The Morning After: Greg Monroe Quotes, Links and Photos

Hooray for Greg Monroe.  Hooray for the Detroit Pistons.  And hooray for Georgetown fans.  Here is what the world is saying about Monroe and Detroit's 7th pick in the 2010 draft.

On a side note, just when I thought my Knicks could not disappoint me anymore, they go out and draft Andy Rautins.  Andy freckin Rautins, the Knicks should just merge with Ringling Brothers already.  Chris Duhon and Andy Rautins in the same backcourt sounds like the lineup of a bottom tier team from the Andorran Basketball League.  Alas, I digress, this post is about Greg Monroe, not the most pathetic franchise in the history of professional sports.

(More on Monroe, less on the Knicks, after the Jump)

Monroe says joining Pistons is dream come true' - McClatchy Network - Kentucky.com
"I'm just happy the Pistons gave me the opportunity," Monroe told the Detroit media during a conference call. "It's a dream come true obviously, and I'm happy to be here and get to work."

Pistons select Georgetown's Greg Monroe | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
“When you’re out scouting guys for two years like we have been, you have a good feel for who he is,” Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said Thursday night. “I went to see him play a couple times this year and the staff saw him play a ton of times the past two years. I don’t think it’s a mystery about what he can do. I’ve talked to him before and he’s a high-character guy who will fit in here.”

Michael Rosenberg: Pistons draft pick Greg Monroe lacks star power, but he's got skill and size | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
Dumars' biggest mistake as a general manager, taking Darko Milicic with the No. 2 pick in a loaded draft, was a classic case of going for size and skill over surer bets. That is the most common NBA draft and free-agency mistake, and it will continue to be. But with Monroe, there is not much projecting involved. He doesn't have potential to be a great passer; he is a great passer. The Pistons don't have to hope he rebounds; he already has done it.

Pistons take Georgetown's Greg Monroe, Ole Miss guard in draft | detnews.com | The Detroit News
"We made it very clear from the outset we were going to target a big that could come in and help us right away," said Joe Dumars, the Pistons president of basketball operations. "In drafting Greg Monroe, he obviously addresses those things. He's a big man we think can come in and help right away."

The TrueHoop Dossier: Greg Monroe - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN
Does Monroe have Cousins' explosiveness and strut? Not a chance. Does he have Favors' preternatural athleticism? Probably not. But any NBA team that's sincerely interested in building a system predicated on ball movement, versatile skill sets and selflessness will be fortunate to land Monroe as a tent pole of their offense

Georgetown's Greg Monroe chosen by Detroit Pistons with 7th pick of NBA draft
Monroe became Georgetown's highest pick since Jeff Green went No. 5 in 2007. After producing draft picks in just two of eight seasons between 1999 and 2006, the Hoyas have now sent players to the NBA in each of the past four seasons.

Monroe for Prez - The "Greg Monroe is a Piston" Post - Detroit Bad Boys
For a big man, Monroe has a pretty diverse toolkit.  Unlike most centers his age, he can move with the ball, pass, and cut to the basket.  This gives me confidence that he will find ways to be useful right off the bat.

Pistons take Georgetown's Greg Monroe in draft; Wall is No. 1 | detnews.com | The Detroit News
"Just because I might not score as many points as a lot of people, I don't think that makes me unassertive or passive," Monroe said at the draft combine. "I just try to make the right play."

Scouting the new Pistons: Greg Monroe, Terrico White | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
He might go a long way toward balancing the roster and might give the Pistons a scoring threat up front. There are questions of athleticism and toughness.

Analysts: Greg Monroe is a big man with skills | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
"He's different from the others because he's more skilled," Jay Bilas said of the 6-11 forward. "I think he may be the most skilled big man in this draft. ... "He's a good athlete, but he's not a superior athlete, and that's been a little bit of a knock on him. ... I think he's going to have perhaps a better pro career than he had a college career."