Dragan Bender News, Discussion and Highlights

NTB · Post #361 » by **NTB** » Mon Apr 3, 2017 11:26 am

MrMiyagi · Post #362 » by **MrMiyagi** » Mon Apr 3, 2017 11:37 am

Thespianoid wrote:Question for you all that watched the game, was he just parked in the corner on most possessions again? Did the Suns get the ball in his hands at the high post/elbow a bit for once? Maybe some time as a screener/short roller?

I see he had a productive game in limited minutes in his first game back from the injury, which is always a good sign that the talent is there. There's not much to doubt on that front, but looking long-term I have significant concerns about whether or not your coaching staff/organization actually understand his skillset enough to utilize him to his fullest potential.

I know it's a bit early to be raising these concerns but up until this point, I haven't seen any signs that the Suns will do anything but make him an off-ball floor spacer. That's like making LeBron or Ben Simmons a floor spacer, or Nikola Jokic a screen/rebound/hustle big. Square peg in a round hole.

edit: looked at some play-by-play footage, nice to see Ulis looking for him on his transition rim run/post seals. Otherwise not much to go on

As someone who was almost definitively not hyped pre-draft, I am incredibly hyped (this started earlier this season, but it's getting higher and higher). I felt like you could really tell the guy has great basketball IQ. He moves to open space, there were a number of times where he called for the ball while open at the 3-point line (unfortunately Len had the ball and didn't find him), there was a moment where he saw Chriss cutting and went to pass, hesitated for a split second then threw it too late and it got turned over - but I'd chalk that up to rust and would reckon he makes that play, zero hesitation down the line. I'm not sure I'd throw him up there LeBron/Simmons/Jokic just yet, but I think his admiration for Kukoc is obvious in the way he plays. His aggression was great too. He's an 19 year old but he sure as hell didn't play like it. I remember Goran Dragic as a rookie looking like a lamb among wolves. Not this kid. Can't wait to see him live on Wednesday vs the Warriors. Too bad KD isn't going to be back by then.

ImNotMcDiSwear · Post #363 » by **ImNotMcDiSwear** » Mon Apr 3, 2017 12:37 pm

MrMiyagi wrote:
Thespianoid wrote:Question for you all that watched the game, was he just parked in the corner on most possessions again? Did the Suns get the ball in his hands at the high post/elbow a bit for once? Maybe some time as a screener/short roller?

I see he had a productive game in limited minutes in his first game back from the injury, which is always a good sign that the talent is there. There's not much to doubt on that front, but looking long-term I have significant concerns about whether or not your coaching staff/organization actually understand his skillset enough to utilize him to his fullest potential.

I know it's a bit early to be raising these concerns but up until this point, I haven't seen any signs that the Suns will do anything but make him an off-ball floor spacer. That's like making LeBron or Ben Simmons a floor spacer, or Nikola Jokic a screen/rebound/hustle big. Square peg in a round hole.

edit: looked at some play-by-play footage, nice to see Ulis looking for him on his transition rim run/post seals. Otherwise not much to go on

As someone who was almost definitively not hyped pre-draft, I am incredibly hyped (this started earlier this season, but it's getting higher and higher). I felt like you could really tell the guy has great basketball IQ. He moves to open space, there were a number of times where he called for the ball while open at the 3-point line (unfortunately Len had the ball and didn't find him), there was a moment where he saw Chriss cutting and went to pass, hesitated for a split second then threw it too late and it got turned over - but I'd chalk that up to rust and would reckon he makes that play, zero hesitation down the line. I'm not sure I'd throw him up there LeBron/Simmons/Jokic just yet, but I think his admiration for Kukoc is obvious in the way he plays. His aggression was great too. He's an 19 year old but he sure as hell didn't play like it. I remember Goran Dragic as a rookie looking like a lamb among wolves. Not this kid. Can't wait to see him live on Wednesday vs the Warriors. Too bad KD isn't going to be back by then.

What made me happiest was 2/2 on the hook shot. Dragan has touch. Alex does not. So Dragan is not only able to guard smaller players, but he is also able to punish them when he gets that mismatch. He could be a helluva weapon in a couple years.

nevetsov · Post #364 » by **nevetsov** » Mon Apr 3, 2017 1:19 pm

He first came on at SF and when he wasn't hiding in the corner he was actually running to the same spots as Len. They got in each others way on a number of occasions I thought.

When Len subbed off for Dudley and Len was free to roam inside he actually did quite a bit of damage.

Frank Lee · Post #365 » by **Frank Lee** » Mon Apr 3, 2017 1:54 pm

if he gets that little jump hook down pat, he will be virtually unguardable by non 7ftrs. The only defense is to keep him out of the paint with bulk... and eventually, he will even that out.

jcsunsfan · Post #366 » by **jcsunsfan** » Mon Apr 3, 2017 4:41 pm

NTB wrote:

Watch on YouTube

Is that jump hook of Bender's new? That is an impressive shot. It is indefensible except from the back side. Oh, I like the prospects here of running Chriss and Bender and Warren together in a fast front line. That line up has size, speed, and balanced scoring.

LukasBMW · Post #367 » by **LukasBMW** » Mon Apr 3, 2017 5:28 pm

I thought he looked really good in his first game back.

