Detroit Pistons: Greg Monroe Playing Big Despite Lack of Front-Court Help

Greg Monroe is putting this Detroit Pistons team on his shoulders.

So far during this lockout shortened season, Monroe has averaged 14.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, in just his second season.

He's the Pistons most consistent offensive player right now and he is really the only post presence to speak of.

Detroit is unfortunately rather small up front, and at 6'11" and 250 pounds, Monroe, who starts at center, is probably more suited to be a power forward.

Because of Detroit's lack of size though, Monroe has to hold down the fort in the paint.

The Pistons continue to get out-rebounded, and teams are finding ways to exploit their lack of post presence.

Monroe has been great so far, but somehow the Pistons are going to have to find him some help.

Welcome To The Motown Breakdown

Last Night: Pistons 73, 76ers 96.

Yet another tough loss for the Pistons, which will most likely be a theme this year.

They were out-rebounded 49-42, lost the turnover battle 14-12 and were absolutely demolished in the fast-break category, only scoring 13 compared to 24 from Philadelphia.

Jodie Meeks scored 21 for the 76ers, including four three-pointers, and center Spencer Hawes added 16 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.

Monroe led the Pistons in scoring with 22 points, and Brandon Knight, Jason Maxiell and Will Bynum all scored 10 apiece.

When all was said and done, the Pistons were far over-matched on offense, especially without Rodney Stuckey (groin) and Ben Gordon (personal).

Piston Points

Charlie V In The Doghouse: Where the heck is Charlie Villanueva? He's played out his suspension and is able to play, but he can't seem to crack the rotation. He didn't see the court in Philadelphia, which is very telling considering the Pistons were down players and could use the help down low. Whatever is happening, I don't think it's a stretch to assume that Charlie V is in coach Frank's doghouse.

Knight's First Start: With Stuckey out with a sore groin, the rookie was granted his first start. He came out strong and confident, which was a great sign of things to come for Pistons fans. Knight finished the game with 10 points, four assists and nine rebounds. He did go 0-for-5 from behind the line, though.

Starting Daye: Many saw this as a big game for Austin Daye, who had the opportunity to start at shooting guard with Ben Gordon out. Looks like he squandered that though, going 2-of-11 from the field for only four points.

Frank The Tank

Thoughts from coach Frank via Keith Langlois of Pistons.com on NBA.com were, "Greg did a lot of good things. I thought he was very assertive on both ends. Greg played a very good game."

Breakdown

In time, Greg Monroe is going to be a force to be reckoned with down low. He seems to grow more confident in his abilities with every game that goes by, and he will continue to develop offensively.

He's a great passer and has good moves down on the block. He's not as consistent as you'd like him to be with his mid-range shot, but if he hits the gym and develops that, he will be very dangerous.

The Pistons need to help this guy down low though, and right now it doesn't look like they have a serviceable starting big-man on their roster to put next to them.

At 6'10", 231 pounds, Jonas Jerebko is adequate at power forward but, to be honest, he's probably better suited at small forward.

If the Pistons can somehow bring in an athletic center who can control the paint, that would allow Monroe to move to the four and Jerebko to the three.

With the pressure of being the only post-presence down low off him, Monroe would be able to focus on his offensive game and passing the ball, which he is very good at.

Right now this is just a pipe dream, though. I can rearrange the lineup on paper, but until Joe Dumars can actually find something that works, we will be left with the arrangement that we have. 

Looking Forward: Knicks vs. Pistons, January 7 at 7:30 p.m. EST

If you're hoping for an upset, I wouldn't hold your breath.

With a lineup that boasts Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire, the Knicks are going to be coming into The Palace looking for and expecting an easy win.

Anthony is averaging 27.8 points, 3.8 assists and 6.8 rebounds so far, and just dropped 37 on the Washington Wizards.

To be frank, I don't expect this game to be pretty, but we'll see if coach Frank and the Pistons have a few tricks up their sleeves.