Lakers Expected To Meet With Greg Monroe, Have "Serious Interest"

Expect the Lakers to have "serious interest" in every FA big, but still: http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/6/28/8859743/la-lakers-rumors-greg-monroe-free-agency

Monroe isn't a rim protector, but does have the advantage of a 25% max, so he would be cheaper than Aldridge, Gasol, Love, etc. He isn't the ideal fit, but if he agrees to sign for 4 years he will almost surely be an asset on a good contract.

 

I'd rather have him than Love, but he's definitely not near the top of my wish list. I think he's NY bound though.

 

I haven't seen him play too much. Here's a highlight tape:



Looks like he can drive a bit and has some passing ability. But where is the defense?

 

He would be on the last options on my list, would probably sign Chandler over him as well. I do think he is going to the Knicks though.

 

Hmmm how would he feel about taking a small contract so we can sign L.A.?

 

Not my first choice, but I wouldn't hate it.

 

Definitely nowhere near the top of my list, but atleast his cheaper max would still leave us some room to improve the team. We'd have to strike out on just about every FA big that plays defense for this to be a good signing.

 

He'd be an offensive center on a team with an offensive PG (Russell), offensive SG (Clarkson), offensive wingman (Kobe) and an offensive PF (Randle or possibly LMA).

So where's the defense?

I don't mind picking him up if other options aren't available. It's just that it looks like we're putting together a 90's Lakeshow squad instead of a contender that Jim Buss promised they'd put together.

I don't mind a new Lakeshow squad, they'd be fun to watch and at least make the playoffs, but that's not what was promised.

The only good thing about him is that he's young and productive. So he'd be easier to trade to another team.

 

We don't need to sell out for an offensive center, we should focus on guys who play defense and rebound consistently. Thats something this team needs.

 

If we are being realistic Monroe, Deandre Jordan, or maybe Brook Lopez are probably our list of big men targets. Aldridge isn't going to want to be a full time center and he's from Texas, turning 30(looking for a championship run now). It would be an upset if he didn't end up on spurs. Love isn't a fit. Gasol doesn't want to come here.

 

one thing I will say: having one defender on the back line can't solve deficiencies at every other spot (see: 2014-15 dallas mavericks). I'm actually ok with doubling down on offense at center.

my dad and I were discussing Monroe today over beers; I don't get why he's viewed as a "meh" player in most circles. he's big, skilled, and smart. there are places in the league for folks like that. I think he's a center who's not a shotblocker. there are lots of others, and he's better offensively than most centers.

 

I've seen a lot of Monroe this past few years. Terrific post player and rebounder. Not the best passer, but not horrible. But his defense is horrific, just horrible in the P&R, terrible in help situations. He is not a good fit for this team.

 

True, but Russell, Clarkson, Nance, Brown and Randle can learn to be better defensively since they're young. The Mavs were older. Shotblocking/rim protection is something a big man can or can't do. Monroe can't do it.

Monroe would be a nice fit for the Thunder. A center who can score, pass, and rebound paired with a PF who can protect the rim.

 

call me old fashioned, but I think teams without crazy athletes can still defend if they put their minds to it (literally). defense is almost equal parts athleticism, smarts, and willpower.

the san Antonio spurs have very few passable one on one defenders, for example. and no one is confusing late career Duncan or tiago splitter with Tyson chandler or deandre Jordan.

 

If you're talking about perimeter players, then sure, team defense works. But you still have to have a rim protector if you're running a man-to-man defense.

As for the Spurs, Tim Duncan, despite his age, still blocked 2 shots a game last season.