When the Minnesota Timberwolves traded for Mike Conley just over two calendar years ago, they did it with the intention of bringing in a veteran floor general with expert-level feel for the game and an ability to organize the Wolves on offense. For quite some time, Tim Connelly's plan worked to perfection. Conley had already-established chemistry with Rudy Gobert from his time in Utah that allowed him to really open up the big man's game.
The performance of Conley played a big part in Minnesota having as successful a year as they did last season. Mike was steady as an off-ball scorer and was knocking down any catch-and-shoot three-pointer you threw his way. But the problem is, while his veteran leadership has remained, Conley's scoring power has diminished greatly this season.
He has not been able to be the same kind of clutch performer that he was just a season ago. While a stark change like this may seem to be a surprise, we have to remember his age. Mike turned 37 years old just before the start of the current season, and it is really rather amazing that he was playing at such a high level not 12 months ago. A downturn like the one he is experiencing is disappointing, but it is probably far from surprising in the grand scheme of things.
Conley is shooting 2/14 in clutch time this season
The number that really puts in perspective his struggles is the 2-for-14 shooting mark Conley has registered in clutch time this season (along with 1-for-9 from three). To someone who does not follow this team super closely, this would seem to be an obvious sign that Chris Finch would bench him in favor of someone else.
But Wolves fans know that Finch still believes in Conley as an organizer of the offense, even if he himself is not the one shooting the ball. There are certainly intangibles that Mike brings to the floor that others do not have, so in that way it is hard to say Finch is totally delusional for playing Conley in the clutch.
At the same time, Mike's scoring has been so bad in those situations that it creates a sort of impossible situation for Minnesota. Finch seems to think his team's offense will become a bit disjointed without Conley out there, but it is also not necessarily thriving with him running the show either. Other guys have gotten opportunities, but the experience of Mike has often taken precedence. Only time will tell what the true answer here is.