Dragan Bender News, Discussion and Highlights

[jcsunsfan]

Read on Twitter

This playground style oohing and ahing when a defensive player falls down Ian just plain stupid. Many times they are tripped or hit a wet spot on the floor. It’s just stupid.

That's part of basketball. People tune in for moments like this. Kyrie wouldn't be as popular as he is if he didn't have those playground moves which he busts out in-game

Exactly. Basketball is a sport and sports are made for entertainment. These type of plays provide that entertainment. It’s like saying people shouldn’t get excited about highlight dunks either since whether it’s a poster dunk or layup, it’s still only worth 2 pts. But that’s not the point.

But it’s nothing that is worth getting excited over. In most cases the offensive player did absolutely nothing special. At least with a dunk someone jumped and scored. You really get excited because a defender slipped on some sweat on the court or got his legs tangled with another player.

And then everyone is laughing at a defender who is playing tough d. You can keep from falling down by not trying. I absolutely HATE when some announcer starts blurting out “no he dih unt!!!”

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

This playground style oohing and ahing when a defensive player falls down Ian just plain stupid. Many times they are tripped or hit a wet spot on the floor. It’s just stupid.

That's part of basketball. People tune in for moments like this. Kyrie wouldn't be as popular as he is if he didn't have those playground moves which he busts out in-game

Exactly. Basketball is a sport and sports are made for entertainment. These type of plays provide that entertainment. It’s like saying people shouldn’t get excited about highlight dunks either since whether it’s a poster dunk or layup, it’s still only worth 2 pts. But that’s not the point.

Yeah, but it happens to everyone.

Watch on YouTube

[Foliohattu]

Highlights are fun and all, but I'll never hold it against a player if he gets his ankles broken or gets posterized. Like at least he tried to slide his feet and defend the perimeter or challenge a shot, you would never have either of those happen to you if you would just play that Okafor/Harden lowlight defence watching the ball.

[Revived]

This playground style oohing and ahing when a defensive player falls down Ian just plain stupid. Many times they are tripped or hit a wet spot on the floor. It’s just stupid.

That's part of basketball. People tune in for moments like this. Kyrie wouldn't be as popular as he is if he didn't have those playground moves which he busts out in-game

Exactly. Basketball is a sport and sports are made for entertainment. These type of plays provide that entertainment. It’s like saying people shouldn’t get excited about highlight dunks either since whether it’s a poster dunk or layup, it’s still only worth 2 pts. But that’s not the point.

Yeah, but it happens to everyone.

Watch on YouTube

Oh yeah it definitely does. I remember back in the day Brandon Roy (one of my fave athlete ever) did LeBron dirty in a game in Portland and fans went crazy about it. It’s still an awesome play and part of entertainment to watching basketball, at least for me.

[Revived]

This playground style oohing and ahing when a defensive player falls down Ian just plain stupid. Many times they are tripped or hit a wet spot on the floor. It’s just stupid.

That's part of basketball. People tune in for moments like this. Kyrie wouldn't be as popular as he is if he didn't have those playground moves which he busts out in-game

Exactly. Basketball is a sport and sports are made for entertainment. These type of plays provide that entertainment. It’s like saying people shouldn’t get excited about highlight dunks either since whether it’s a poster dunk or layup, it’s still only worth 2 pts. But that’s not the point.

But it’s nothing that is worth getting excited over. In most cases the offensive player did absolutely nothing special. At least with a dunk someone jumped and scored. You really get excited because a defender slipped on some sweat on the court or got his legs tangled with another player.

And then everyone is laughing at a defender who is playing tough d. You can keep from falling down by not trying. I absolutely HATE when some announcer starts blurting out “no he dih unt!!!”

You’re assuming this is the only time a player falls. No, a player can fall just by misjudging the offensive player’s dribble move aka a crossover.

Sure what you said happens sometimes too, but a player does genuinely fall down with an offensive player faking him out completely.

As mentioned, Kyrie Irving is one of the best at this and one of the main reasons why he has almost a cult like following.

[lilfishi22]

Highlights are fun and all, but I'll never hold it against a player if he gets his ankles broken or gets posterized. Like at least he tried to slide his feet and defend the perimeter or challenge a shot, you would never have either of those happen to you if you would just play that Okafor/Harden lowlight defence watching the ball.

Of course not. Happens to everyone. Anyone who hasn't had their ankles broken at some point in their basketball playing career (in-game, practice, playground etc) hasn't played basketball.

[jcsunsfan]

Exactly. Basketball is a sport and sports are made for entertainment. These type of plays provide that entertainment. It’s like saying people shouldn’t get excited about highlight dunks either since whether it’s a poster dunk or layup, it’s still only worth 2 pts. But that’s not the point.

But it’s nothing that is worth getting excited over. In most cases the offensive player did absolutely nothing special. At least with a dunk someone jumped and scored. You really get excited because a defender slipped on some sweat on the court or got his legs tangled with another player.

And then everyone is laughing at a defender who is playing tough d. You can keep from falling down by not trying. I absolutely HATE when some announcer starts blurting out “no he dih unt!!!”

You’re assuming this is the only time a player falls. No, a player can fall just by misjudging the offensive player’s dribble move aka a crossover.

Sure what you said happens sometimes too, but a player does genuinely fall down with an offensive player faking him out completely.

