2010 NBA Draft: Why Greg Monroe Is the Pick for Golden State Warriors
“We like Monroe a lot,” New Jersey general manager Rod Thorn said. “He’s a lot different than Derrick Favors. He has an all-around game—left hand, right hand, great size. So I don’t think you (eliminate him) by any stretch. Monroe ’s looking very good to us.”
Rod Thorn might just be putting up a smoke screen as it is widely known that the New Jersey Nets, picking third, are interested in Derrick Favors or Wesley Johnson, but his reasoning is not without merit.
Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins relied on their size and athleticism to overpower smaller opponents and score in college, w hereas Monroe has a sweet back to the basket game. The left hander is probably best suited for the power forward position and at 6’11” he will have a clear advantage when he meets the likes of Carlos Boozer, Zach Randolph, David Lee, etc.
“ Monroe is very versatile. He can split the offense a little bit. He’s like a point forward, who can shoot from the outside, who can really pass it. He’s not a jump-out-of-the-gym athlete,” said Ryan Blake, NBA scouting director.
““He’s got a good upside,” Blake continued,” I think he’s more ready to play than a lot of power forwards."
At the moment most draft analysts has the Georgetown product going to the Golden State Warriors, who pick sixth in the draft.
Had Monroe left Georgetown last year, there is a good chance he would have supplanted Hasheem Thabeet who was picked second by Memphis Grizzlies.
This year’s draft is a little deeper due to rumours of a 2011 lockout that saw a lot more than expected under class men declare.
This will cloud the judgement of a lot of general managers. DeMarcus Cousins is likely to be a top pick, even though he has weight issues. Favors is young and has a lot more room to grow ―but he is young!
Monroe is ready to contribute to any team that drafts him. He played in a complicated Princeton offense in college and his statistics are 16 points 9.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks.
Yes 3.8 assists. Can you imagine this guy playing on the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry or Monta Ellis? He will likely top the 12 assists he had against Providence a few times.
Warrior’s general manager Larry Riley said that Monroe is “the best passer in college.”
"I don't care who you're talking about," Riley said. "Now, John Wall is great and let's not take that away from him. John Wall puts the ball right in people's hands, but Greg Monroe makes people around him better.
The warriors need quality big men that can contribute right away, so picking Monroe here should be a no-brainer. However Baylor forward Ekpe Udoh may also be be taken into consideration.
ESPN Chad Ford reports that Monroe had a poor workout for the Warriors hence why they are now considering Udoh.
He is very athletic and has a little more range on his jump shot than Monroe, but some players shine in a one on one setting but are not much good on a real basketball setting i.e five on five. Unlike DeMarcus Cousins, Monroe has worked out for anyone who wanted him to. Maybe when he got to the Warriors he was run down.
"I've come in and done my work on the court," said M onroe . "I've come into every workout and shown coaches and front office people what I can do, in person."