Chriss and Bender are loaded with potential.

Bogyo · Post #368 » by **Bogyo** » Mon Apr 3, 2017 8:47 pm

He looked very quick and agile for a 7 footer, even after this injury. I'm really eager to see these last 5 games or so, I have a feeling he will score 20+ in one of them. Also liked that hook.
A good pick this year by McD and we could be lethal in 3 years.

DRK · Post #369 » by **DRK** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 10:48 am

Agree with Bogyo. He looks very fluid running the floor, and looks quite comfortable on the perimeter.

Would like to see Bender have some more postups run for him in the coming games.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Saberestar · Post #370 » by **Saberestar** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 11:26 am

Bogyo wrote:He looked very quick and agile for a 7 footer, even after this injury. I'm really eager to see these last 5 games or so, I have a feeling he will score 20+ in one of them. Also liked that hook.
A good pick this year by McD and we could be lethal in 3 years.

He needs to get confortable playing with contact. It doesn't matter that he is a 7 footer if he is afraid of a hard foul or battle with physical players.

I mean, I love the player and his skillset and basketball IQ, but I am concerned about his toughness. Hopefully is just his age, and his mentality and body will change in the next few years and that would make him a more physical player to take full advantage of his size.

NTB · Post #371 » by **NTB** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 11:30 am

Saberestar wrote:
Bogyo wrote:He looked very quick and agile for a 7 footer, even after this injury. I'm really eager to see these last 5 games or so, I have a feeling he will score 20+ in one of them. Also liked that hook.
A good pick this year by McD and we could be lethal in 3 years.

He needs to get confortable playing with contact. It doesn't matter that he is a 7 footer if he is afraid of a hard foul or battle with physical players.

I mean, I love the player and his skillset and basketball IQ, but I am concerned about his toughness. Hopefully is just his age, and his mentality and body will change in the next few years and makes him a more physical player to take full advantage of his size.

The interesting thing is he doesn't shy away from contact when he is defending. I saw several times that Bender collided with opposing player in air to alter/block his shot. I think he will eventually be comfortable on offense too.

NTB · Post #372 » by **NTB** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 1:04 pm

After Houston game, I realized how much I missed Bender. He will become a really great player in this league and make everyone eat crow.

Watch on YouTube

Post #373 » by **bwgood77** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 1:46 pm

NTB wrote:After Houston game, I realized how much I missed Bender. He will become a really great player in this league and make everyone eat crow.
Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

I think many forgot without seeing him some of the good things he did and just started by default placing him below Chriss. Of course many had him below Chriss to begin with, and he was understandably behind Chriss in development, due to a myriad of factors I'm sure including new court, country, adjustment, potential language adjustments, occasionally seemingly being ignored by teammates, etc.

Personally I still think he has higher upside, though I love Chriss too. We should see things get better and better, and I wouldn't be surprised if he puts more work in the offseason. Hopefully he stays healthy and playing for his national team doesn't hurt, being back on the court. But he will be playing with Saric, if that helps. I think all our 3 year guys or less should be untouchable for now and will grow to have excellent chemistry and finally we will have a very exciting team to watch, particularly if we get Fultz or Jackson or maybe someone else.

WeekapaugGroove · Post #374 » by **WeekapaugGroove** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 3:48 pm

I don't even care about his production these last few games i just think its good for him to get back out there and trust his body that its healthy. I realize this wasnt a major injury but for a young guy theres always a bit of a mental hurdle to overcome when you get hurt. This should help him go into the offseason with a clear mind and ready to focus on improving his game.

Sent from my SM-G930V using RealGM mobile app

jcsunsfan · Post #375 » by **jcsunsfan** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 3:53 pm

He doesn't make alot of mistakes. I am not convinced the Suns half court offense makes good use of the talent we have here. The pick and roll out front with players set up in the corners just seems stagnant. I would think that, if the players could get it, a triple post type of offense would work well with the versatility of players on the team. It would suit Booker's skills too.

MrMiyagi · Post #376 » by **MrMiyagi** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 4:12 pm

jcsunsfan wrote:He doesn't make alot of mistakes. I am not convinced the Suns half court offense makes good use of the talent we have here. The pick and roll out front with players set up in the corners just seems stagnant. I would think that, if the players could get it, a triple post type of offense would work well with the versatility of players on the team. It would suit Booker's skills too.

I agree, but I did feel that Bender did a good job of not being a stagnant body, at least during his first stretch.

NTB · Post #377 » by **NTB** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 4:25 pm

Bender seemed bulked up a little bit to me. Are my eyes deceiving me?

jcsunsfan · Post #378 » by **jcsunsfan** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 5:06 pm

NTB wrote:Bender seemed bulked up a little bit to me. Are my eyes deceiving me?

Thats going to happen just because of age and maturity. Male bodies usually don't completely fill out until 22-23.

LukasBMW · Post #379 » by **LukasBMW** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 6:17 pm

Watching the Houston game, Bender seemed to get rebounds much easier then Len.

MrMiyagi · Post #380 » by **MrMiyagi** » Tue Apr 4, 2017 6:24 pm

LukasBMW wrote:Watching the Houston game, Bender seemed to get rebounds much easier then Len.

He seemed to do everything much easier than Len.

Would you bring back Bender?