#3 pick

[Ben-N1ce]

Just for reference, Dragan Bender's stat is updated at REALGM site
http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Dragan-Bender/Summary/41582

So far he played 27 games in local league
14.2 MPG
5.3 PPG
2.85 BPG
46.7 FG%
39.0 3P%
0.74 APG
0.63 SPG
0.89 BPG
0.59 TPG

Per 36 minutes
13.4 PPG
7.23 BPG
1.87 APG
1.59 SPG
2.26 BPG
1.49 TPG

While the score/rebound is not very charming, I like the Steal, Blocks and Turnovers number.

By the way, I also have a feeling Brown is very similar to Jeff Green, who will have a very long NBA career but never reach their potential.

Bender also fouls a lot but take what I say with a grain of salt because I don't think he will be good especially on offense.

[cellar-door]

Just for reference, Dragan Bender's stat is updated at REALGM site
http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Dragan-Bender/Summary/41582

So far he played 27 games in local league
14.2 MPG
5.3 PPG
2.85 BPG
46.7 FG%
39.0 3P%
0.74 APG
0.63 SPG
0.89 BPG
0.59 TPG

Per 36 minutes
13.4 PPG
7.23 BPG
1.87 APG
1.59 SPG
2.26 BPG
1.49 TPG

While the score/rebound is not very charming, I like the Steal, Blocks and Turnovers number.

That has disappointment written all over it.

If it helps it's right around, maybe a little better than what Porzingis was doing at the same age (Porzingis was a bit older, but in a bit better league), not many Euro players are putting up big numbers (even per 36) at 18 because of both playing time and team role.

[Kenhov]

Just for reference, Dragan Bender's stat is updated at REALGM site
http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Dragan-Bender/Summary/41582

So far he played 27 games in local league
14.2 MPG
5.3 PPG
2.85 BPG
46.7 FG%
39.0 3P%
0.74 APG
0.63 SPG
0.89 BPG
0.59 TPG

Per 36 minutes
13.4 PPG
7.23 BPG
1.87 APG
1.59 SPG
2.26 BPG
1.49 TPG

While the score/rebound is not very charming, I like the Steal, Blocks and Turnovers number.

You keep ion bringing up Porzhingis as if its a natural progression that one tall white guy is going to be like the next one.

It doesn't work like that. I see potential but also ALOT of bust in Bender.

That has disappointment written all over it.

If it helps it's right around, maybe a little better than what Porzingis was doing at the same age (Porzingis was a bit older, but in a bit better league), not many Euro players are putting up big numbers (even per 36) at 18 because of both playing time and team role.

[EJay33]

Tell me more. DX and bbref have 7 Euroleague games and 3 eurocup games listed as his stats for the 2015-2016 season. Years ago I actually watched some of this stuff, but can't say I have checked out a euroleague game since Bodiroga was ripping our own Paul Pierce to pieces in the WBC. Upon googling I am seeing the stats you're giving me - 15 MPG and 5.3 PPG. Are you able to clarify for the brain dead amongst us (aka me) what the difference between these stats are and the euroleague stats (on bbref) are? Different leagues?

I do agree that Euro pro ball is a tougher animal than D1 college ball. However, I do feel as though Bender's pro prospects remain a projection, and are not based on production to date. Even when Porzingas came over he was a year older and had legitimately produced in Europe. We're basically going off of Bender being as good/better than Porzingas at a similar age, in a similar, limited role. However, there is no guarantee that he makes the leap that Porzingas made and the NBA is not going to be a nurturing environment for his development in year 1.

Even the stat geeks who account for the differences in competition between college/euro pro ball have been identifying a tier 1 that includes Simmons/Ingram and then a swift drop off after that. The pro ball thing in Europe is actually being taken into account and from what I'm reading Bender still rates below these two as a prospect.

Well I'm not going to claim being an expert on anything Bender related, but I will say it's pretty common to cite incorrect stats on him. Bender actually averaged 5.3 PPG in 14 MPG in the Israeli League.

[Bluewhale]

Tell me more. DX and bbref have 7 Euroleague games and 3 eurocup games listed as his stats for the 2015-2016 season. Years ago I actually watched some of this stuff, but can't say I have checked out a euroleague game since Bodiroga was ripping our own Paul Pierce to pieces in the WBC. Upon googling I am seeing the stats you're giving me - 15 MPG and 5.3 PPG. Are you able to clarify for the brain dead amongst us (aka me) what the difference between these stats are and the euroleague stats (on bbref) are? Different leagues?

