The traditional big man is a dying breed in today’s NBA and Toronto Raptors centre Greg Monroe seems well aware of that fact.
With a greater emphasis on three-point shooting league-wide, power forwards and centres have been stepping out beyond the arc with more and more frequency in recent seasons.
Monroe has never made a three-pointer over his eight-year professional career, and has only attempted 12 shots from long range over that time. Perhaps sensing he needs to adapt his game to the modern NBA, the 28-year-old has been working on his three-point stroke this off-season, posting an Instagram video Saturday that shows him splashing triples from all over the court.
While the New Orleans native almost certainly won’t become a three-point specialist, adding this tool to his repertoire can only help the Raptors’ floor spacing. One of Monroe’s new teammates, Jonas Valanciunas, became a reliable long-distance shooter last year after recording just one three-pointer in the five seasons prior.
Toronto will be hoping Monroe will be able to replicate that success.
Monroe signed a one-year deal with Toronto on Aug. 14 after splitting the 2017-18 season between the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics.
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