SVG:Monroe-Drummond 'an ideal pairing'

[Joe Berry]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/features/tbp ... al-pairing

“I think it is an ideal pairing,” he said. “If I look at just the film I’ve watched now and looking at the numbers, you would say that Greg and Andre together were great offensively. That was a great combination on the offensive end of the floor, especially when the three guys around them were shooters – more conventional perimeter types. That worked very, very well. Now, it didn’t work very well defensively. I think it puts a lot of responsibility on Greg Monroe to have to guard out on the perimeter.

“But I think there are things we can do in terms of schemes and things that would make it a little easier on Greg to make that unit better defensively and then take advantage of the offensive end of the floor.

In talking about the team he hopes to build with Andre Drummond at the core of it, Van Gundy said, “It could be two big guys playing together, like with Greg Monroe. We’ve got another very, very talented young big guy who’s a restricted free agent but who we would love to get back here. There are so few good big guys in the league – even fewer under the age of 25 – and we’ve got two of them.”

“I love Greg Monroe,” he said. “I liked him before. Now, as I get into more film work and look at things, I like him even more. Highly skilled, high-character young big guy. Those are very, very hard to find. But free agency, even restricted free agency, you can’t predict exactly what’s going to go on.”

[Kilo]

SVG is wearing his coaching hat and not his President of Basketball Relations hat with these comments. Unless he's accepted the fact that Greg will get a max offer and fully intends to match, how can he say all these glowing things and then play hardball when contract negotiations begin? Usually Coach can say what he wants, but the GM would always say something more reserved like "Of course we like the player, but we play in a salary cap league and hard decisions will have to be made" or something to that effect.

(Or for that matter he's decided he's going to have to trade him and all this fluffing is about letting other teams know they'll have to pay a King's Ransom to get the 23 yr old Center)

[Clarity]

In other news the sky is blue & water is wet.

[haulerch]

What's he going to say? I can't stand Greg Monroe and I don't want him back? A. Got to talk like this if they do bring him back and B. If SVG intends on getting something of value in a S&T, he has to act like that would be the only way another team will be able to get Monroe.

[Invictus88]

What's he going to say? I can't stand Greg Monroe and I don't want him back? A. Got to talk like this if they do bring him back and B. If SVG intends on getting something of value in a S&T, he has to act like that would be the only way another team will be able to get Monroe.

Well, I will say I really haven't heard him say much of anything about Smith. So there's that.

[Q00]

Pretty much what everyone already knew - They can work great on offense, but Monroe will be a liability on defense, and while you can scheme around that to win games...ultimately to win championships you'll probably need a better defender at PF.

I suppose if we aren't going to be contending for championships for at least 2-3 years anyways, you could say what's the harm in resigning Monroe since he will be expired by the time we are ready to contend, but you also need cap room to sign other players to get to that level, and if he's taking up 14-15 mil in the meantime, that could make it tough to even get there.

If Stan thinks he can put a championship defense in place with Monroe starting at PF, more power to him, but its going to require a complete 180 from Monroe for it to happen, not just schemes. I know Stan can put poor defenders into a successful team defense, but those poor defenders made the commitment necessary on that end too. I question if Monroe is capable of doing that based on what I've seen from him over 4 years, and if not I don't think the problems he will cause on that end are worth whatever advantage he provides on offense.

Regardless, I think this is all lip service from the Pistons. For all we know, all the talk about how he can be fixed on defense is just their sales pitch to other teams, who have concerns about trading for him because of his defense. I'm not saying they won't end up resigning him anyways, but I'm going to wait and see before buying into anything coming from the team/local media right now. To me, this month leading up to Monroe's FA is no different than the month leading up to the draft, when teams put out smokescreens and misinformation everywhere, all as part of the process.

[tetris]

But we need a stretch four to compliment Drummond's nonexistent post moves.

[need4detroit]

But we need a stretch four to compliment Drummond's nonexistent post moves.

Did you watch the last 10 games of the season?

[Invictus88]

Pretty much what everyone already knew - They can work great on offense, but Monroe will be a liability on defense, and while you can scheme around that to win games...ultimately to win championships you'll probably need a better defender at PF.

I suppose if we aren't going to be contending for championships for at least 2-3 years anyways, you could say what's the harm in resigning Monroe since he will be expired by the time we are ready to contend, but you also need cap room to sign other players to get to that level, and if he's taking up 14-15 mil in the meantime, that could make it tough to even get there.

