Zelaznyrules wrote:Thespianoid wrote:Yeah I hope so. Maybe they will do that eventually, I guess I would just be doing it earlier
Did you miss his first few games? I ask because they weren't just parking him in the corner originally. I think it was clear the game was a little too fast and a little too physical for him initially and when the shots didn't fall he lost his confidence pretty quickly. I'm sure they'll expand his role as time goes on but this isn't just about developing Bender, it's about developing a team too. He's not the only raw player on this squad, unfortunately. And even some of our more experienced players such as Bledsoe and Knight still have a lot of learning to do.
First few games in Summer League or preseason?
In SL you are fully correct, they didn't park him in the corner to begin with and he struggled a bit with the speed of the game/defense when it came to playmaking/passing and no doubt his confidence took a hit missing those crucial free throws. Biggest issue I remember from that time was that he tended to settle for 3's whenever he could, and unfortunately that still hasn't changed. I think that was a good learning experience, but maybe some more targeted direction on shot selection and smarter usage would be the things to take away. Because how will you expect a young player to adapt themselves to the speed of the game and defense unless you teach them a concept and then let them experience those moments repeatedly in game situations?
Maybe the coaching staff has been warranted in reducing his overall usage a bit (probably not 21% USG like in SL), and I would have no quarrel with that approach, but I definitely disagree with the areas on the floor/how the coaches have decided he's to be used thus far. With a young player, my opinion is that the best thing you can do for them is give them repeated, consistent experience in the areas they will be expected to/relied on to produce. So that they develop a comfort level, expand from, and eventually excel with a role that's consistent with their natural instincts and playstyle.
Simply put, I don't believe giving him a majority of his early minutes at the 3, parked in the corner, and rarely involved in the offense, is a good starting point. Sure, he does have to get used to the NBA 3PT line and has to gain AT MOST 15 pounds from his listed weight of 225 at 7'1". But by limiting him to one area, you're missing out on the potential production from the most prominent talent of a prospect. Like I'd mentioned before, imagine the Magic/Sixers limiting Aaron Gordon/Ben Simmons to simply improving their outside shooting instead of capitalizing on their passing ability concurrent with giving them game reps to improve their shooting consistency.
The organization is trying to develop a team, you're correct. There are a lot of pieces and situations to juggle and balance and it will be a difficult endeavor to find the best for everyone. But, I'd also assume that given the team's rebuilding status and it's prime new investments in their latest 4th and 8th picks, that they'd do a better job understanding Bender's natural game and tailoring his involvement/development to maximize his production and value.
Maybe this is all a fundamental disagreement between myself and the Suns coaching staff on his perceived abilities. After all, they've had tons more experience with seeing him in person and day-to-day in practice. However I think I've seen enough of him through the years to understand that his best overall talent is his instinctual playmaking/passing talent for a player of his mold, and thus far that's being completely suppressed in his young Suns career.
