Greg Monroe steady in key reserve role for Bucks

Jason Kidd has juggled his center rotation already and candidly admitted he likely will do it again as the season moves along.

So far the only player in the three-piece puzzle that has kept his role is Greg Monroe, who remains the first big man off the bench.

He also has been the most productive of the trio.

John Henson will start for the second straight game Wednesday night in Atlanta as the Bucks face the 8-2 Hawks, with Miles Plumlee now coming off the bench behind Monroe.

Monroe seems less bothered than he was last season about a reserve role, although he has not complained publicly in either season. The 26-year-old has played the most minutes of the three big men — 21.4 per game — and is averaging 10.3 points and 7.8 rebounds. Last season he averaged 29.3 minutes while starting 67 of 79 games.

“It’s his decision,” Monroe said of the Bucks coach bringing him off the bench. “I’m comfortable; I’m fine.

“I think we have a good flow, a good balance. We won the game (against Memphis); that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter when I get in.

“I trust my teammates. I still think I can get better. I don’t think I’ve been playing as well as I could.”

Monroe said he’s striving for an A grade and would give himself a B-minus or a C-plus so far.

“I think he’s been great for us off the bench,” Kidd said. “It’s good to hear he gave himself a B and he feels like he can get better.”

Monroe said the attitude around the team is "definitely different" this season.

"You get off to a good start, that's huge," he said of the 5-4 start. "Especially for a young team, and we're a relatively young team. Guys are not accepting it. We know we can get better. We're just in here working and trying to fully find ourselves.

"Sometimes we have little lapses. We're going to make mistakes. Everybody is figuring out their roles every day in practice, in games. So I think we're heading in the right direction."

Henson brought energy as a starter Saturday and finished with eight points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes. Monroe contributed seven and seven while Plumlee had one point and one rebound in 9 minutes.

Plumlee had started the first eight games but was unproductive.

All three players have security with multiyear deals — Henson four years for $44 million, Monroe three years for $50 million (including a player option next season) and Plumlee a recently signed four-year, $50 million deal.

Decisions will be made in the future and trades always are possible, but now this is the Bucks’ reality at the center spot.

They will try to present opponents with different problems, using Henson as a defensive stopper and Monroe as a low-post scorer and passer. Kidd called the 6-foot-11 Henson a “closer” earlier in the year, but now he is an “opener.”

Monroe played the entire fourth quarter (five points, three rebounds) as the Bucks won a tight game with the Grizzlies at home Saturday to snap a two-game losing streak.

The Bucks were preparing to face Atlanta center Dwight Howard on Wednesday night, but Howard suffered a left quad contusion in the Hawks' 93-90 victory in Miami on Tuesday. His status is uncertain for Wednesday's game.

Henson has started just 13 games since Kidd arrived as coach, including one game in 57 appearances last season. The former North Carolina star has 45 starts in 266 career appearances, all with Milwaukee.

Kidd said he plans to stay with Henson as the starter at this stage of the season and see how it works.

“John has come with some energy and he’s doing a really good job for us right now,” Kidd said.