Why the Pelicans should go after Greg Monroe

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The case for Monroe begins where the Pelicans need improvement. As I have outlined recently, the Pelicans are weak in the areas of defense, rebounding, and shot selection. Greg Stiemsma rebounded just 49.7% of his rebound opportunities last year. Greg Monroe, while playing with noted rebound vacuum Andre Drummond, collected 57.1%. Going back to 82 Games, Monroe's production at center this year was 16.1 rebounds per 48 minutes.

... P&R # Spot-Up # Post-Up #
Monroe 1.19 94 1.01 193 0.68 206
Jefferson 0.72 100 0.93 147 0.73 244
Noah 0.78 133 0.97 264 0.78 254
Duncan 0.79 112 0.83 121 0.79 218
Gasol 0.90 68 1.03 114 0.79 112
Howard 0.84 100 1.01 114 0.74 143
Hibbert 0.86 156 0.97 155 0.67 210

All statistics pulled from Synergy Sports

There is no getting around the Pick and Roll number being horrendous. I would ask that you focus on his ability to defend post ups primarily, but also to take a hard look at what Al Jefferson did this year. If I told any person that understands basketball that Al Jefferson would be a better pick and roll defender than all those other names up there before the season I would have been laughed out of the room. Here we are, Jefferson anchors at top 10 defense and got the Bobcats back into the playoffs. Jefferson also defended the rim more poorly than Greg Monroe did this past season, allowing a 52.7% conversion rate to opponents.

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