Game 8: Phoenix Suns at Washington Wizards, November 1st, 4:00 PM, PT

[Qwigglez]

After watching a replay of the game, I really enjoyed how hyped the bench got in the fourth quarter when we were making plays. Everyone looked like they had the Alan Williams fever.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Bender isn't Porzingis. They are entirely different types of players. Bender is a longer/taller Kirilinko. Potentially Kirilinko 2.0 as his offense rounds out. And that is awesome on its own, but he's never going to be an offense-first guy like Porzingis.

I don't think he's very comparable to Kirilenko, either. It's hard to place him. I'm not sure there's a good historical comparison for Bender - on either side of the ball.

[bwgood77]

Bender isn't Porzingis. They are entirely different types of players. Bender is a longer/taller Kirilinko. Potentially Kirilinko 2.0 as his offense rounds out. And that is awesome on its own, but he's never going to be an offense-first guy like Porzingis.

I don't think he's very comparable to Kirilenko, either. It's hard to place him. I'm not sure there's a good historical comparison for Bender - on either side of the ball.

I think Kirilenko is a great comp. Hopefully he's a better 3 pt shooter and rebounder but AK47 shot as high as 37.9% from 3 one year, got 8 boards one year, 4.3 ast noe year, 1.9 stl one year and 3.3 blk one year (all per game obviously).

Bender will probably play a bit more inside at times while also attempting more 3s but hopefully he has as much defensive impact and at least close the overall numbers that AK47 had.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kirilan01.html

[Waylay13]

Bender isn't Porzingis. They are entirely different types of players. Bender is a longer/taller Kirilinko. Potentially Kirilinko 2.0 as his offense rounds out. And that is awesome on its own, but he's never going to be an offense-first guy like Porzingis.

I don't think he's very comparable to Kirilenko, either. It's hard to place him. I'm not sure there's a good historical comparison for Bender - on either side of the ball.

I think Bender is a mix of a couple players but Derrick Mckey and Toni Kukoc. Mostly I see his impact not being in the stats sheet but in what happens with the team maybe advanced stats. it looks like Bender might be an amazing one on one defender in time.

[jcsunsfan]

After watching a replay of the game, I really enjoyed how hyped the bench got in the fourth quarter when we were making plays. Everyone looked like they had the Alan Williams fever.

Winning does this for you.

[Qwigglez]

Bender can be like AK and Draymond IMO. Impact the game defensively but also can create shots for others and hit the three. Give him another two years

[sunsbg]

Anyone care to explain those advanced stats that make Bender look like a monster on defense, or at least that's what I read after every game now ? Then I watch him and see nothing more than a good positional defense, no smarts to steal a ball (0.5 avg in 22 mins), below average rebounder for his size, so there is obviously something I'm missing. He has a potential, but at this point he is becoming greatly overrated IMO.

[grumpysaddle]

WOAH BUD. NSFW MUCH?!

[Revived]

A less stronger and athletic Draymond is the best comparison I have for Bender.

[grumpysaddle]

Anyone care to explain those advanced stats that make Bender look like a monster on defense, or at least that's what I read after every game now ? Then I watch him and see nothing more than a good positional defense, no smarts to steal a ball (0.5 avg in 22 mins), below average rebounder for his size, so there is obviously something I'm missing. He has a potential, but at this point he is becoming greatly overrated IMO.

Steals do not good defense make (they're nice to see for sure, but they aren't essential in evaluating a player's defense). And you said it yourself, his positional defense is outstanding. He has the ability to chase down a guard that drives on him, which is pretty much a lost art for big men. If you watch closely, you will see the difference he makes with his individual defense to the team defense overall. It's a small sample size, but for a 19 year old, it's incredible.

[NTB]

Anyone care to explain those advanced stats that make Bender look like a monster on defense, or at least that's what I read after every game now ? Then I watch him and see nothing more than a good positional defense, no smarts to steal a ball (0.5 avg in 22 mins), below average rebounder for his size, so there is obviously something I'm missing. He has a potential, but at this point he is becoming greatly overrated IMO.

