheless, the veteran point guard remains a high-level passer who can organize the offense. In transition, this means the Wolves will lean into his passing vision, and he will find some of the team's best athletes running down the court.
While Conley's main value, especially recently, has been as a half-court organizer, leaning into his passing acumen in transition would be beneficial to the Wolves. Conley ranked in the 12th percentile in transition last year; however, the year before that, he was in the 92nd percentile. Utilizing Conley's passing abilities would help him get closer to this level of effectiveness, even at his advanced age.
During media day, Conley spoke about how he needs the ball in his hands to be successful, not necessarily as a scorer but as a playmaker. The Wolves will reach their ceiling if they implement an everybody eats style of offense, and this includes in transition. Undoubtedly, Conley's abilities as a passer will be key to the Wolves' success both in the half-court and transition.