-RILEY: Greg Monroe is the best passer in college basketball. He makes people better around...

-RILEY: Greg Monroe is the best passer in college basketball. He makes people better around him.

-Q: Best passing big man? Or best passer no matter the position?

-RILEY: Yep. In college basketball. I don’t care who you’re talking about. Now John Wall was great, let’s don’t take that away from him. John Wall puts the ball right in people’s hands. But I’ll tell you what, Greg Monroe makes people better around him. You don’t see many big guys who facilitate or who help other people.

Similar to what Bill Walton did as a high-post player.

Warriors GM Larry Riley
This could be smokescreen, or it could be evidence that Petrie has no room to trade down to draft Monroe.

almost 2 years ago sdfd 9 comments 0 recs |

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Trade him the #5 for the #6 and Curry.

Or an S&T with Morrow. I think they’d prefer Cousins, but I’m no expert.

This is sort of fun, but I think I liked it when we were good, and had no draft picks, like in 2003.

Or did having no pick cost us a shot at Kendrick Perkins, Leandro Barbosa or Josh Howard?

In retrospect, this isn’t any fun at all.

Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.

by andy sims on Jun 20, 2010 6:51 AM PDT reply actions

Hmm, LARRY Riley, not Pat Riley

That changes EVERYTHING.

First you get a SHC article with an anonymous GM spouting off how poor DMC is.
Then the next day you get LARRY RIley, praising Monroe as the best passer in college basketball.

I wonder if he’s not trying to influence DMC dropping to #6.

He sure ain’t on Petrie’s level in keeping people guessing, that’s for sure.

Petrie may well pass on DMC, but it won’t be from Riley’s attempt to persuade, it’ll be because Geoff thinks Monroe is better or that he’s more likely to reach his high end.

by Smills9133 on Jun 20, 2010 8:12 AM PDT reply actions

an apt (mis)quotation (falsely) attributed to Sigmund Freud applies here

sometimes a cigar is just a cigar

I have read from many other college scouts that Greg Monroe is an impressive passer with a high BB IQ. It has been his calling card and the reason he has been ranked as high as a top 3 pick last year (and oddly, not this year despite improving his game – particularly in regards to rebounding).
I think with the emphasis on physical attributes and expected growth of game and skills, game smarts are under appreciated. One might argue that BB IQ is a more difficult skill to build than those of the physical variety.

Clearly, Greg Monroe is a skilled big man on the offensive end. His rebounding has improved and the questions of his “motor” and defensive presence persist. If the Kings are interested in him at the #5 and pass, it is logical that the next team to draft, the GW Warriors, would likewise consider him.

by betweentheeyes on Jun 20, 2010 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Last year may have helped his stock

being a big man in a dominantly guard class. Now he is going against more big men thus hurting his stock.

...

by prowseinthehouse on Jun 20, 2010 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions

I think the Kings take DMC at #5

Hopefully they keep him, but if you’re intent on moving the pick for Monroe. Just take DMC and look to both GS or Detroit and make a deal for Monroe. Both want DMC. So smokescreen or not. Posturing or not. If DMC is there at 5 take him and you have options. Worst case scenrio is you keep him, which looks like a PRETTY AWESOME worst case scenario if Cousins falls to 5.

by Smills9133 on Jun 20, 2010 8:14 AM PDT reply actions