As mentioned, Kyrie Irving is one of the best at this and one of the main reasons why he has almost a cult like following.

That is true, but it seems to make no difference at all to those watching. This Dragan Bender clip is a case in point. That offensive move is a nothingburger. Any YMCA player could do it. Dragan just slips.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

But it’s nothing that is worth getting excited over. In most cases the offensive player did absolutely nothing special. At least with a dunk someone jumped and scored. You really get excited because a defender slipped on some sweat on the court or got his legs tangled with another player.

And then everyone is laughing at a defender who is playing tough d. You can keep from falling down by not trying. I absolutely HATE when some announcer starts blurting out “no he dih unt!!!”

You’re assuming this is the only time a player falls. No, a player can fall just by misjudging the offensive player’s dribble move aka a crossover.

Sure what you said happens sometimes too, but a player does genuinely fall down with an offensive player faking him out completely.

As mentioned, Kyrie Irving is one of the best at this and one of the main reasons why he has almost a cult like following.

That is true, but it seems to make no difference at all to those watching. This Dragan Bender clip is a case in point. That offensive move is a nothingburger. Any YMCA player could do it. Dragan just slips.

I don't care at all how fans react, as long as Dragan and the coaching staff recognize the truth that you speak.

[Saberestar]

Igor Kokoskov acknowledges Bender’s shooting ability, but wants him to do more.

“He’s got to find a way to guard people,” the first-year head coach said. “To contain the ball better. To be more involved and have more a presence under the basket when it comes to rebounding, rim protection.”

Bender was third on the team in blocked shots last season with 53, but he averaged less than one a game in 82 games. He managed just 4.4 rebounds a game last season.

So as good Bender can shoot, the Suns could use more blocks and boards from him.

“It’s coming with age, but he’s got to grow up fast,” continued Kokoskov about the 20-year-old Bender. “We felt him at camp. He brought energy. He brought a presence, that voice. He’s grown and that’s his transition from being a boy to a man.”

https://eu.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2018/10/01/suns-7-footer-bender-says-daniels-more-natural-shooter-than-booker/1469842002/

[lilfishi22]

Igor Kokoskov acknowledges Bender’s shooting ability, but wants him to do more.

“He’s got to find a way to guard people,” the first-year head coach said. “To contain the ball better. To be more involved and have more a presence under the basket when it comes to rebounding, rim protection.”

Bender was third on the team in blocked shots last season with 53, but he averaged less than one a game in 82 games. He managed just 4.4 rebounds a game last season.

So as good Bender can shoot, the Suns could use more blocks and boards from him.

“It’s coming with age, but he’s got to grow up fast,” continued Kokoskov about the 20-year-old Bender. “We felt him at camp. He brought energy. He brought a presence, that voice. He’s grown and that’s his transition from being a boy to a man.”

https://eu.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2018/10/01/suns-7-footer-bender-says-daniels-more-natural-shooter-than-booker/1469842002/

Thank you Igor

This is how I thought about Bender after season 1. Yeah he's young but he's getting to an age where we need to take those floaties off him and it's either sink or swim. He's the same age as someone who's played about 2 years of college now except he's had world class NBA training and being young can't keep being an excuse. I've said this about all prospects, at some point, you're either an NBA player or you're not. At this point, if he's not able to do more than just shoot 3's (like rebound, defend, score in other ways, pass) then you have to question what he really is. I know it's been a bit of a shtshow for the past few seasons so it's hard to put his poor performance on him entirely but he's gotta take responsibility for only looking like an NBA player in half the games he's played

[denial]

He looked absolutely awful tonight in every facet. I feel bad for him and hope he turns it around. But he was really bad.

[Damkac]

If he will not make serious progress very soon I'm ready to say him goodbye.

[Hoyti Von Totiy]

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

You're a monster.

[bwgood77]

You're a monster.

That avatar certainly looks like one.

[jcsunsfan]

Played a much better game tonight. He put the ball on the floor and went to the hoop.

[Hesh]

Watch on YouTube

[JMac1]

I mean come the frick on?!? Don’t be a passive wuss! Make some threes and play some defens. If you have a lane, take it. Dude is a perfect fourth option with Ayton and Booker. He doesn’t have to live up to being a true 4th pick. He shouldnt feel that much pressure being the fourth option... last night needs to be every night. Come on Bender!

[bwgood77]

I mean come the frick on?!? Don’t be a passive wuss! Make some threes and play some defens. If you have a lane, take it. Dude is a perfect fourth option with Ayton and Booker. He doesn’t have to live up to being a true 4th pick. He shouldnt feel that much pressure being the fourth option... last night needs to be every night. Come on Bender!

Looked quite a bit better to me last night. Pretty aggressive driving, ended up going to the line 7 times, had 10 pts, 5 boards and an assist in 17 minutes.

[JMac1]

I mean come the frick on?!? Don’t be a passive wuss! Make some threes and play some defens. If you have a lane, take it. Dude is a perfect fourth option with Ayton and Booker. He doesn’t have to live up to being a true 4th pick. He shouldnt feel that much pressure being the fourth option... last night needs to be every night. Come on Bender!

Looked quite a bit better to me last night. Pretty aggressive driving, ended up going to the line 7 times, had 10 pts, 5 boards and an assist in 17 minutes.

As soon as he came in he looked totally different from the previous game. He is such a head scratcher