RealGM 2016 Fan Forum Mock Draft - BOS #3

[Laimbeer]

Bender in a landslide. Thanks for playing, and good luck in the draft.

[SmartWentCrazy]

If you want an elite shooter, draft Bender. His stroke from outside is money.

If Ainge trades the #3 pick, it's 95% or better than the team acquiring it will use it on Bender.

His stroke must be money like RJ Hunters, where it looks nice but the stars just don't point to him being anywhere near an 'elite shooter':

http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=004549&seasoncode=JT12

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dragan-Bender-62877/

http://www.basketball-reference.com/euro/players/dragan-bender-1.html

http://basket.co.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=03&TeamId=950&cYear=2016&cView=1&lang=en

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gamecent/p/pid/6058533/playerview.html

All of the scouting reports comparing Dragan to Porzingas mention how Dragan is a much inferior shooter to Porzingas. You may have seen some YouTube clips where his shot looks pretty (they typically do when they only show makes), but I'll trust the quantitative facts and qualitative facts from people who have scouted him far more than you or I.

[DK-All Day]

Bender is the obvious pick here

[BRUNiNHO91]

If we don't take Bender, I won't cry about it. I think his potential is worth investing in, but I also see the other side of the coin and why they would want someone who's more developed and ready to contribute. In that case, I'd be fine with Murray, Dunn, Hield or Brown, in that order. (FWIW: Murray is nothing like James Young. Young can't create a shot for himself consistently on an NBA level if his life depended on it, lol.)

James Young can create plenty of shots. The problem is, they don't go in.

Once Bender steps into the NBA as an 18 year old rookie playing against elite NBA level competition like he has never seen before, I have a feeling his shots won't go in much either. Much like Young, it will take time.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

Bend it for Bender, Baby
highest upside,
most dangerous pick though,
but you can't live without taking some risks...

[jirrit]

Hm, weird we're that much on the Bender-wagon. I'm really, really not sold on him. Plus he'd have to be stashed. No thanks.

[Fencer reregistered]

I could see a Dirk/Love kind of draft scenario here -- take Bender, then trade down with somebody who is able to snag the Cs' real target, e.g. Hield.

Of course, you don't do that unless you're willing to get "stuck" with the guy you actually draft.