Mike Conley's Leadership Deserves More Respect

Conley is well-known for being a leader from his collegiate days with the Ohio State University and his former NBA teams in Memphis and Utah. When he moved to Minnesota, everyone knew he would be a strong veteran presence, but even coach Chris Finch has been surprised.

Around the league, many have forgotten Conley and his impact on the team. He has been superb for the Timberwolves because all the players trust him with his decisions and how he will stay calm under pressure.

Finch Appreciates Conley For His Calmness

In a league filled with big personalities, Conley is a breath of fresh air because he always remains reserved. He will be vocal when he needed, but he will mostly stay quiet even in a game's big moments.

Coach Finch always notices this because he sees the Timberwolves players celebrating often, but Conley is often quiet on the bench with some applause here and there. 

"Everybody has to celebrate everything they do. Kinda gets annoying after a while," Finch said before the game against Brooklyn. "Mike doesn't celebrate anything. He celebrates his teammates, and he celebrates winning, and that's the thing that matters most. That's probably why he's been undervalued, because he doesn't draw any attention to himself."

While that can be considered a slight shot at Anthony Edwards, Finch is probably just showing some appreciation for Conley. The veteran guard's demeanor is needed in such a young team because it shows them a reliable leader.

The Timberwolves Are In Good Hands With Conley

With such a dynamic team led by Ant Edwards and Julius Randle, the Timberwolves need a steady presence at times. That is where Conley comes in because his NBA experience has helped him dictate the game and control most possessions.

Finch knows this will be important for the Timberwolves, especially in the Playoffs. Edwards can always be the superstar player, but having a veteran like Conley there can lead to some great results for the team.