We "Don't" Want the Monk: The Malik Monk Thread

[Joest2003]

We need to make it a priority to feed him 5-10 minutes a night at minimum at his "real" NBA position and see how he progresses through the year.

Tell that to cliff who knows he's 1 or 2 more dropped games away from being unemployed. Only priority he has is putting the players with the best chance to win games on the floor. Doesn't help that we have like 4 shooting guards on our roster. Not sure what our plan is with that. I don't see how monk and Bacon can both get consistent minutes. It seems like it has to be one or the other at this point with batum back from injury

[Chapelchilla]

I'm fine with benching Monk for the Clips game, but I hope it doesn't become a new trend.

The kid struggled mightily as a backup PG, but he was never (or at least I never read anyone who claimed it) was meant to be a PG, he's an undersized SG, and I'd like to see him get some steady minutes at that position off the bench.

For better or worse, Monk is one of the few guys on our roster with potential for dramatic improvement over the next few years. We need to make it a priority to feed him 5-10 minutes a night at minimum at his "real" NBA position and see how he progresses through the year.

Monk has been killing us lately so it was time to let him ride the pine for a bit. I think he should actually be in Greensboro working on his handles and lifting weights.

[Robot Rock]

Monk needs to see 10 minutes a game, mostly in the first half. He can't learn much from watching Frank suck.

[Robot Rock]

I'm fine with benching Monk for the Clips game, but I hope it doesn't become a new trend.

The kid struggled mightily as a backup PG, but he was never (or at least I never read anyone who claimed it) was meant to be a PG, he's an undersized SG, and I'd like to see him get some steady minutes at that position off the bench.

For better or worse, Monk is one of the few guys on our roster with potential for dramatic improvement over the next few years. We need to make it a priority to feed him 5-10 minutes a night at minimum at his "real" NBA position and see how he progresses through the year.

Monk has been killing us lately so it was time to let him ride the pine for a bit. I think he should actually be in Greensboro working on his handles and lifting weights.

Only one guy has been killing us lately, and he's not a player.

[Joest2003]

I'm fine with benching Monk for the Clips game, but I hope it doesn't become a new trend.

The kid struggled mightily as a backup PG, but he was never (or at least I never read anyone who claimed it) was meant to be a PG, he's an undersized SG, and I'd like to see him get some steady minutes at that position off the bench.

For better or worse, Monk is one of the few guys on our roster with potential for dramatic improvement over the next few years. We need to make it a priority to feed him 5-10 minutes a night at minimum at his "real" NBA position and see how he progresses through the year.

Monk has been killing us lately so it was time to let him ride the pine for a bit. I think he should actually be in Greensboro working on his handles and lifting weights.

Only one guy has been killing us lately, and he's not a player.

We understand that your a monk fan but yes he has absolutely been hurting us. His shooting percentage is awful and so has his play making.
He will be a great player eventually but the state the Hornets are in right now they can't afford to force feed 19 year old rookies minutes.

[Hornet Mania]

I understand the case against playing Monk, and I can't say I disagree with the sentiment he's been hurting our short-term chances with poor shots. I'm more concerned about the long-term when it comes to him. Will he develop into a worthwhile player? Will he learn good habits? Will he feel invested enough to study film, work hard, learn the offense and make better decisions?

I think benching him entirely is a bad idea because it simply won't make him better, imo. 5 minutes won't hurt. Send him out, if he's hot he plays 10-15 more minutes, if not then back to the bench.

I have a similar issue with sending him to the G-League, because the G-League is the absolute worst place on Earth for a shoot-first teenager to go. That level is the wild west, or every game I've ever watched has been, gunner's paradise, and I'm afraid it will ruin the kid. His problem thus far, in my view, is that he can't read defenses worth a damn and he enters possessions already deciding pass/shoot. The G-League is only going to crystallize that garbage mentality, there is no defense to read, and the biggest challenge for him will probably be making sure he jacks up his share of shots before the other gunners beat him to it. It's sort of like my disdain for AAU, running and gunning is cool for stats and highlights but young players aren't actually "developing" into anything but SSOL role players at best in such an environment.

@ Liver Pooty: What makes you think Monk's future position is PG? Is it his size? I'm afraid if he ends up a PG he'll be a bust, Mo Williams (not the year he made the ASG because of Lebron) at absolute best, which would be a bit disappointing. He just doesn't seem to have the handle or passing ability (vision is fine, he just telegraphs them for interceptions) to ever be a difference-maker as lead ball handler from what I've seen.

[Liver_Pooty]

I understand the case against playing Monk, and I can't say I disagree with the sentiment he's been hurting our short-term chances with poor shots. I'm more concerned about the long-term when it comes to him. Will he develop into a worthwhile player? Will he learn good habits? Will he feel invested enough to study film, work hard, learn the offense and make better decisions?

I think benching him entirely is a bad idea because it simply won't make him better, imo. 5 minutes won't hurt. Send him out, if he's hot he plays 10-15 more minutes, if not then back to the bench.

