Milwaukee Bucks: 5 reasons to be optimistic after 2016-17 season

Greg Monroe found his role

Greg Monroe found disaster in his first season in Milwaukee. Brought in to be the offensive centerpiece of a dynamic defensive team, Monroe oversaw the Bucks’ collapse on both ends of the floor in a disappointing 2015-16 season. Many Milwaukee fans began counting the days until Monroe could opt out of his contract this year.

But then 2016-17 rolled around, and Monroe and the coaching staff had an entire offseason to scheme how to best deploy Monroe off the bench. Putting “Moose” at the elbow instead of the low post opened up the floor around him, giving him room to score and lanes to pass.

Bench units featuring Jason Terry, Matthew Dellavedova and Mirza Teletovic were tailor-made to space the floor around Monroe’s bruising post game. When the defense doubled he showed great strides in dishing the ball to open players, both on the perimeter and cutting towards the hoop.

Live Feed

FanSided

Monroe’s per-36 numbers stayed relatively the same, with just his assists getting a boost this year. But the Bucks as a team played much better with Monroe on the court this season — seven points per 100 possessions better when he played than when he didn’t, the highest such mark on the team.

In the series against the Toronto Raptors, Monroe averaged 23.5 minutes, 13.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Per-36 minutes that jumped to 20.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists. The Bucks had a 118 offensive rating with Monroe on the floor, and just a 100 defensive rating. Each number would have led the league in the regular season.

Monroe’s role next season is unclear – he excelled as the sixth man this year, but most players relish the start. He can opt out of his contract this summer, although Bucks fans have probably changed their tune over the course of his redemption year. What is clear, however, is that Monroe has the ability to be a solid piece for a team ready to make the leap.