The Euro pro-basketball has different system from U.S. For example, Maccabi belong to Israeli League, but there are Euroleague which invited top teams from all european local leagues to compete for each other. It operates like the soccer system. (All losing clubs in the Euroleague Qualifying Rounds parachute into ULEB's second-tier Eurocup)

As far as I know, the competition in Israeli league is weaker than the Euroleague and Eurocup.

Maccabi is also regarded as the SUPER POWER in the Israeli league . It is expected to be the winner of Israeli league every season, because their buget is higer than the rest of teams. However, Maccabi had a bad season (early exit in Euroleague and Eurocup) and had very high pressure to won the Israeli league.

So that's why we have three league stats. Why do I show the Israeli league only? Because Porzingas didn't played Euroleague and Eurocup in his age 18 season.

I do agree that Euro pro ball is a tougher animal than D1 college ball. However, I do feel as though Bender's pro prospects remain a projection, and are not based on production to date. Even when Porzingas came over he was a year older and had legitimately produced in Europe. We're basically going off of Bender being as good/better than Porzingas at a similar age, in a similar, limited role. However, there is no guarantee that he makes the leap that Porzingas made and the NBA is not going to be a nurturing environment for his development in year 1.

Bender 2015/16 season, Israeli, Maccabi. Age 18. 27 games, 14.2 minutes.
Per 36 minutes
13.4 Points
7.23 Rebounds
1.87 Assists
1.59 Steals
2.26 Blocks
1.49 Turnovers
6.34 Fouls
46.7 FG%
39.0 3P%

Bender 2015/16 season, All league, Maccabi. Age 18. 37 games, 12.7 minutes.
12.1 Points
6.83 Rebounds
1.84 Assists
1.44 Steals
2.21 Blocks
1.53 Turnover
6.76 Fouls
42.0 FG%
35.0 3P%

Porzingis 2013/14 season, ACB, Sevilla. Age 18(three month older than Bender). 35 games, 15.2 minutes
Per 36 minutes
16.34 Points
6.63 Rebounds
0.71 Assists
1.42 Steals
2.13 Blocks
1.89 Turnovers
6.39 Fouls
47.4 FG%
30.2 3P%

As far as eye ball check, Bender and Porzingis age 18 season are comparable.
According to the study how NCAA player translate to NBA, they found steal/block/turnovers are good indicator to success.
So that's why I said I like the Assists/Steals/Blocks/Turnovers number from Bender.

Porzingis came to NBA draft at 2014, but could not secure a high draft guarantee and withdraw.
(There are rumor Ainge guarantee Porzingis at #17, Hawks guarantee Porzingis at #15.
Apparently Ainge refused to offer guarantee at #6)

Yes, there is no guarantee Bender will make the same leap like Porzingis at age 19. (So there is still risk)
But the stats so far should not be interpreted as a negative. Bender is not worse than Porzingis at age 18.
I agree the sample size is small as Chad Ford wrote
"Meanwhile, teams are frustrated with his lack of minutes this season"

"NBA is not going to be a nurturing environment for his development in year 1"
For this argument, the Super Power Maccabi in Euro-system is also not a nurturing environment for young player development. They need to win NOW, even more than Celtics.

Even the stat geeks who account for the differences in competition between college/euro pro ball have been identifying a tier 1 that includes Simmons/Ingram and then a swift drop off after that. The pro ball thing in Europe is actually being taken into account and from what I'm reading Bender still rates below these two as a prospect.

I think you refer this article.
http://nyloncalculus.com/2016/05/23/who-should-the-celtics-take-with-the-third-pick-in-the-2016-nba-draft/
True, I agree the Simmions/Ingram are consensus top 2.
But I also believe Bender is the co-leader in the next tier, if not the leader.
Finally, what we have is 3rd pick. So the drop-off after top 2 is irrelevant to who we picked.

[Bluewhale]

http://www.basketsession.com/actu/celtics-pencheraient-dragan-bender-326111/
Danny Ainge went to Tel Aviv on Thursday for talks with Dragan Bender, Croatian prodigy Maccabi he could drafter with the 3rd pick in a month.

[Turgon]

On /r Bostonceltics there is a thread with full games on youtube featuring Bender. A nod to all the contributors in there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF46QgcN9Tg
14 minutes, 2 points (1/3 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 blocks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1ghnv0XiiU
block at 18:52

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srLVX4FBZh4
13 minutes, 5 points (1/2 FG, 2/2 FT ), 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 1 block

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAGgiyNCTqs
19 minutes, 8 points (2/4 FG, 3/3 FT), 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 assists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIwJ0bULpUc
5 minutes, 0 points (0/1 FG), 1 rebound, 2 steals, 1 assist, 1 turnover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNsE3DPKtrs
11 minutes, 9 points (3/5 FG), 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 assist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6WxsHBbiHc
22 minutes, 10 points, (3/5 FG, 2/2 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 2 assists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8SsEYntUPM (BEST GAME BY FAR)
29 minutes, 16 points (4/9 FG, 5/6 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 3 steals, 1 block

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNaId1mLxQ0 (Another good one)
22 minutes, 11 points, (4/8 FG, 1/2 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH-HdVQoJyM
23 minutes, 11 points (4/7 FG), 5 rebounds, 1 steal

Note to mods: if you feel this post is against the rules, please remove it and accept my apologies.

