MILWAUKEE – Unlike previous stops in his NBA career, Greg Monroe is no longer saddled with the burden of being the face of the franchise or expected to be a central part of the team’s core.
Drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the seventh overall pick in 2010, Monroe has been a solid but far from spectacular pro with career averages of 13.7 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 51.5 percent from the field.
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Now, with the Celtics, that’s no longer an issue.
With Boston, the 6-foot-11 center is part of the puzzle rather than a cornerstone which works for all involved and has been one of the many factors weighing in Boston’s favor as the Celtics hit the road with a 2-0 lead against Monroe’s old team, the Milwaukee Bucks, in the best-of-seven series.
One of the big knocks on Monroe was how most of the teams he played on failed to get to the playoffs.
An eight-year veteran, this is only the second time Monroe has been to the playoffs.
Boston Celtics
The first time?
That was last year, with the Bucks, who were bounced in the first round by Toronto.
The irony of Monroe potentially getting to the second round of the playoffs at the expense of the Bucks is not lost on the veteran big man.
Still, he insists there’s no added motivation or incentive for him in this series against his former team.
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“Like I said before, that part of my career is over,” Monroe said. “I’m focused on right now and right now we have to win this series.”
Here are five under-the-radar storylines leading into tonight’s pivotal Game 3 in Milwaukee:
MIDDLETON AND FOULS
BENCH PLAY
BOXING OUT
TATUM MORE THAN A SCORER
JABARI PARKER
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