The Minnesota Timberwolves were looking for a change when they traded for Mike Conley. Things were not progressing as planned with D’Angelo Russell. Rudy Gobert had difficulty making an offensive impact, and the Wolves needed to find a steady veteran to orchestrate the offense. The Timberwolves found everything they needed in Conley. However, the 18-year pro added another benefit.
Conley is having one of his best three-point shooting stints in his career.
He has always been an above-average shooter, shooting 37.5% on 3.7 attempts per game in his 12 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. Conley also made 39.4% on 7.1 attempts per game with the Utah Jazz. In his 60 games with the Timberwolves, Conely is shooting 44% from three on 5.4 attempts per game. That’s a small sample size compared to his time in Memphis and Utah, but he’s made an impact in Minnesota. In his 36 games this season, Conley is shooting an absurd 45.5% from three. He ranks sixth in the league among qualified players.
The Wolves need Conley’s three-point shooting because they rank 24th in the league in three-point volume, attempting 31.8 threes a night. Mike has helped the Wolves become the league’s fifth-ranked three-point shooting team at 38%. Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and Naz Reid have also helped the team’s numbers stay top of the league. Still, Conley’s ability to shoot from the lead guard position on and off the ball has dramatically impacted the offense. He can also spot up across the arc, meaning he possesses no true weakness.
Below is how Conley has shot the ball from three on catch-and-shoot attempts, off the dribble, above the break, and on corner shots through his Minnesota tenure thus far compared to his time in Utah. (Tracking stats are not available for his entire Memphis career, and his Utah stint is more comparable to the player he is currently.)
Minnesota 23/24 | 36 GP
- 43/92 (46.7%) Catch and Shoot
- 39/89 (43.8%) Pull Ups
- 29/49 (59.2%) Corner
- 56/138 (40.6%) Above The Break
Minnesota Career | 60 GP
- 73/157 (46.5%) Catch and Shoot
- 62/155 (40%) Pull Ups
- 43/76 (56.6%) Corner
- 99/247 (40%) Above The Break
Utah Career | 213 GP
- 157/380 (41.3%%) Catch and Shoot
- 245/620 (39.6%) Pull Ups
- 102/227 (44.9%) Corners
- 378/982 (38.5%) Above The Break
Conley’s shooting consistency has allowed the Wolves to fully rely upon Conley to help them out on nights when others may not have their shot falling. Conley will not always carry the load; he only takes shots that are open or at the end of the shot clock. Still, he’s always going to keep a consistent volume from downtown. That consistency should play into Minnesota’s favor as a controlled variable in the offense, and it’s one of the main reasons they sought him out at last year’s deadline.
Gobert and their past connection in Utah is the other reason they brought Conley in, and Gobert has also played into Conley’s three-point success. Conely and Rudy have found many open three-point looks using ball screens and dribble hand-offs. They’ve taken advantage of the ball defender going under the screen. When the defender goes over the screen, Conley can look for this floater or Rudy for a lob. Conley’s option to hit a floater or pass to Gobert puts the defense in conflict, forcing them to think about how they want to cover these actions. If they sell out too much on Rudy’s roll, Conley will make them pay. It is effortless between these two.
Gobert and Conley can operate their simple two-man game within the flow of the half-court offense. It can also come as a second side action later in the clock after someone like Ant of KAT operates on the opposite end of the court.
Conley has been the catalyst that has held Minnesota’s offense together. The Wolves have All-NBA talents in KAT and Ant to bring the scoring punch. But having someone to direct traffic, limit the pressure sent their way, and simultaneously offer a shooting threat around them is invaluable for this Wolves team.
If Conley can continue this hot shooting streak, he will not only continue to benefit the team but also put himself into the franchise’s record books. His 44% three-point shooting mark would make him third all-time, only behind Fred Hoiberg’s 48.3% shooting in the 2003-04 season and Wally Szczerbiak‘s 45.6% shooting in 2001-02.
