Five things to watch when the Detroit Pistons play the Milwaukee Bucks
By Duncan Smith
Greg Monroe
Greg Monroe quickly found a new home in Milwaukee after the free agency period began in July. The Bucks signed him to a three-year, $50 million contract, so the Pistons get to look forward to seeing their old teammate in divisional battles for the next few years.
Monroe played in Milwaukee’s opener against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, playing 17 minutes and scoring six points and four rebounds, but this is likely a game he’ll be up for.
Monroe was happy to get out of Detroit after dealing with the Josh Smith debacle right up close, and opted to take a qualifying offer instead of signing long-term with the Pistons, which allowed him to enter unrestricted free agency on July 1st.
He chose the Bucks over the Portland Trailblazers, the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers, and in all of those cities he would have been the man. Love him or hate him for his decision to bolt from the Motor City, Monroe based his decision on where he thought he would be able to win, moreso than any kind of fame or notoriety.
Greg Monroe is a better player than any power forward the Pistons have on their roster currently, so expect him to be fed the ball early and often to prey on that mismatch, and the Bucks to run their offense through him to some degree.