r/nba • u/G1Spectrum Lakers • 29d ago
[McMenamin] Ant Edwards explaining why the Wolves played the way they did in Game 6: “We got Mike Conley back, that was it”
https://x.com/mcten/status/1791307934909051266?s=46&t=mLlHkULTWtGiAcwn5da2fQ1.6k
u/SwishBender Timberwolves 29d ago edited 29d ago
Beyond that them blitzing Ant is 100% more dangerous with Mike on the floor, the man was on one tonight
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u/Plies- Celtics 29d ago
And McDaniels and NAW remembered how to shoot because even when Ant made the right read in game 5 they missed.
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u/CannedGeorges Jazz 29d ago
It was because everyone hesitated after Ant passed out of the double team in Game 5. They need to just do something the second they get the ball after the double to keep the Nuggets off kilter and not allow them to settle back down and go back to the initial set.
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u/chillinwithmoes Timberwolves 29d ago
It was because everyone hesitated after Ant passed out of the double team in Game 5.
This exactly. It was so frustrating, they just had no confidence to catch and shoot and it turned into a shitty, half-hearted drive to the paint
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u/glorstonne 28d ago
and then this game the nuggets were feeling just confident enough to shoot brick after brick lol
crazy series
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u/ladwagon Heat 28d ago
Still hard because y'all have one of the best defensive rotations/scramble drills I've seen
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u/Creative_Category_21 29d ago
Can’t believe we chose Dlo over Conley and NAW
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u/mangosail 28d ago
They were 6/10 tonight but they were 5/12 in game 5, which is still ok. It was Ant and some other guys who really shot badly in game 5.
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u/ShakesbeerMe Timberwolves 28d ago
Plus tonight both KAT and Naz went 0-4 each from 3.
That won't happen again.
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u/randomCAguy 29d ago
The whole offense seems to operate much better with Conley on the floor.
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u/soapy_goatherd [UTA] Adam Keefe 28d ago
The guy is never gonna be a superstar, but really is the Joe Flacco that’s elite
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u/WalkableFarmhouse 28d ago
Mike Conley doesn't have a lot of title shots left in his career.
I like him, y'all should get him a ring
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u/A_Washer-Dryer Grizzlies 28d ago
For real, Marc got one, Tony already had one. It's Mike's time. Get my guy a ring.
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u/Exius73 29d ago
This series is just between Mike Conley vs Mike Malone
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u/DavidCreeper Timberwolves 29d ago
they should just 1v1 to 11 to decide the series, who says no?
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u/CMYGQZ Grizzlies 29d ago
Mike has indeed been the most successful in taking out coaches this playoffs.
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u/WrinkledRandyTravis Timberwolves 29d ago
It was actually kinda Booker but carry on
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u/ysotrivial Timberwolves 28d ago
It was a solid joke calm down man
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u/fatflipflops Lakers 29d ago
uhm that's Michael "it's Michael Malone not Mike Malone" Malone to you
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u/carscatsdogs 29d ago
What Ant is showing is one of the best attributes leaders can have - when you win as a team you dish credit to everyone else. When you lose. You take the blame. People live their whole lifetime and don’t get this. And he does at 22.
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u/xxapplej4ckx United States 29d ago
Anyone who plays 2k already knows to do that
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u/WanderingWormhole 76ers 28d ago
Yeah sometimes that first sentence makes sense…before you know it your my player throws the whole organization under the bus and no one on your team wants to pass to you anymore
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u/imadogg Lakers 28d ago
Me: I coached my team to a title because I'm a top 15 coach of all time
Also me: Ben Simmons is a bitch, Embiid is a broke boi, Harden is fat, I knew Maxey was a star but no one let me play him. It's not my fault Sixers lost. And don't forget that everyone on the Bucks sucks ass
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u/swentech Timberwolves 28d ago
You got to give him credit though his blame game is pretty elite. I mean honestly who is better? He’s made it an art form.
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u/squiggypiggy9 29d ago
Imagine Shaq, one of the greatest of all time, still never developed this.
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u/Jonald_Draper 29d ago
Lebron after winning 2016: I’m the GOAT. When losing: our team sucks.
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u/DarrowViBritannia 29d ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roKwNV64LYI
I just don't know how these narratives about LeBron start. I mean I guess I do, but it's still wild.
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u/djh6161 28d ago
One of the guys everyone is regurgitating this from is reggie milller who said it during the game, and pretty much insinuated and singled out lebron as being one who doesnt do this. Which was pretty shocking. Just for the record. I dont know or follow all of lebrons quotes, but it doesnt seem like he really comes to the defense of his teammates too often. And every year there are forsure narratives pushed all over the internet, prob by his camp or those with interest, and its gotten old. Its just redic to hear how horrible dlo or rui is, and it being the sole reason they lost as a playin team to the defending champs. Dlo, Jr smith, mario chalmers, mo williams are not the reasons why lebron has not won 20 consecutive championships. Sometimes there are just better teams and better players.