If Stan thinks he can put a championship defense in place with Monroe starting at PF, more power to him, but its going to require a complete 180 from Monroe for it to happen, not just schemes. I know Stan can put poor defenders into a successful team defense, but those poor defenders made the commitment necessary on that end too. I question if Monroe is capable of doing that based on what I've seen from him over 4 years, and if not I don't think the problems he will cause on that end are worth whatever advantage he provides on offense.

Regardless, I think this is all lip service from the Pistons. For all we know, all the talk about how he can be fixed on defense is just their sales pitch to other teams, who have concerns about trading for him because of his defense. I'm not saying they won't end up resigning him anyways, but I'm going to wait and see before buying into anything coming from the team/local media right now. To me, this month leading up to Monroe's FA is no different than the month leading up to the draft, when teams put out smokescreens and misinformation everywhere, all as part of the process.

How good is Tiago Splitter on defense? Matt Bonner? Maybe Boris Diaw? It may sound like this is out of left field but that's basically the options San Antonio has for pairing with Tim Duncan at the 4 and 5 spots.

Now granted, Tim Duncan is a multiple-time all-defensive PF but A) he's not extraordinarily quick and B) I think that with the right coaching Drummond has the athletic ability to be a better defender.

So where am I going with this? I think if Drummond gets better defensively (which we've seen *flashes* of) then having a tandem of Drummond and Monroe defensively doesn't seem too bad in relation to San Antonio's options.

Now I'm picking San Antonio as an example where defensive scheme (and better wing defenders) create a championship-level defense. Do I expect that the Pistons will achieve something like that in a short time period? Heck No. But will I make the statement that having someone like Greg Monroe on our team will prevent us from winning a championship? Absolutely not.

[kurtis48239]

Pretty much what everyone already knew - They can work great on offense, but Monroe will be a liability on defense, and while you can scheme around that to win games...ultimately to win championships you'll probably need a better defender at PF.

I suppose if we aren't going to be contending for championships for at least 2-3 years anyways, you could say what's the harm in resigning Monroe since he will be expired by the time we are ready to contend, but you also need cap room to sign other players to get to that level, and if he's taking up 14-15 mil in the meantime, that could make it tough to even get there.

If Stan thinks he can put a championship defense in place with Monroe starting at PF, more power to him, but its going to require a complete 180 from Monroe for it to happen, not just schemes. I know Stan can put poor defenders into a successful team defense, but those poor defenders made the commitment necessary on that end too. I question if Monroe is capable of doing that based on what I've seen from him over 4 years, and if not I don't think the problems he will cause on that end are worth whatever advantage he provides on offense.

Regardless, I think this is all lip service from the Pistons. For all we know, all the talk about how he can be fixed on defense is just their sales pitch to other teams, who have concerns about trading for him because of his defense. I'm not saying they won't end up resigning him anyways, but I'm going to wait and see before buying into anything coming from the team/local media right now. To me, this month leading up to Monroe's FA is no different than the month leading up to the draft, when teams put out smokescreens and misinformation everywhere, all as part of the process.

I think he trys the pair again in hopes maybe that he can get monroe to step up his game and where to be at on defense and pick and rolls,I think he thinks he should be able to get more out of him than the other lack luster coaches we:ve had.Who knows,he might be able to and if so great,I would warm back up on moose real quick.But if it isnt going right and monroe is still not getting it,I could definitly see him going for josh for his hustle and defense,especialy if we make the playoffs and he wants that veteran experience.Time will tell.

At this point iam more interested in how he will run FA and what players he goes after/brings in.

Another thing I want to add,if he does get ewing to come here as assistant/big man coach,that would be the best chance monroe will get and their wont be any other excuses,Monroe reminds me of ewing in his late 20s early 30s athletic wise.

I just hope monroe dosent turn into that guy who thinks he should be the #1 guy and takes offense at being number 2 and drags ass,which by the way is another thing they need to brake him of.

[dan2314]

First thought was how much I love hearing this because i really want to keep him. However the more i think about it, it doesn't make a lot of sense for him to be putting these type of comments out about a free agent. It loses a lot of bargaining power for your self if you're trying to retain him for as cheap as possible, and also creates interest in other teams as well which drives up the price.
The only logical reason(s) he would do this is if:
1. He fully intends to match any offer sheet.
2. He thinks that providing glowing comments about him publically, might make moose really want to play for him, even if there are better offers out there. Doesn't seem like the best way to do it, but it could work.
3. He is trying to bump up his trade value, as he intends to roll with Smith/Drummond.

