Dragan Bender News, Discussion and Highlights

[jinn]

instead of this pointless comparing with Papagiannis can someone write some real info about his status?
Will he play again this season or not?

[Sunsss]

instead of this pointless comparing with Papagiannis can someone write some real info about his status?
Will he play again this season or not?

We're waiting some kind of announcement from the team as well, but if he's gonna play we'll probably know hours before his first game.

[RicardoQuaresma]

Croatian national team coach said few things about Dragan, the most important one is that his medical from today was great, so he will start with full practice.

[Damkac]

Do you guys think Bender can play the 5 in the future if he is working on his body? Or will Chriss be a better fit at the 5 with Bender at the 4? This would allow us to let Len go.

Would love a lineup of Bledsoe/Booker/Jackson/Chriss/Bender with TJ of the bench.

I'd say Bender at 5 because he has a longer reach and moves quicker and can alter shots just by stretching his arms in front of his man, and Chris at 4 as a weak side helper with crazy jumps to block whatever passes Bender.

I don't like the idea of making Bender a center. He is so unique because with his height he is so quick, can shoot, defend smaller players and handle the ball. Heavier, slower Bender playing under the basket is just another average center.

[MathiasPW]

Do you guys think Bender can play the 5 in the future if he is working on his body? Or will Chriss be a better fit at the 5 with Bender at the 4? This would allow us to let Len go.

Would love a lineup of Bledsoe/Booker/Jackson/Chriss/Bender with TJ of the bench.

I'd say Bender at 5 because he has a longer reach and moves quicker and can alter shots just by stretching his arms in front of his man, and Chris at 4 as a weak side helper with crazy jumps to block whatever passes Bender.

I don't like the idea of making Bender a center. He is so unique because with his height he is so quick, can shoot, defend smaller players and handle the ball. Heavier, slower Bender playing under the basket is just another average center.

I see positions more focused on defense, as you'll notice from the situation I created on my description. Definitely don't want him to be a banger in the post.

[NTB]

Do you guys think Bender can play the 5 in the future if he is working on his body? Or will Chriss be a better fit at the 5 with Bender at the 4? This would allow us to let Len go.

Would love a lineup of Bledsoe/Booker/Jackson/Chriss/Bender with TJ of the bench.

I'd say Bender at 5 because he has a longer reach and moves quicker and can alter shots just by stretching his arms in front of his man, and Chris at 4 as a weak side helper with crazy jumps to block whatever passes Bender.

I don't like the idea of making Bender a center. He is so unique because with his height he is so quick, can shoot, defend smaller players and handle the ball. Heavier, slower Bender playing under the basket is just another average center.

Well, Bender staying at the corner is not useful either. He can play the ball distributor role like Bogut, Gasol etc. if he plays at C. Also he can play pick and pop like Frye. Center is the best position for Bender on the long run imo as he will get stronger.

[Saberestar]

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He's shooting and doing some jogging, according to Watson. Doesn't sound very close.

[bwgood77]

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[NTB]

Which one should we believe?

[Saberestar]

Which one should we believe?

Both are true.

He is ealthy enough to start training. But from start training to play in a regular season game..... it is not a short period of time.

[NTB]

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[darealjuice]

I was hoping to see him play the last 10 or so games, but since we're already there I'll settle for anything. I suspect we might see him once this road trip ends. I just hope he's used this time off the court to work on his body a bit, but it'll take time to see results from a kid as tall and lanky as him.

One thing to keep in mind is that he's still younger than or about the same age as a lot of prospects projected in our range. He's younger than Josh Jackson, younger than Lonzo Ball, younger than Jonathan Isaac, younger than Lauri Markannen, only 1 week older than DSJ, and 1 month older than Fox, 2.5 months older than Malik Monk, 3.5 months older than Jayson Tatum, 6 months older than Markelle Fultz. Still plenty of time for him.

[MrMiyagi]

I was hoping to see him play the last 10 or so games, but since we're already there I'll settle for anything. I suspect we might see him once this road trip ends. I just hope he's used this time off the court to work on his body a bit, but it'll take time to see results from a kid as tall and lanky as him.

One thing to keep in mind is that he's still younger than or about the same age as a lot of prospects projected in our range. He's younger than Josh Jackson, younger than Lonzo Ball, younger than Jonathan Isaac, younger than Lauri Markannen, only 1 week older than DSJ, and 1 month older than Fox, 2.5 months older than Malik Monk, 3.5 months older than Jayson Tatum, 6 months older than Markelle Fultz. Still plenty of time for him.

Which is why I made my sig.

[TOO]

Still cant believe people want to trade him or Chriss for Markkanen.

[LukasBMW]

I was hoping to see him play the last 10 or so games, but since we're already there I'll settle for anything. I suspect we might see him once this road trip ends. I just hope he's used this time off the court to work on his body a bit, but it'll take time to see results from a kid as tall and lanky as him.

One thing to keep in mind is that he's still younger than or about the same age as a lot of prospects projected in our range. He's younger than Josh Jackson, younger than Lonzo Ball, younger than Jonathan Isaac, younger than Lauri Markannen, only 1 week older than DSJ, and 1 month older than Fox, 2.5 months older than Malik Monk, 3.5 months older than Jayson Tatum, 6 months older than Markelle Fultz. Still plenty of time for him.

That's insane honestly.

We're really going to have 2 high potential rookies next year. Our 2017 pick and Bender.

[MrMiyagi]

Still cant believe people want to trade him or Chriss for Markkanen.

Personally, I would love to have all three. If we don't get Fultz/Ball/Jackson/Tatum, I want Markkanen.

[lilfishi22]

I'd rather he sit out the final stretch than play 1-3 meaningless games when he's not 100%.

[Thespianoid]

If he returns, when he returns, I really hope the Suns don't park him in the corner as a floor spacer. That's not his game at all.

If Watson/coaches are willing to experiment, to give a leash, I'd suggest letting Dragan be a primary facilitator in the half court from the high post, as well as the freedom to grab and go off defensive rebounds. Need off-ball cuts and general movement though and I think Booker/Warren/Chriss can do this pretty well. I honestly think your offense will take another step if you allow this to happen. Booker is great on-ball in PnR situations, but also off-ball as he works off screens/handoffs. Chriss is already a lob and cutting threat. Cannot see how this would be a negative.

[NTB]

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[MrMiyagi]

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The Savior of my Dynasty season.