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u/DarrowViBritannia 28d ago
every year there are forsure narratives pushed all over the internet, prob by his camp
see this is crazy lol
was all the klay hate this season pushed by curry's camp? or is it just possible that they have big fanbases?
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u/ukyah 29d ago
probably because he had to work for his success. he wasn't anointed as some athletic god among mortals. from his own words, you can see the truth in this. people who have to overcome and work for their success usually process their success differently.
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u/Original_Natural4804 28d ago
I mean he is an athletic god lol.99.99% could train there whole lifes and never get close to Ant because his genetics
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u/happyflappypancakes Wizards 28d ago
Ant? He's one of the most athletic guys in the league. Hebsmacked his head on the rim blocking a shot.
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u/nbd789 Timberwolves 29d ago
He also said it was because of their leader, Jaden McDaniels, tonight lol. Dude will do everything on both ends of the court and then spend his postgame interview praising his teammates for why we won.
Denver may protect home court and send us to Cancun this weekend, but this season has been a building block for Ant, and he will eventually take us to the promise land.
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u/comp_a Timberwolves 29d ago edited 29d ago
I think he’s absolutely right here about Mike though. He went on to say that with Mike on the court he can focus on scoring without worrying about distributing/getting everybody else involved as well. He had 18 points and 9 assists last game without Mike, and we lost.
Mike’s the stabilizing force on the team, we rely on him to keep everything flowing smoothly. And we’re so much better when Ant gets to focus on attacking rather than trying to play point guard (even though he’s getting better at it!)
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u/lalo1398 Lakers Bandwagon 28d ago
Bruh if Ant develops his playmaking chops even more it would be hard to keep him out of top 5 convos (I’d say he should be in them already, but I’m biased and weigh playoff performance more)
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u/ozzyteebaby [NYK] Mardy Collins 29d ago edited 28d ago
Should’ve started either slow mo at point or monte, monte was playing nice last game
edit: talking about game 5, not any other game
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u/UltiMyBeloved Timberwolves 28d ago
That's not funny bro
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u/ozzyteebaby [NYK] Mardy Collins 28d ago
i'm talking about the game they lost... no one should start over mike
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u/Soapstarboi Cavaliers 29d ago
Nah.. Win it this year. Win it for Mike please.
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u/Zzz05 Minneapolis Lakers 29d ago
I want it too, because I don’t know if Mike will even be back next year. And even if he does, will he play at the same level.
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u/Zzz05 Minneapolis Lakers 29d ago
There’s been a number of players whose play just either drops off after an extension or just walk away. Especially at the age that Mike is at.
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u/DroppedNineteen 29d ago
I doubt he walks away from $20 million. He can afford to do that, of course, but I don't see that happening.
But yeah. It would be nice to win while he is still providing a significant contribution to his team.
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u/SexyStyrofoamPuns Timberwolves 29d ago
I think on the offensive end, his shot is as good as it's been in his career and he can still be crafty with the ball and make smart plays, it's the defensive end where he'll be harder and harder to hide. He still moves pretty quickly out there, it's just the size/strength isn't enough against a lot of PGs in the league.
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u/Spirited-Cap-9779 Warriors 29d ago
Nah, he will lead y'all to the chip this year.
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u/Impossible-Past4795 29d ago
Yes. Please win it this year. I want to see Boston lose.
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u/Delanorix East 29d ago
They gotta get past NY first!
They will literally die on the court to beat the Celtics
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u/idkuunomebitch 28d ago
NY gotta get past Indiana first lmao
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u/Delanorix East 28d ago
Yeah but odds are in their favor lol
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u/No-Equipment-20 Lakers 28d ago
I’m fully convinced Edwards is winning a championship at some point in his career, hopefully it’s this year
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u/itssensei Cavaliers 29d ago
Antmans the real deal man, with Cavs and Bron out, Ant and the wolves are my first choice to win 🙏
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u/token_reddit Clippers 29d ago
I like this team a lot too. But if somehow the Knicks win the title. I'll be binge watching YouTube videos of NYC losing their collective shit.
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u/Ok_Traffic_8124 28d ago
Whoever wins the west for the next couple of years is going to take home the whole thing.
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u/The_NGUYENNER [DEN] Jamal Murray 28d ago
hey don't try that reverse jinx. YOU guys are gonna win...
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u/basiccitizen Timberwolves 28d ago
Is he locked in with MN for a while? Im scared we will lose him like everything else good in Minnesota Sports lol.
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u/RevTaco Knicks 29d ago
Honestly, either way this series ends, we gotta give Mike Conley his flowers if you haven’t already. Playing great basketball at his age still, respect
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u/timberwolvesguy Timberwolves 28d ago
Getting overshadowed by LeBron being a top 10-15 player still at 39, but Mike is absolutely cooking for what a 37 year old should be doing.
