Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards’ simple reason for Game 6 domination over Nuggets

Mike Conley is an underrated table-setter for the Timberwolves and an overall good presence to have on the court for his ability to space the floor, his unselfishness, and his composure through adversity. Conley may not wow fans anymore with his box-score stats, but real ones know that the 36-year old floor general unlocks a version of the Timberwolves that can beat any team on any given day.

The Mike Conley trade continues to pay dividends

The Timberwolves, coming off a 46-win 2021-22 season, went all-in and got Rudy Gobert. But it took a while for the Timberwolves to get going. 2023-24 was their breakout campaign as a team, but fans will point out that their turnaround began as early as February 2023, when they acquired Mike Conley from the Utah Jazz to replace D’Angelo Russell as the team’s point guard.

Conley is almost an extension of the coaching staff whenever he’s on the court. He organizes the team’s offense, gets his teammates into their spots, and he is also a stout defender himself. He is also a more natural playmaker, unlike Russell, helping make the most out of Gobert’s talents given the synergy they had built during their days with the Jazz.

Gobert, much like Anthony Edwards, also recognized Conley’s importance after the game, and he did so in quite a hilariously sentimental manner.

“Don’t ever leave me again,” Gobert requested of Conley as they made their way into the Target Center locker room.

“I won’t do that to you,” Conley responded with a cheesy smile on his face.

From Chris Long of KSTP-TV Sports, via ClutchPoints Twitter (X).

With Mike Conley in the lineup, the Timberwolves have gone 74-42 (including the playoffs and the play-in tournament). That is good for a winning percentage of 63.7 percent. Without him, they have gone 3-4. That may not be a huge sample size, but it’s clear that a healthy Conley means that the Timberwolves have a greater chance of winning. There’s no wonder that Rudy Gobert doesn’t ever want to let his beloved point guard go.

Anthony Edwards will be Conley’s successor as the Timberwolves’ leader

Mike Conley has endeared himself to Anthony Edwards from the moment the veteran point guard arrived in Minneapolis. Edwards even has a nickname for Conley, “Bite Bite”. This just shows how close the Timberwolves’ starting backcourt is.

That is a very good thing, as Conley’s veteran presence is rubbing off on the 22-year old two-way star out of Georgia. In fact, Edwards, despite his youth, is already rallying his teammates, urging them to remain focused on the task at hand. In Game 6, Edwards told his teammates to stay locked in and not relent an inch even though they were up by double digits for most of the game.

“This is what I was talking about the other day. We get a lead and get comfortable. Keep your foot on the gas!” Edwards said to his teammates on the bench during Game 6.

Conley is 36 years old, so his time as a high-caliber starting point guard is nearing its end. But the Timberwolves can rest easy knowing that they’ll have Edwards to take on the mantle of leadership for the foreseeable future.

And part of being a leader is knowing that the job is not yet finished. The Timberwolves still have a Game 7 to win, and on the road no less, but Edwards is excited for the opportunity of a lifetime to dethrone the Nuggets.

“They’re the defending champs, so it’s going to be super tough,” Edwards said, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “They’re at home. They’re at the crib. Their fans are crazy. It’s going to be super loud. But I feel like as a competitor, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. … I’m super pumped for it. I’m super happy. I’m ready to play it.”