I really hope he means it, and is just still learning the difference between being a coach and the business side as a GM, but this makes me a little nervous at the same time.

[paQo the BAWSER]

How good is Tiago Splitter on defense? Matt Bonner? Maybe Boris Diaw?

The only who isn't a good defender of them is Bonner.

[ComboGuardCity]

"How can I spin this against Monroe?"

[haulerch]

What's he going to say? I can't stand Greg Monroe and I don't want him back? A. Got to talk like this if they do bring him back and B. If SVG intends on getting something of value in a S&T, he has to act like that would be the only way another team will be able to get Monroe.

Well, I will say I really haven't heard him say much of anything about Smith. So there's that.

Smith is also under contract for 3 years.. Monroe is a restricted free agent.

[Q00]

How good is Tiago Splitter on defense? Matt Bonner? Maybe Boris Diaw?

The only who isn't a good defender of them is Bonner.

Agreed. Splitter and Diaw are both good defenders and Bonner is only in there for 3 pt shooting, and is only used situationally because of his defensive issues. We can't resign Monroe for max money and then only use him situationally.

[Q00]

How good is Tiago Splitter on defense? Matt Bonner? Maybe Boris Diaw?

The only who isn't a good defender of them is Bonner.

Agreed. Splitter and Diaw are both good defenders and Bonner is only in there for 3 pt shooting, and is only used situationally because of his defensive issues. We can't resign Monroe for max money and then only use him situationally.

It should also be noted that neither Spurs nor any team has ever won a championship with any of those players starting at PF. So maybe not the best example to prove why we could win one with Monroe, despite his poor defense. And again, those guys at least buy into the system and give max effort on defense, which is something Monroe has never demonstrated.

[Q00]

But we need a stretch four to compliment Drummond's nonexistent post moves.

Did you watch the last 10 games of the season?

I agree. Not only did he show major improvement the last 10 games, but the idea that a stretch 4 is only advantageous to a team with a low post Center is ridiculous. He must not have watched the 2004 team, where we had a stretch 4 complimenting a defensive center with no offensive moves at all. Or Orlando with Dwight, who didn't have much more of a post game at that age than Drummond does now.

Stretch 4's can compliment more than just low post Centers. It can also spread the court and make pick/rolls easier if you have a great pick/roll Center, which Drummond certainly is.

[paQo the BAWSER]

I'm not against Monroe or Smith, but all the good teams (look at the PO) in the league have an PF who can shoot. If we re-sign Monroe I hope SVG could develop his midrange shot, seems difficult with Smith but, who knows... Anyway, Drummond is awful right now on defense, that's the main reason why I prefer Smith over Monroe, and he's as good or even better passer in the post than Monroe, but he's a no-brain player and Monroe is a smart player. Anyway Monroe is a lose balls machine, he can't protect the ball in the post, and he's one of the most shot-blocked players in the NBA.

I'm still thinking Ryan Anderson could be an amazing fit for Drummond, and if you love Monroe, you can't be happier than if he goes to NO, playing next to Davis he could be a great great player.

[kurtis48239]

I'm not against Monroe or Smith, but all the good teams (look at the PO) in the league have an PF who can shoot. If we re-sign Monroe I hope SVG could develop his midrange shot, seems difficult with Smith but, who knows... Anyway, Drummond is awful right now on defense, that's the main reason why I prefer Smith over Monroe, and he's as good or even better passer in the post than Monroe, but he's a no-brain player and Monroe is a smart player. Anyway Monroe is a lose balls machine, he can't protect the ball in the post, and he's one of the most shot-blocked players in the NBA.

I'm still thinking Ryan Anderson could be an amazing fit for Drummond, and if you love Monroe, you can't be happier than if he goes to NO, playing next to Davis he could be a great great player.

Dre would look much better on D if he had a stretch 4 next to him,as of now he is having to defend 2 on 1 alot of the time.

[paQo the BAWSER]

He was awful in the 1vs1 defense, being a good defender and a defensive anchor takes so much time, at least 3-4 years, but yeah he could be better at blocks and rim-protecting as the only man in the paint.