Summer Focus and Final Grade
If Greg Monroe decides to opt in or re-signs for next season in Milwaukee, the Bucks’ coaching staff has to continue to find ways to accentuate Monroe’s strengths and hide his weaknesses. Post-heavy big men are a dying breed, but there’s still place for a big who can pound the glass and rim-run, particularly if he can improve his defense around the basket.
Monroe needs to work without the ball as much as possible (setting screens, cutting, rolling), while still being a viable option in the post to bail out broken possessions late in the shot-clock.
Any team built around a non-shooting superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo needs as much floor-spacing as possible. Monroe is an accomplished mid-range shooter (he shoots 47.5 percent from 10-16 feet, 43.8 percent from 16 feet to the three-point line), who should be working on expanding his range as much as possible.
The NBA is an “adapt or die” league. Monroe has the work-ethic to trend more toward the former. Former Detroit Piston’s coach Lawrence Frank noted as much as early as January 2012:
"“He works at it every single day. He came in this morning and got work in. He came in on an off day yesterday and got work in. There’s no substitute for the time you put into it. Usually what you put into it is what you get out of it. He’s doing a good job of living by the adage.”"
If he can focus on the things that make him special as a player, Greg Monroe will have a long and productive career (hopefully, here with the Milwaukee Bucks.)
Season Grade: B-
Next: Milwaukee Bucks 2016-17 season review: Tony Snell
Make sure you stick with us going forward as we review the rest of the Bucks players’ seasons one by one.