Greg Monroe is trying to clear things up. (USATSI)
Greg Monroe is trying to clear things up. (USATSI)

Detroit Pistons big man Greg Monroe, who signed the one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer after a long stalemate this summer and also was suspended two games for driving while visibly impaired, is trying to move forward with the season. He spoke about all of it during training camp, via The Detroit News' Vincent Goodwill.

On the DUI:

"I broke the law and I've grown from it," Monroe said. "I know it. I did everything I was asked to do legally. At this point, the main thing that's messed with me mentally is my teammates have to play two games without me."

On not committing to Detroit long-term:

"It's no disrespect to the people working here but it was just tough for me to agree to another four years with new people," Monroe said. "Honestly, if you were to ask the average person would they do that in the arena they're in, they'd say no."

He wanted to make clear he's fully embraced the city and its fans, details that often get caught in the crossfire of a player looking for a new situation.

"I can't speak for everybody but in my case, when talking about leaving Detroit, it was the team specifically," Monroe said. "I have no problem with the city, or the fans or the people. I don't have a problem with anyone here. I've been received with open arms. People have always shown me love. Fans, they've stuck with us through tough times."

Monroe was "incensed" at the report that he wanted teammate Josh Smith to be traded, which is why on media day he vented about "lies" in the media. He also said he hoped people understood that his choice wasn't just about him but also his family, and that he didn't want to make a purely financial decision and sacrifice his own happiness. It's been a rough four years for him in terms of team success, and it's natural he'd want to see what new team president Stan Van Gundy can do to change things before agreeing to stick around.