I have a similar issue with sending him to the G-League, because the G-League is the absolute worst place on Earth for a shoot-first teenager to go. That level is the wild west, or every game I've ever watched has been, gunner's paradise, and I'm afraid it will ruin the kid. His problem thus far, in my view, is that he can't read defenses worth a damn and he enters possessions already deciding pass/shoot. The G-League is only going to crystallize that garbage mentality, there is no defense to read, and the biggest challenge for him will probably be making sure he jacks up his share of shots before the other gunners beat him to it. It's sort of like my disdain for AAU, running and gunning is cool for stats and highlights but young players aren't actually "developing" into anything but SSOL role players at best in such an environment.

@ Liver Pooty: What makes you think Monk's future position is PG? Is it his size? I'm afraid if he ends up a PG he'll be a bust, Mo Williams (not the year he made the ASG because of Lebron) at absolute best, which would be a bit disappointing. He just doesn't seem to have the handle or passing ability (vision is fine, he just telegraphs them for interceptions) to ever be a difference-maker as lead ball handler from what I've seen.

His size concerns me. I think hes going to eventually be a beast, though. Time will tell.

[Chapelchilla]

No Monk PT - Hornets win again
We need to get him some time after he settles down but he is not ready yet.

[yosemiteben]

I'm curious how long we'll continue to run Bacon over Monk.

[Chapelchilla]

I'm curious how long we'll continue to run Bacon over Monk.

yeah, a
Mcw
Monk
Lamb
Frank
Cody
Second team would be ok,
Good offensive line up anyway

[catch20two]

I’d definitely rather see Monk in the rotation than Bacon. Bacon has been ok and decent for a rookie 2nd rounder but he doesn’t have that breakout ability to change a game the way Monk do.

[Chapelchilla]

I’d definitely rather see Monk in the rotation than Bacon. Bacon has been ok and decent for a rookie 2nd rounder but he doesn’t have that breakout ability to change a game the way Monk do.

I agree, Bacon is good for where he was drafted but is basically just a dude. Monk COULD be a difference maker down the road. Right now, he is a little lost. Summer league could have helped him a bunch.

[catch20two]

I’d definitely rather see Monk in the rotation than Bacon. Bacon has been ok and decent for a rookie 2nd rounder but he doesn’t have that breakout ability to change a game the way Monk do.

I agree, Bacon is good for where he was drafted but is basically just a dude. Monk COULD be a difference maker down the road. Right now, he is a little lost. Summer league could have helped him a bunch.

I think he’s just in a slump. He showed consistency with efficiency all through preseason and then soon as the season started he suddenly became inconsistent with a few sparks.

If we’re gonna play MCW as a part of the 2nd unit then I’d much rather Monk over Bacon as the other wing unless the matchup force us to use Bacon due to Monk’s lack of size.

[catch20two]

It’s the most Clifford thing to do to play a slumping/nonexistent 2nd rounder in Bacon over our struggling/erratic lottery pick in Monk.

I was all for taking away minutes from Monk with the return of Batum in order to keep Lamb’s minutes up. But now we’re about 4 games into Batum’s return and my observations don’t like Bacon still being in the rotation not only taking minutes away from Lamb but completely taking Monk out of the rotation. That’s a double negative that I just can’t wrap my mind around.

Clifford gonna Clifford.

[Braggins]

Yeah, I'd also like to see Monk in Bacon's rotation spot. Bacon doesn't really do anything other than not be short, whereas Monk at least has the ability to go off on scoring outbursts that can completely bail out our offense. I also feel like if we are going to play MCW we might as well take advantage of his size + defense and pair Monk with him. Basically, what people have already said.

[yosemiteben]

It’s the most Clifford thing to do to play a slumping/nonexistent 2nd rounder in Bacon over our struggling/erratic lottery pick in Monk.

No Cliff doesn't play rookies remember.

His narrative changes like the wind.

[catch20two]

It’s the most Clifford thing to do to play a slumping/nonexistent 2nd rounder in Bacon over our struggling/erratic lottery pick in Monk.

No Cliff doesn't play rookies remember.

His narrative changes like the wind.

I never pushed the “Clifford don’t play rookies” narrative. That only rung true during the Vonleh days. Other than that Cliff has played Zeller and Frank a little bit more than I wanted during their rookie seasons.

My narrative with Clifford is that he always find a way to play the wrong players and lineups until injuries force him to play a different lineup that proves to be our success around midseason and we’re playing catch-up.

[CatgutStitches]

I still love Monk but it's VERY clear that Bacon is light years ahead of him defensively....that is why he's getting the burn. It's quite obvious.

[Liver_Pooty]

I still love Monk but it's VERY clear that Bacon is light years ahead of him defensively....that is why he's getting the burn. It's quite obvious.

Exactly

[catch20two]

I don’t think y’all understand how bad Bacon has been with consistent minutes just because he’s kinda invisible until the ball occasionally find it’s way into his hands for a open shot that he misses.

Bacon is shooting 37% from the field and 33% on 3s with a 5.7 PER. That is not deserving of a rotation spot.

If we’re gonna do bad or below mediocre I’d much rather it be our guy with upside in Monk. I don’t expect Monk to continue shooting so poorly. It’s only been a few games and most of his inefficiency revolves around shot selection. Bacon’s inefficiency revolves around just not being good enough (yet).

I honestly would rather Graham in over Bacon if we’re really talking about defense and the ability to hit the open 3.