In a conversation last month with Timberwolves President Tim Connelly, the subject of point guard Mike Conley Jr. came up.
Conley was already establishing himself as something close to the perfect point guard for the Wolves: Someone who could unify, a player who could calm things down, a guy who didn't need a high volume of shots but could score when needed and a sorely needed veteran presence.
The Wolves were 15-4 at the time, and Connelly said this about his point guard: "I can't imagine our team without him."
We could see why on Monday, and it didn't require the use of imagination.