He is altering huge amount of opponent's shots. Making guards throw an air-ball. He guarded Joe Johnson, D'Angelo Russell etc.

[Years90Suns]

I have some thoughts on Bender.

Obviously, although he is not starting, he is there with the starters when the game is hot. Chriss, on the other hand, is been released. Lackof effort I see here and to believe he is a star rather than a second year player who still needs improvement.

I like the way Bender is able to act in many defensive plays. He knows he is tall andhas a wide wingspan. So he stands, just jumps a little and expect the opponent to miss. I am entirely sure this is something he has learned from Chandler. That is why I believe Tyson is so valuable for this kids and I think the GM should not try to move it ever. Tyson should be here as long as he wants. He is a champion, he is a veteran and he still can contribute and teach the youngsters. Can you expect any more from a veteran?

I have not been posting here for a long time and I am not an often contributor here, but I love the way the team is playing, the atmosphere within the roster, how hyped thaey seem to be... all great news... nothing like a coach that makes everybody play in his position.

Warren is a beast when he desires to. Booker is a gem. He is a diamond in this league and he is going to take us to a completely different level.

The only bad thought I have is the fact that Chriss and Bender are both PFs and they have to share PT. And so will be in the future...

[NavLDO]

Anyone care to explain those advanced stats that make Bender look like a monster on defense, or at least that's what I read after every game now ? Then I watch him and see nothing more than a good positional defense, no smarts to steal a ball (0.5 avg in 22 mins), below average rebounder for his size, so there is obviously something I'm missing. He has a potential, but at this point he is becoming greatly overrated IMO.

He is altering huge amount of opponent's shots. Making guards throw an air-ball. He guarded Joe Johnson, D'Angelo Russell etc.

The key phrase that you failed to add to this is "...is able to keep up with them stride for stride, and does it well..."

[denial]

Anyone care to explain those advanced stats that make Bender look like a monster on defense, or at least that's what I read after every game now ? Then I watch him and see nothing more than a good positional defense, no smarts to steal a ball (0.5 avg in 22 mins), below average rebounder for his size, so there is obviously something I'm missing. He has a potential, but at this point he is becoming greatly overrated IMO.

See my previous post about people using steals to judge defense.

Defense is 95% about good position. "nothing more than good positional defense" is another way of saying he plays good defense.

People get so enamoured by athleticism. This is chess, not checkers.

[AtheJ415]

Bender isn't Porzingis. They are entirely different types of players. Bender is a longer/taller Kirilinko. Potentially Kirilinko 2.0 as his offense rounds out. And that is awesome on its own, but he's never going to be an offense-first guy like Porzingis.

I don't think he's very comparable to Kirilenko, either. It's hard to place him. I'm not sure there's a good historical comparison for Bender - on either side of the ball.

I think Bender is a mix of a couple players but Derrick Mckey and Toni Kukoc. Mostly I see his impact not being in the stats sheet but in what happens with the team maybe advanced stats. it looks like Bender might be an amazing one on one defender in time.

He is not Kukoc. Kukoc had nowhere near this type of defensive ability/toolset. Just because Bender looked up to Kukoc and is a high IQ player like him doesn't make him comparable.

[Waylay13]

I don't think he's very comparable to Kirilenko, either. It's hard to place him. I'm not sure there's a good historical comparison for Bender - on either side of the ball.

I think Bender is a mix of a couple players but Derrick Mckey and Toni Kukoc. Mostly I see his impact not being in the stats sheet but in what happens with the team maybe advanced stats. it looks like Bender might be an amazing one on one defender in time.

He is not Kukoc. Kukoc had nowhere near this type of defensive ability/toolset. Just because Bender looked up to Kukoc and is a high IQ player like him doesn't make him comparable.

he does have some of Kukoc passing and Mckey doesnt have the outside shoot or passing that Kukoc that is why he is a mix of a couple different players.