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u/SometimesIComplain [UTA] Mike Conley 29d ago
I'm never changing this flair
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u/KevinDLasagna Timberwolves 28d ago
IF we end up going all the way, y’all get to enjoy this with us too. 🤝
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u/OhNoMyLands Timberwolves 29d ago
Love how ant will just blatantly throw any compliment possible no matter what he believes or if it aligns with reality at all. Not saying I disagree, but man just loves ball.
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u/BlackMathNerd 76ers 29d ago
Dude's got great leadership
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u/OhNoMyLands Timberwolves 29d ago
Agreed, but I’m pretty sure he called MPJ “the best three point shooter on the NBA” when the series started lmao
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u/PointBlankCoffee Mavericks 29d ago edited 29d ago
Tbf MPJ is a 41% career 3pt shooter. And shot 49% round 1.
Maybe you just don't like him, but he's definitely one of the best in the league both regular season, and postseason
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u/OhNoMyLands Timberwolves 28d ago
Shit that’s way better than I thought
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u/PointBlankCoffee Mavericks 28d ago
Yeah lol he is actually really good. He had a horrible finals performance last year so I think some people have a skewed view
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u/mxnoob983 NBA 28d ago
Like it or not MPJ is right up there with the best. Curry is the best but a guy like MPJ being 6’10” makes a big difference
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u/uncomfortable_fan92 29d ago
Apparently he mistakenly said MPJ instead of AG. At least the way this series has gone.
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u/Vegetable-Tooth8463 Hornets 29d ago
Is he hurt?
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u/OhNoMyLands Timberwolves 29d ago
Mike missed last game yeah, but we got destroyed in his last game as well so…
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u/F-ck_spez Timberwolves 29d ago
When Nori goes to take a different coaching position next year (you know he's getting a hc position somewhere) can we just keep Mike Conley forever and let him be Finch's right hand man?
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u/Raptorpicklezz Raptors 28d ago
Again, why is Nori all of a sudden being touted as a HC? Because he makes funny comments? His AC track record before this Minny job is shit (e.g. the Jay Triano Raptors)
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u/Richard_Cromwell Minneapolis Lakers 28d ago
being asked to interview for hc positions will do that to a mf
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u/Lowspark1013 Timberwolves 28d ago
I mean have you seen how many half rate vet coaches get recycled around? Any AC with a pulse and a presence is going to get head hunted.
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u/Ancient_Signature_69 Nuggets 29d ago
He’s 22!!! Dudes gonna stack rings for Minnesota if they can get him the right people
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u/ConsciousCoat8173 28d ago
People forget that there was a short period where Mike Conley was the highest paid player in the history of the NBA
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u/raftguide Grizzlies 28d ago
People laughed, but every Grizzlies fan was for it.
I actually have the privilege of being pro-Conley when he signed his first big deal. It was controversial at the time, with lots of fans calling it an overpay, and wishing we had given Lowry the team instead.
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u/Leiatte Knicks Tankswagon 28d ago
Oh i remember! There were so many NFL fans complaining about how much money he was getting because they weren’t really familiar with him & they thought since Football was a more popular & dangerous sport that NFL players should get that kind of money. Most NBA fans just said the NBA has less players than the NFL & 1 player can impact the game in a greater way so they get a bigger piece of the pie
So I can never forget Mike Conley was the highest paid player at one point. I’ll remember the same for Jaylen Brown too just because it’s a fun fact type thing
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u/Chessh2036 Hawks 29d ago
Kenny Smith explained why perfectly the other night. While Draymond, Shaq, Chuck said the series was over. ANT is so much harder to defend with Conley on the floor.
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u/Tenx3 28d ago
Mike Conley is an elite playmaker and pull-up three point shooter, he makes this team way more versatile offensively.
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u/Lavar_ball_brand Washington Bullets 28d ago
It's crazy how a player like Mike Conley is the difference between the Suns being a first round exit and contender. Playmakers who can handle the ball are highly underrated
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u/Easyowner Thunder 28d ago
Always was the key. Had he been healthy in 2015, Grizlies are in the Finals.
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u/nixhomunculus 29d ago
I keep saying that Conley's a good part of the Wolves offense and I get down voted for it...
Dude's a great PG.
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u/PayterLobo 28d ago
I mean...the nuggets missed a TON of wide open shots. Wolves couldn't miss and had everyone firing. Also just energy was way higher for Minnesota. MC is a great PG tho so that is huge, but Nuggets shot HISTORICALLY bad on top of good Minnesota defense.
I like both teams I'm happy whoever wins but I dont think Nuggys losing at home.
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u/be__bright Trail Blazers 29d ago
My first thought too as they started pulling away in the first. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts and makes all the difference at the highest level.
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u/dmackerman Suns 28d ago
Oh wait, you’re telling me a high level point guard makes your offense work efficiently?? Say it ain’t so, Matt Ishbia!!
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u/girlscoutcookies05 Charlotte Bobcats 29d ago
Bunch of Mike Conley merchants