The Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Tyler Ulis highlight/homer thread

[Cactus Jack]

You can't throw them to the wolves...these guys are freshmen in college age...and raw..give them minutes but don't destroy their confidence.

Let them battle it out. No need to bring in a vet to take away minutes imo. You would be delaying their development.

No, it would destroy their confidence. Both of these guys are WAY too raw. You should know that with Chriss as lost as he looked in college he can't start in the nba. Bender might be more ready but I want them to earn it against vets and not be handed anything.

Which was my biggest issue with drafting both of them. Draft & play them or don't draft them.

[Cactus Jack]

McDonough said they're a long way away from being NBA ready right now.

That's GM talk for downplaying "rookie expectations". Both could & should play a lot. Its not like this is a contending team as is. Let them play.

I've watched too many young guys get their confidence destroyed by doing that. These guys will come along fine...no need to rush it. They will not develop faster from playing....at least not yet...that works if you are not this raw, but not with these guys.

See my response above.

[bwgood77]

Let them battle it out. No need to bring in a vet to take away minutes imo. You would be delaying their development.

No, it would destroy their confidence. Both of these guys are WAY too raw. You should know that with Chriss as lost as he looked in college he can't start in the nba. Bender might be more ready but I want them to earn it against vets and not be handed anything.

Which was my biggest issue with drafting both of them. Draft & play them or don't draft them.

Well most of us accept where we are and are ready to rebuild. We didn't want to make a patchwork lineup with Buddy Hield and Barnes to get the 8th seed and would like to start from the ground up like OKC did when they moved the team from Seattle.

[Cactus Jack]

No, it would destroy their confidence. Both of these guys are WAY too raw. You should know that with Chriss as lost as he looked in college he can't start in the nba. Bender might be more ready but I want them to earn it against vets and not be handed anything.

Which was my biggest issue with drafting both of them. Draft & play them or don't draft them.

Well most of us accept where we are and are ready to rebuild. We didn't want to make a patchwork lineup with Buddy Hield and Barnes to get the 8th seed and would like to start from the ground up like OKC did when they moved the team from Seattle.

I'm totally on board with the youth movement. I would just rather see the young players/rookies play right away. No need to delay the inevitable in my mind. Go young (much like OKC tried to do, as you mention).

[WeekapaugGroove]

It's hard to tell now how much either guy could/should play. If they look over matched then you should let them get killed out there. But if they seem at all ready then by all means they should play. Guys need minutes to develop and learn from mistakes. Chriss probably has the better chance of playing early because he's more physically ready.

[Zelaznyrules]

Let them battle it out. No need to bring in a vet to take away minutes imo. You would be delaying their development.

No, it would destroy their confidence. Both of these guys are WAY too raw. You should know that with Chriss as lost as he looked in college he can't start in the nba. Bender might be more ready but I want them to earn it against vets and not be handed anything.

Which was my biggest issue with drafting both of them. Draft & play them [b]or don't draft them[/b].

There always comes a point where a young player needs court time in order to develop but there's a lot of developing that has to occur before that happens. Neither of these players look like they are at the stage where court time is the one thing they need for that next step. They have a whole lot of learning to do before they'll need significant NBA minutes. And anyone that thinks we're just going to give up on the idea of winning games clearly hasn't been paying attention the last several years.

[Cactus Jack]

No, it would destroy their confidence. Both of these guys are WAY too raw. You should know that with Chriss as lost as he looked in college he can't start in the nba. Bender might be more ready but I want them to earn it against vets and not be handed anything.

Which was my biggest issue with drafting both of them. Draft & play them [b]or don't draft them[/b].

There always comes a point where a young player needs court time in order to develop but there's a lot of developing that has to occur before that happens. Neither of these players look like they are at the stage where court time is the one thing they need for that next step. They have a whole lot of learning to do before they'll need significant NBA minutes. And anyone that thinks we're just going to give up on the idea of winning games clearly hasn't been paying attention the last several years.

I get it. Doesn't mean, I agree with it though.

[bwgood77]

It's hard to tell now how much either guy could/should play. If they look over matched then you should let them get killed out there. But if they seem at all ready then by all means they should play. Guys need minutes to develop and learn from mistakes. Chriss probably has the better chance of playing early because he's more physically ready.

Are you sure you wrote that second sentence exactly how you meant it? Because one missed word can basically turn the sentence kind of against what you might have intended.

