Dragan Bender News, Discussion and Highlights

[TOO]

Dragan Bender.......the forgotten man. I still have faith in this guy.

Uhhh... Forgotten? By whom?

I think most normie fans have forgotten him. If you have more than a thousand posts on an internet message board you're probably not a normie fan.

Gambo was lol'ing at the idea of Bender playing lg/point forward yesterday.

You can't expect casuals to follow like a message board fan. Casuals don't care, they just show up for the t-shirts. So if Bender is forgotten among the casuals, that's not surprising, most of them couldnt name 5 players on the team.

[Foliohattu]

Suns want him to develop, and see meaningful playing time, without risking injury too much. For a 19year old kid, the eurobasket backup PF/SF is a perfect opportunity for this. He should learn from the vets, and feast on the other, less talented subs.
I'll be watching for sure.

Is there a way to watch in the states?

I'm sure some sports channel in US is going to show it, otherwise, there will be plenty of streaming opportunities. Keep in mind the time zone though

Totally OT but: I already have a ticket for Finlands opening game against France. Too bad Gobert won´t be playing, but maybe Markkanen vs Boris

[JoRain]

Is there a way to watch in the states?

I'm sure some sports channel in US is going to show it, otherwise, there will be plenty of streaming opportunities. Keep in mind the time zone though

Totally OT but: I already have a ticket for Finlands opening game against France. Too bad Gobert won´t be playing, but maybe Markkanen vs Boris

yeah, my team is playing in Turkey. definitely NOT going there. French will have an interesting team, not as menacing as years past, will see what Kopponen and Markkanen can do together, with a bunch of american Finn's

Might recommend attending also friendly with Latvia on 29th of July. Chance to see KP, Bertans (Spurs) and Pasecniks (76ers).

[NTB]

Watch on YouTube

[Qwigglez]

I love watching his highlights. The kid has the tools to be a very unique player in the NBA. I've mentioned this before, but I can watch him launch threes all day. Very beautiful smooth jumper. I wouldn't be surprised to see him connect on 40% of his 3's at some point in his career (this year would be great!). He just needs to get stronger so he can finish in the paint. A couple of those highlights had him drive and take a baby jumper.

[jcsunsfan]

Bender has one of the quickest releases I have ever seen. Many times he catches the ball and goes straight to his release without bringing the ball down at all. He has special skills, especially for his age. But this offense needs to move players rather than just leaving a player camped for a corner three.

Bender needs to play this year. A lot. If we have to dump Len to do it. Ok.


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[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Bender has one of the quickest releases I have ever seen. Many times he catches the ball and goes straight to his release without bringing the ball down at all. He has special skills, especially for his age. But this offense needs to move players rather than just leaving a player camped for a corner three.

Bender needs to play this year. A lot. If we have to dump Len to do it. Ok.

Agreed. It's weird to me that so many fans and sportswriters don't see it. The quick release may be the most exceptional single skill, but the quick passes and superb off-ball defense tell you that this kid's mind moves at a click faster than most. I don't know what position he plays, but he needs to play.

[Qwigglez]

Amazing analysis.

Watch on YouTube

[JMac1]

Bender needs to show me something. He can start by not dribble they way Robin Lopez runs, hunched over. Play aggressive defense, reb, outlet passes, half court ball movement passes, switch effectively and make 3's. That's it.

Our hierarchy should become (based off each reaching potential)

1.Booker
2.JJ
3.Chriss
4.Bender

TJ is the wild card. He could become number 3....

[DaleyBlind]

He is getting the Bust tag from a few places now after his 2 summer league games

[lilfishi22]

He is getting the Bust tag from a few places now after his 2 summer league games

He's certainly playing like one right now. Same with Chriss

[Veggamattic]

He is getting the Bust tag from a few places now after his 2 summer league games

He's certainly playing like one right now. Same with Chriss

He is very disappointing to watch. He is the player that never wins the battle for the loose ball...doesn't quite get the block...steps out of bounds...he plays like a loser. There is nothing about him that says, I should get minutes for a team that wants to win. He needs to play exclusively in the G League. He may show some potential but he is nowhere close to NBA ready yet. I don't think he is very bright...he is constantly making the wrong play or finding a way to screw up. He doesn't have the same twinkle in his eye that a guy like Porzingas has. Play him if you want to tank because he won't help you win games.