[tlee324]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8SsEYntUPM (BEST GAME BY FAR)
29 minutes, 16 points (4/9 FG, 5/6 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 3 steals, 1 block

Nice game, but it was against Key and Peele, lol



(edit: I know he's on his team, just having some fun lol)

[Murta]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/AdamMKaufman/status/738421076364001280[/tweet]

Adam Kaufman @AdamMKaufman
Brad Stevens told me recently, as a coach, he'd prefer #Celtics trade No. 3 pick for established NBA player, but he trusts in Danny Ainge.

I hope they know what they'll be doing because Cs future hinges on #3 and 2017 Nets pick.

[Banks2Pierce]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/OBMcfly/status/738417323074330624[/tweet]

Haha. Oh, Brad.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Stevens has learned how to talk out of both sides of his mouth. I love it.

[165bows]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/OBMcfly/status/738417323074330624[/tweet]

Haha. Oh, Brad.

I got to hear part of this on the way back to work.

He said that so far he likes a lot of the players in this draft but is still just "scratching the surface" on getting to know the players or whatever. He also said, when asked what he preferred the team do with the pick -and paraphrasing here - 'the thing with this pick is that it needs to turn into a really good NBA player. If it is someone we draft, obviously there is more patience that needs to be involved. And if we trade the pick, we would need to get a really, really good NBA player in return for it.'

That last part isn't perfect but is pretty close.

[LarryBirdsFingr]

Kaufman is like kinda like the little middle school brother you convince to shotgun a beer for the first time at the high school party lol, from personal experience.

[Murta]

Unless Timberwolves completely miss out on evaluation, you can bet Thibs will coach up his pick to holly hell. And thus make us feel very stupid if we don't draft a future star.

[TheMartian]

I don't think there is any doubt that Danny's Plan A is to lure Durant in free-agency, so that means packaging the #3 with other assets to land a stud to pair with KD. If KD stays in Oklahoma City or goes somewhere else, then Plan B should be to keep the pick and try to land Durant again in 2017.

Jumping the gun and trading for an all-star like Butler just for the heck of it and without the assurance that the Celtics can make any more moves to bring them into title contention will be the biggest mistake Danny can make IMO. The Celtics will have wasted its treasure trove of assets and get stuck in mediocrity especially if getting someone like Butler would mean the 2017 or 2018 BKN picks are involved.

In short, I hope Danny has this in mind:

Plan A: Try to land Durant and build a contender around him using the C's assets in 2016 or in 2017

Plan B: If Durant stays in OKC or goes elsewhere, keep the draft picks and build through the draft. We will be able to get good players in 2016, 2017 and 2018 through the Brooklyn picks (plus, we still have the Memphis unprotected in 2019?).

Plan C: And I hope there IS a Plan C, would be something totally unexpected, like landing Anthony Davis as improbable as it may be.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Danny doesn't screw this up.

[ConstableGeneva]

If we're going by anagrams, I'd stay away from Dragan Bender. His name spells out ENDANGER BRAD! Red flag right there.

[Marley2Hendrix]

If we're going by anagrams, I'd stay away from Dragan Bender. His name spells out ENDANGER BRAD! Red flag right there.

Beer and Drag?

Oh, Dragan, such varied interests, my man.

[neno]

If we're going by anagrams, I'd stay away from Dragan Bender. His name spells out ENDANGER BRAD! Red flag right there.

OK you started it
Greg Oden = Green God
Go get 'em Danny

[Disinformation]

Unless Timberwolves completely miss out on evaluation, you can bet Thibs will coach up his pick to holly hell. And thus make us feel very stupid if we don't draft a future star.

If only we had a highly regarded coach who could "coach up his pick to holly[sic] hell."

[Murta]

Unless Timberwolves completely miss out on evaluation, you can bet Thibs will coach up his pick to holly hell. And thus make us feel very stupid if we don't draft a future star.

If only we had a highly regarded coach who could "coach up his pick to holly[sic] hell."

That's true but Thibs is on another level of squeezing out every possible atom of power out of his players (which is why post-Rose injury they've fallen apart in postseason when it's more about talent).