[bwgood77]

Which was my biggest issue with drafting both of them. Draft & play them [b]or don't draft them[/b].

There always comes a point where a young player needs court time in order to develop but there's a lot of developing that has to occur before that happens. Neither of these players look like they are at the stage where court time is the one thing they need for that next step. They have a whole lot of learning to do before they'll need significant NBA minutes. And anyone that thinks we're just going to give up on the idea of winning games clearly hasn't been paying attention the last several years.

I get it. Doesn't mean, I agree with it though.

A lot of people agree with not trying to win games, but my argument about not playing them as starters is for their sake...I think it would hurt them more than help them to throw them in there to start....I mean they wouldn't know what the hell to do and would wilt, especially Chriss. Bender would probably figure it out, but it's too quick for him too.

[Qwigglez]

Curious what people think....do you think the bust factor of both Chriss and Bender decreases a bit because they are not alone as new young bigs in the league and have each other? If they have a tough time or get frustrated or depressed or overwhelmed or whatever (like many others have like Kwame Brown and countless others) they can talk each other up. Plus I really think Watson is much better for two young guys like this than a guy like Thibs would be. Don't get me wrong, I think Thibs is a better and a great coach, but he is not the type of guy these guys need.

I think if Booker's work ethic and maturity rub off on Chriss and Bender who really knows what they are capable of. I think they may be able to bring out the best in each other if they all start clicking. I think in maybe 3 years we'll have Chriss being able to play SF. I know the league is going small, but if we ran the opposite direction and go big while still being able to run maybe we'll start a new trend.

[MrMiyagi]

Anyone see the Suns Facebook Live Feed of Marquese Chriss? It really makes you realize how young he is. Kid seemed like he needed a nap and he has such a baby face. I don't think he's done growing - he might end up becoming a physical monster.

[Kerrsed]

One thing I'm confused about. Was Booker at the draft with Ulis or was he at Ulis's house with his family?

Ulis's house with his family.

[sunsbg]

For next season I just want signs from Bender and Chriss that they will not bust. The team will be bad, probably leading the league in turnovers with such young frontcourt and not very good PGs. The good news are that there are at least 3 very good prospects at both PG and SF positions in next year's draft. Now if only we still had the Lakers' pick...

[MrMiyagi]

For next season I just want signs from Bender and Chriss that they will not bust. The team will be bad, probably leading the league in turnovers with such young frontcourt and not very good PGs. The good news are that there are at least 3 very good prospects at both PG and SF positions in next year's draft. Now if only we still had the Lakers' pick...

No way the Lakers don't have their pick next year. I'd bet on it being top 3.

[sunsbg]

For next season I just want signs from Bender and Chriss that they will not bust. The team will be bad, probably leading the league in turnovers with such young frontcourt and not very good PGs. The good news are that there are at least 3 very good prospects at both PG and SF positions in next year's draft. Now if only we still had the Lakers' pick...

No way the Lakers don't have their pick next year. I'd bet on it being top 3.

Nothing is guaranteed, even with the worst record there is a chance they end 4th.

[Fo-Real]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAv19VpYUlo[/youtube]

This summer

[WeekapaugGroove]

It's hard to tell now how much either guy could/should play. If they look over matched then you should let them get killed out there. But if they seem at all ready then by all means they should play. Guys need minutes to develop and learn from mistakes. Chriss probably has the better chance of playing early because he's more physically ready.

Are you sure you wrote that second sentence exactly how you meant it? Because one missed word can basically turn the sentence kind of against what you might have intended.

Ha yes. Meant "shouldn't" let them get killed if they are looking over matched.

[jcsunsfan]

Booker should start. Really no need for Price (33) w/ Ulis aboard imo. Need to stick with the young core (More minutes). Bender & or Chriss should also start. They need the most minutes. Why waste minutes on Teletovic. Sorry, I wouldnt bring him back either.

lol don't ask me, McD's the guy who said he wanted to add a vet at PF.

He followed that statement with "we're not trying to be the youngest team in the league."

To come off the bench maybe. IDk. Not a fan of Tele.

Tell was one of the hardest working guys on the floor last year--even on d. This was especially apparent when watching the games in person. Funny thing is that he looks like a middle-aged construction worker.


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[Jarlaxle0204]

So happy this morning. This really feels like the start of something good again. High character guys with tons of potential. Wish summer league started tomorrow.

[Fo-Real]

Also said before, Chriss is baby face young, but comes off as a really good kid, person wise I mean.