Mike Conley, the savvy floor general of the Minnesota Timberwolves, has won the chance of a lifetime. Now he’s one step away from getting to his first NBA Finals! Born on October 11, 1987, in Indianapolis, Conley has turned 37 and is determined to extend his professional basketball career. On top of that, this season, he was able to stay healthy, averaging a career-high 76 regular-season games played since the 2012-13 season. He forms that with a profound breadth of experience and a burning competitive spirit to succeed. Equal parts motivator and monk, his leadership has been key for moving the Timberwolves through the playoffs.
Conley has seen action in 15 games thus far this post-season. His deep institutional knowledge is a tremendous resource and asset to this young, hungry and energetic team. His postseason run really started in 2013. As it turned out, that year was his inaugural trip to the Western Conference Finals—his first with the Memphis Grizzlies. Though that magical year ended in heartbreak as the Grizzlies were swept out by the San Antonio Spurs. This time, Conley isn’t stopping with just a championship appearance — he’s going to get his team there.
Even this late in his career, Conley seeks to be an example to all players and play 20 years in the NBA. To do so, he has gone to extreme lengths to stay healthy and perform at a high level on the court. After having to go under the knife for season-ending surgery on his left heel in 2018, he knew it was time to make a change. He understands that his body should be his number one priority at this level of play.
“I try to extend that until after I get done with treatment and working out,” Conley stated. I do my best to enjoy a nice meal at that time. Well, apparently, I do a very good job of flushing my gut and flushing my stomach. You have to start healing from the inside-out once you turn 35. Abate the inflammation that’s giving you grief. Empower yourself to feel better and have more energy at 35, 36, and 37 years of age.
Conley’s commitment to recovery includes various routines such as daily cold tub sessions, red light therapy, pool workouts, cryotherapy, and using stem units. He finds these components key to his success. They’ve aided him in keeping a high level of production, with him still playing through a left wrist issue that’s plagued him all season.
Though basketball is one of the most important things in Conley’s life, family comes first. He has three sons: Myles, Noah, and Eli. Making family commitments work with a new, unpredictable playoff schedule can be tough. Conley recently missed his son Noah’s seventh birthday due to the Timberwolves’ playoff commitments.
He has infinitely more resources than me.” That’s the funny part,” Conley added, alluding to players’ like statement from playoff teammate LeBron James. I’ve invested a fortune into my body. My diet is a big deal. My recovery is a big deal. So I think about LeBron a lot, like, ‘Yo, I’m trying to get to do what you do.
For Conley, the love of the game is still first and foremost. He loves the fact that he gets to work every day in a highly competitive team environment where each day is a new challenge. “If you see a day where I’m not smiling and not having a good time and loving being here, tell me to retire. Tell me to go home,” he said passionately.
The Timberwolves now face one of the most formidable teams in the league for a chance to reach the NBA Finals. Conley is looking forward to this opportunity and is very confident in his team’s mindset and overall preparedness. “Just excited for the challenge in front of us,” he stated. We now have the privilege of competing against one of the best teams in league history for an opportunity to reach the NBA Finals. We have been putting our heads down, doing the work, and staying focused. So it should be a great series.
Looking back on his still-young journey, Conley said he was still a little incredulous at how fast everything has unfolded. “I was shocked, really, because I thought it was a special year,” he said about his past playoff experiences. I was kind of thinking that everything out here was going to work itself out and we were all going to be successful, you know, in the end. My first thought was, ‘How long will it take for us to get back here again? Will it be next year? Will it be another year? I don’t know. Will it be the last chance I get?’
With a resurgent playoff season energizing him, Mike Conley doesn’t just move through a run. He is an inspiration to his teammates and future stars of the game. His story is a testament to his spirit and commitment. He does whatever it takes, not just for his own advancement, but to add honor to his team.
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