[OldSkoolBasketballParticipant]

Who would you rather have on your team and why?

[QuickPostCParticipant]

 Monroe…..he has a maturity level above that of an 11 year old…..unlike Cousins.

 

And there are hundreds of other reasons fellow posters will mention below. It’s not even close.

[torontoraptors10Participant]

Greg Monroe

He is more matured, he is going to be in the league for many years and is going to be consistent.

He is also a better passer

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 Cousins

[EverybodyHatesChrisParticipant]

I would take Cousins. He is more athletic, is a better low post player and he has the higher ceiling, but his attitude and work ethic come into question. He has the talent to become one of the best big men in the league, he just needs to put in the work. Monroe has proven he’s a hardworker and he has a good attitude, but i think his lack of athleticism will eventually limit his potential.

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 I don’t see how you say it’s not close, Cousins is a head case but far as on court, basketball game he is a beast.

He plays less minutes than Monroe and averages the same amount of points,and averages more blocks and rebounds.

[omphalosParticipant]

I think Monroe would be a better fit for the Kings than Cousins, and Cousins better in Detroit, but it’s too hard for me to separate them for the moment.

[PrecociousNeophyteParticipant]

 If Cousins could ever learn to grow up and stop acting like a baby all the time I would take him, but right now and until Cousins grows up i’m taking Monroe all day.

[WeavvvParticipant]

This question depends a lot on context. Just like @omphalos said, if they were traded one for one, right now, they’d both be in a better situation, more suited for each others strengths.
If you were starting a franchise today, and they were the only 2 options left as your next pick.. it’s hard to say.

I take Cousins based on potential. The man is an absolute monster, and as many other people have referred to, if he could get his mind right, he could be a top 5 post player in this league.
But if I had to choose between one of them, knowing I needed a big man for a 7 game series, starting tomorrow, I’d be urged to take Monroe.

Two different players, both with amazing skill sets, but Cousins has all the potential in the world, but is a complete question mark as to whether or not he’ll reach out and take it. 

[sheltwon3Participant]

I like Monroe but I could be bias because he is from N.O.. He is more versatile to me and can make plays for his teammates.

[river09Participant]

 Cousins.. Sorry I know he’s a headcase.. But if you have a couple strong veteran presences in the locker room and a coach that can keep him in line he’s gold. His strength is down low is noticable against all of his competition and has all the skills. He can be downright dominant. Monroe I can definitely see being very good, but not the takeover type of game Cousin’s could bring to the table.. 

[Jlv2012]

Cousins.

[KayjayParticipant]

Headcase or not, his passion for the game is real. And gives his all every night. So going based off potential i’m going to say Cousin’s. 

[invalidParticipant]

 real close. id pick monroe as of now. (safe pick) but im very high on cousins

[Johnny Chill]

Westphal would pick Greg Monroe, because he would still have a job….

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Westphaul could have Blake Griffin and probably be out of a job still that guy was a terrible coach and even Tyreke Evans came out and said the team didn’t even have an offense.

But with the new coach look what Cousins has done in the last 10 games.  Cousins is getting 19 ppg and 13 rpg in 32 mpg over the last 10 they’re monstrous numbers.

Cousins’ passion get’s confused with his immaturity too often.  Yes he is a knucklehead but he also wants to win.  Did you see the game against the Rockets when the Rockets went up 16 with 7 minutes left and they showed you Cousins on the bench and he was p!ssed.  The announcers were trying to make it out like he was crying cuz he was on the bench but he was really just mad.  Well when he got back into the game he tore it up and the Kings came back including Cousins nailing a 3 to tie it under 2 minutes.

I also don’t understand where people get off saying Cousins lacks a work ethic.  The kid is averaging 16ppg and 11.6 rpg this year which is impossible to do if you’re 21 years old with no work ethic in the NBA.  He’s gotten better at everything from last year and even improved his conditioning.  

Be surprised when you wake up and Cousins is putting up better numbers then any Center in the Western Conferance cuz I’m calling it now he’ll become the best of the West.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

Athleticism doesnt limit Greg Monroe’s potential. Athleticism is nice, but basketball IQ, savy, craft, and work ethic are more important. Athleticism hasnt limited Pau Gasol, Kevin Love, or Tim Duncan.

