Greg Monroe

[octothorp]

SVG has had some very positive things to say about Monroe's defense this year.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/spo...undy/22253271/

"He's a very good low post defender, in my opinion. And he's a smart defender. He doesn't make a lot of mistakes."
He's not a shot blocker but he's not out of position very much," Van Gundy said. "He's very attentive to game plans, you can make adjustments with him. He's smart, a very good position defender. I think he's developed that over time."
"He's not that freak athlete where he can make a mistake and recover with quickness and jumping ability," Van Gundy said of Monroe. "He's got to be in the right spot and he is. His mental approach and ability makes him a solid defender."


I'm not sold on him, but I wouldn't write him off as a complete non-fit for us.

[saints91]

Monroe would be a great addition.... if we had a SG that could shoot 3's, and a centre who felt comfortable shooting 12-15 footers. Having Jonas and Monroe with a SG who primarily tries to get to the rim would be a disaster. There would be no floor spacing. To have an inside-outside game all three wings (PG, SG, SF) have to be a threat outside. We basically need a stretch 4 when DeMar is on the court.

With or without Monroe, Jonas has to get comfortable shooting without pump faking from 10- 15 feet away from the basket.

[rocwell]

Then trade JV, problem solved

and how's that exactly?

[peanutwoozle]

great fit for us? Are you kidding me?

Greg + JV = disaster. 2way PF is what we need.

Then trade JV, problem solved

[Chr1s1anL]

Greg Monroe is a two way player.

[Chr1s1anL]

Scouting report
+ Skilled big man with good passing skills.
+ Operates best from elbows, but needs space to work.
+ Above-average defender. He's tough with limited athleticism and can struggle in space.

Analysis
Perhaps the biggest causality of the Pistons' lackluster season was the 6-foot-11 Monroe. Sharing a frontcourt with Drummond and Smith proved difficult for Monroe, to say the least, and it went a long way toward masking the things Monroe does best. Monroe is very good with the ball in his hands but was used more last season as a finisher. His assist rate fell by more than two percent, and his rebounding was down, as was his usage. It doesn't help that Monroe has lost confidence in his midrange shot, hitting just 24 percent on long 2s.

Given Monroe's discomfort, it's less than shocking he spent the summer avoiding offer sheets on the restricted free-agent market and ultimately signed the Pistons' qualifying offer. The move gives him leisure to pick his team after the season and prevents Detroit from dealing him this season without his approval. However, forgoing what would have likely been a sizable contract extension is a risk if he gets hurt and is money he probably won't be able to make up even if he doesn't. It will be interesting see how Van Gundy focuses Monroe's strengths, of which there are plenty. One is simply showing up: Monroe has missed just three games in four seasons as a pro.

[Chr1s1anL]

I think if you somehow land Monroe, JV becomes expendable. Neither guy can hit a jump shot...without pump faking 3 times...so the paint would be realy clogged up. Monroe works well with Drummond because Drummond is really more of a clean up guy and finisher while Monroe is the guy who works in the low post. Would hep with rebounding issues though.

That's what JV has excelled. JV is a rebounder and a finisher right now. He yet can create his own shot in one on one situations. Monroe been doing consistent for 4 straight years.

[distorsun]

Hmmm...
Pop Quiz : Who's gonna give him the ball ??LOL

I'm a fan of Monroe. Would like to see him here.

Yes, he's not the greatest defender, but I don't think he's incapable. He's more athletic than Jonas, which means he can be taught to defend better.

[white men can't jump]

I think part of the reason that this trend for going smaller exists is so that you have quicker and more agile guys out there though. They want to push the ball every chance they get. It's happening league wide almost so there has to be something to it.

Well the PF position is changing a lot to one about floor spacing. It's getting harder to play two conventional bigs, but it's not impossible and certainly being done in some places around the league. Especially with the way the rules are now, it's hard having more than one inside player if you want to have good spacing. Ideally you want a big enough PF out there who can still do some of the big-man duties, but also spread the floor.

You can get lots of hole-ridden lineups using wings or guys who struggle on the interior (like Pat), and you really have to excel in the small-ball scenarios to make up for that.

[white men can't jump]

great fit for us? Are you kidding me?

Greg + JV = disaster. 2way PF is what we need.

I've personally had my fill of offensive players with defensive deficiencies on this team. 2 way or D first players are desperately needed.

This would be my preference too...probably everybody's actually.

[Mediumcore]

Offensive quickness is much much different from the type of athleticism you need defensively. Al Jefferson is one of the least quick/agile players in the league...except offensively. Partly because offensive moves can easily be rehearsed and repeated until they're smoother and quicker. Jonas' moves will likely get a bit quicker as he gets more experience.

But that doesn't mean crap in other situations. Monroe is just not very athletic or quick. He's a poor defender, who because of his "meh" athleticism at PF, and poor interior/rim protecting D, hasn't found a defensive niche yet.

That said, it's not like Randolph and Gasol are athletic/quick players. They just have great perimeter defenders and a system that plays to their strengths.

I think part of the reason that this trend for going smaller exists is so that you have quicker and more agile guys out there though. They want to push the ball every chance they get. It's happening league wide almost so there has to be something to it.

[Mediumcore]

I think if you somehow land Monroe, JV becomes expendable. Neither guy can hit a jump shot...without pump faking 3 times...so the paint would be realy clogged up. Monroe works well with Drummond because Drummond is really more of a clean up guy and finisher while Monroe is the guy who works in the low post. Would hep with rebounding issues though.

[white men can't jump]

I don't wanna turn this into a Jonas vs. Monroe debate. They're 2 very different players. But can you look at this video and picture Jonas being quick/agile enough to pull off any of these moves?

Offensive quickness is much much different from the type of athleticism you need defensively. Al Jefferson is one of the least quick/agile players in the league...except offensively. Partly because offensive moves can easily be rehearsed and repeated until they're smoother and quicker. Jonas' moves will likely get a bit quicker as he gets more experience.

But that doesn't mean crap in other situations. Monroe is just not very athletic or quick. He's a poor defender, who because of his "meh" athleticism at PF, and poor interior/rim protecting D, hasn't found a defensive niche yet.

That said, it's not like Randolph and Gasol are athletic/quick players. They just have great perimeter defenders and a system that plays to their strengths.

[Axel]

I know he's not the greatest defender. But nobody on this roster is. I just think his offensive game would outweigh his defensive deficiencies.

I've personally had my fill of offensive players with defensive deficiencies on this team. 2 way or D first players are desperately needed.

[rocwell]

great fit for us? Are you kidding me?

Greg + JV = disaster. 2way PF is what we need.