Phoenix Suns midseason grades

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 3: The Phoenix Suns huddles before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 3: The Phoenix Suns huddles before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Greg Monroe

PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 13: Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during game against the Toronto Raptors on December 13, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 13: Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during game against the Toronto Raptors on December 13, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

I feel bad for Greg Monroe. He really is not a bad player. He’s definitely not to Eric Bledsoe’s stature in the league, but he is still deserving of more games and minutes than he is receiving.

When he plays and receives starter’s minutes, he’s basically a double-double machine. He remains prepared and goes about his business. When he doesn’t play, he’s silent. He doesn’t complain publicly, as far as any of us know he works hard at practice, and he knows that he will eventually be waived or traded and thus has no future with the franchise.

He’s not the future, but as of this moment, he is the now, and I have personally been very happy with him. I suppose I wish that he played well enough to make up for the loss of Bledsoe and well enough to steal more rotational minutes, but at the same time, that’s not his role with the Suns, and was never intended to be.

Next: 5 signs Marquese Chriss has finally turned the corner

Midseason Grade: A-