Monroe is more skilled than Cousins, has the ability to play both 4 and 5, passes the ball better, understands the game better, seems more willing to do the little things better. Cousins will put up better numbers, Monroe will be a better player who makes more winning plays.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Pau Gasol and Tim Duncan were both very good athletes that’s why it didn’t limit them.  

And Monroe is a solid athlete in his own right.  He’s strong and runs the court fast.  His main drawback as an athlete that makes him look bad is he’s very slow footed and doesn’t have great lateral quickness.  But I wouldn’t consider Monroe a bad athlete he’s probably an above average athlete for his position.

And Cousins has the ability to play the 4 and 5 too.  In fact Hollinger list him as a PF.  And Monroe might be the better passer then Cousins I actually think Cousins is a better pure passer.  What I mean by that is I’ve saw Cousins make impossibly hard passes that reminded me of Vlade Divac, but Monroe is use to having the ball run through him.  Monroe makes smarter passes and you can run an offense thru him, they did it at G’Town and they’re doing it in Detroit.  Cousins doesn’t have that experience because Westphaul didn’t know how to coach, and John Cal runs everything thru the guards the big men are relagated to just catching lobs and setting screens, he’s even made Anthony Davis look like he has no passing skills this year.  

Basically Cousins has a ton of raw talent still, while Monroe’s are already polished.  But with the right coaching if Cousins polishes his skills up he’s going to have a much higher ceiling.  Cousins also has more range on his jump shot.  He’s eventually gonna turn into a threat from behind the arc too because he can hit the shot but he’s gotta get more comfortable and confidence taking it.

[lalailaParticipant]

Greg is more consistent and more of sure fire to be at least bordeline allstar but skill and physical wise everyone knows Cousins is just better at everything..he is bigger stronger longer quicker more atheltic better shooter much super rebounder better shot blocker and so on..even Greg’s unique passing is still waiting to happen while Cousins avg 3 per game his rookie year..

if Cousins would be caml and smart like Greg he would be a guarantueed franchise player right now it’s a different story..

 

imo i would take Greg for upcoming 3yrs and still Cousins for the rest of their careers im very high on his talent 

[tbp82Participant]

Greg Monroe……………….the key to answering just question for me is "who would you rather have on your team" when you put that in context I think you take Monroe because he can  fit in anywhere. He’s a good teammate, an unselfish player, a mature player, won’t be a locker room problem and he at least just as good on the court  (and I’d argue better) than Cousins.

[surveParticipant]

if I were a GM, I would go with the safe guy, which is Monroe.  Cousins is one of those guys who I can see him having all the individual accolades, like Barkley, but not winning any titles because of his ego.  not saying he is not a team player, he definitely has the mentality of one, but emotionally, if something isnt going his way he can be a problem.  he doesnt strike me as a guy at this stage who is interested in stability.  he is not saying "I love Sac and I will be here for a long time"  he seems to want to be a star and whatever team it is, is irrelevent.  Actually, he reminds me a lot of Chuck.  Just overpowering people on and off the court do to his immense talent….so fixated on their skill level that they wont take a deep enough look in the mirror to correct the issues with themselves that can hold their team back or get them to the next level.

[BlazermannParticipant]

I think both of these players are great! DMC is a knucklehead but he has So much passion for the game! I see it and believe it but Greg reminds me of myself very level headed player and his I.q alone could make him an all star , athleticism is important but is also over rated in my opinion, look at Dirk, Nash, Stockton, Larry, boozer al Jefferson, and all those average to below average athletes that became pretty damn good players

[JNixonParticipant]

"Cousins’ passion get’s confused with his immaturity too often."

No. He’s incredibly immature, no debating. 

[Maniac MaciejParticipant]

I watched the Kings-Bulls game the other night, and I will say this…DeMarcus, if he had Greg Monroe’s brains/attitude, would probably be the best power forward in basketball. As it is, he appears the second coming of Derrick Coleman, for better or for worse.

Monroe reminds me of Shareef Abdur-Rahim. He puts up good numbers, but never really impresses you all that much if you watch him.

So, take your pick.

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