[carey]

He is very disappointing to watch. He is the player that never wins the battle for the loose ball...doesn't quite get the block...steps out of bounds...he plays like a loser. There is nothing about him that says, I should get minutes for a team that wants to win. He needs to play exclusively in the G League. He may show some potential but he is nowhere close to NBA ready yet. I don't think he is very bright...he is constantly making the wrong play or finding a way to screw up. He doesn't have the same twinkle in his eye that a guy like Porzingas has. Play him if you want to tank because he won't help you win games.

Thank you for the thoughtful analysis.

[Veggamattic]

He is very disappointing to watch. He is the player that never wins the battle for the loose ball...doesn't quite get the block...steps out of bounds...he plays like a loser. There is nothing about him that says, I should get minutes for a team that wants to win. He needs to play exclusively in the G League. He may show some potential but he is nowhere close to NBA ready yet. I don't think he is very bright...he is constantly making the wrong play or finding a way to screw up. He doesn't have the same twinkle in his eye that a guy like Porzingas has. Play him if you want to tank because he won't help you win games.

Thank you for the thoughtful analysis.

I thought he would be good...I wanted him to be good...I was wrong though...he is bad. I'm won't call him a bust because he is just too young and maybe age combined with culture shock is the problem but I would be happily surprised if he turned into a top 5 pick type player...ever.

[batsmasher]

He is very disappointing to watch. He is the player that never wins the battle for the loose ball...doesn't quite get the block...steps out of bounds...he plays like a loser. There is nothing about him that says, I should get minutes for a team that wants to win. He needs to play exclusively in the G League. He may show some potential but he is nowhere close to NBA ready yet. I don't think he is very bright...he is constantly making the wrong play or finding a way to screw up. He doesn't have the same twinkle in his eye that a guy like Porzingas has. Play him if you want to tank because he won't help you win games.

Thank you for the thoughtful analysis.

I thought he would be good...I wanted him to be good...I was wrong though...he is bad. I'm won't call him a bust because he is just too young and maybe age combined with culture shock is the problem but I would be happily surprised if he turned into a top 5 pick type player...ever.

As carey said, we appreciate your analysis.

I came into this thread expecting a bad post... I was wrong though... this is great. I'm won't call this the greatest post in this thread, but maybe with time people will begin to appreciate it and perhaps call it a top 5 post in this thread.

I wish one day I can have the twinkle in my eye like Porzingis. That's when I know I've made it.

[jcsunsfan]

I am now completely convinced of Bender>Chriss. Bender just needs the minutes and the conditioning. He seems to start games well but struggles in the second half.

Bender is superior to Chriss as a passer, shooter, and defender. If he can start rebounding, the competition is done. Chriss will have to be content to start alongside of Bender at best.

It will be interesting to see if Watson can get over his prejudice against Bender. I think it is real. Let me put it this way. If there is one player on this roster that Popovich would love to get his hands on, its Bender.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I am now completely convinced of Bender>Chriss. Bender just needs the minutes and the conditioning. He seems to start games well but struggles in the second half.

Bender is superior to Chriss as a passer, shooter, and defender. If he can start rebounding, the competition is done. Chriss will have to be content to start alongside of Bender at best.

The most concerning thing with Chriss at this point is the defense - it was nowhere in SL, because of his slow feet. The allure with Chriss was the defensive potential, combined with the shooting and finishing potential on offense. Right now, I don't feel good about him as a defender or as a finisher.

I do expect that this will all blow over by the start of the season and that Chriss will be back to the level he was at last season. But that's still not what we've been hoping for.

Excited about Bender. I'm hoping that we're just getting a glimpse of the player he will be. He still has a long ways to go, though.

[Qwigglez]

I think with most overseas player, it's all about confidence. KP came in with this IDGAF kind of attitude. Len came in being soft and scared, and someone mentioned in another thread that his former coach thinks he just needs confidence and you'll see a completely different player. I believe that is true for both Len and Bender.
We need to have plays setup for Bender. I'm tired of seeing him parked in the corner or just as a floor spacer. He looked really good in this last summer league game. I know it's summer league but I think he can do a lot of that in actual NBA games.

[batsmasher]

All Bender optimists can join me at Bender's Theme Park with blackjack and hookers.

Screw Waiters Island. Bender's Theme Park is all the rage.

[darealjuice]

I mean Bender has played timid, but to say he plays like a loser is seriously overplaying it lol. Can't say I understand how you think he "always makes the wrong play or screws things up" either, I feel basically the opposite... that sounds way more like Chriss than Bender to me.