Dragan Bender News, Discussion and Highlights

[Phoenix-Sons]

I heard on a Podcast with Dave King of BrightSide that one of the reasons Chriss was starting over Bender was the fact that Chriss has a fire to him that Bender doesn't. I was kind of dumbfounded that that's our coaches reasoning for that because every game when they both play Bender makes the better plays and is the better player overall. This is also someone that's very high on Chriss as well.

Chriss has a mean streak and many they felt they needed some toughness. Bender still deserves to start though. Ultimately I don't mind who starts as long as Bender gets a lot of playing time. With the second unit, it's good to have another passer since both Bledsoe and Booker can pass when they want to in the second unit. They should let Bender facilitate and hit Dudley, Knight and Barbosa for open 3s (assuming Tucker is gone) and then if Knight is gone, Ulis takes his place.

That sounds like a good plan, but we'll see if that comes to fruition.

[LacosteM]

I heard on a Podcast with Dave King of BrightSide that one of the reasons Chriss was starting over Bender was the fact that Chriss has a fire to him that Bender doesn't. I was kind of dumbfounded that that's our coaches reasoning for that because every game when they both play Bender makes the better plays and is the better player overall. This is also someone that's very high on Chriss as well.

If this isn't the most laughable reasoning I've ever heard... It's simply mind-boggling that Watson is determining PT off of his subjective character judgment, rather than actual performance.

What does "having a fire" even mean? Whenever I see them play it always looks like Bender is giving his maximum effort, whereas there are times Chriss completely gives up on plays.

[Qwigglez]

I heard on a Podcast with Dave King of BrightSide that one of the reasons Chriss was starting over Bender was the fact that Chriss has a fire to him that Bender doesn't. I was kind of dumbfounded that that's our coaches reasoning for that because every game when they both play Bender makes the better plays and is the better player overall. This is also someone that's very high on Chriss as well.

If this isn't a most laughable reasoning I've ever heard... It's simply mind-boggling that Watson is determining PT off of his subjective character judgment, rather than actual performance.

What does "having a fire" even mean? Whenever I see them play it always looks like Bender is giving his maximum effort, whereas there are times Chriss completely gives up on plays.

100% agreed.
I think the "fire" he is referring to is Chriss just showing emotions. It's kind of a double edged sword IMO because Chriss has shown emotions in a negative way by not getting back on defense and giving up on plays too (examples that I have seen).

[Damkac]

I guess Tim Duncan wouldn't leave the bench on this team lol

[kennydorglas]

I heard on a Podcast with Dave King of BrightSide that one of the reasons Chriss was starting over Bender was the fact that Chriss has a fire to him that Bender doesn't. I was kind of dumbfounded that that's our coaches reasoning for that because every game when they both play Bender makes the better plays and is the better player overall. This is also someone that's very high on Chriss as well.

If this isn't a most laughable reasoning I've ever heard... It's simply mind-boggling that Watson is determining PT off of his subjective character judgment, rather than actual performance.

What does "having a fire" even mean? Whenever I see them play it always looks like Bender is giving his maximum effort, whereas there are times Chriss completely gives up on plays.

It's extra tough for laid back people (aka Bender) to prove his worth in the NBA.
Remember when we put a red flag on Kawhi because he was sweating too much in his jacket? lol

[sleepyvato]

Bender's a special prospect, he might not ever be a superstar but he's got the potential to be an All-Star someday and one that can do so much on the court in every phase of the game.

If there's one player on the Suns that I wouldn't trade no matter what, it's Bender. Everyone else is expendable for the right price.

[werder13]

How is this on 0:44 mark ruled as two points

Watch on YouTube

[Andre Roberstan]

FWIW, from what I remember Presti had Bender as his top prospect in this last draft. If I want to know who's going to probably be solid in the draft, it's normally worth looking at guys that Presti or Tim Connelly are interested in—most of those guys have at least stuck in the league.

Knew who Porzingis was 2 years before Phil Jackson melted everyone's brain in the draft by taking him because of that. Think Bender's going to be good. Teams that do heavy Euro scouting liked him.

[kennydorglas]

FWIW, from what I remember Presti had Bender as his top prospect in this last draft. If I want to know who's going to probably be solid in the draft, it's normally worth looking at guys that Presti or Tim Connelly are interested in—most of those guys have at least stuck in the league.

Knew who Porzingis was 2 years before Phil Jackson melted everyone's brain in the draft by taking him because of that. Think Bender's going to be good. Teams that do heavy Euro scouting liked him.

Yeah, I remember Presti going crazy on Porzingis in 2014... if he declared that year, he'd be in OKC for sure.
Spurs loved Dragan too.

[Saberestar]

“You see Dragan, and it’s so funny just watching him in the game sometimes,’’ Watson said.

“Sometimes you have to just fall in love with reality. Dragan is so skinny compared to Pau Gasol and he’s fighting him on the post. And then he gets a deflection and you look in Dragan’s eyes and you see this sense of conviction that ‘I’m capable,’ or’ I’m ready,’ or ‘I’m competitive,’ or ‘It’s not going to be that easy.’’

Bender – listed at 225 pounds – knows teams will continue to target him.

"That’s what happens to rookies in the first year, especially with me,'' he said. "I’m not in a physical position to battle these guys at some point. Definitely, it’s an experience for me to learn how to use my body to learn how to defend those guys."

"He's coming out and playing hard," Suns forward P.J. Tucker said. "He listens. As a rookie, that's all you can ask for."

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2017/01/01/suns-rookie-dragan-bender-growing-experience/96065716/

[sunskerr]

Does anyone else think Bender added some muscle? He doesn't look like he's about to drop dead anymore in my opinion. Maybe it's the camera but he looks much better proportioned now than Porzingis.

[bwgood77]

Does anyone else think Bender added some muscle? He doesn't look like he's about to drop dead anymore in my opinion. Maybe it's the camera but he looks much better proportioned now than Porzingis.

There was mention before that he spends more time in the weight room than anyone, so I'm sure he has added some, particularly since he doesn't play a ton of minutes every night that would burn a load of calories.

[carey]

Does anyone else think Bender added some muscle? He doesn't look like he's about to drop dead anymore in my opinion. Maybe it's the camera but he looks much better proportioned now than Porzingis.

I've always thought he was meatier than Porzingis. Even before the draft. The word I would use is lean. His form is so pretty and his footwork so solid that there's no doubt he's going to be at least "good." There's the real possibility he can be something great though. He's got to get stronger and of course more confident. He's a rare specimen though that can guard 3-5 and is a legit 7' tall with a 7' 2" wingpsan.

Anyway, proof of what I'm talking about.

This year.



Last year.



He's not as thin as people claim imo.

Porzingis at 19...

[ATTL]

He's got pretty good quads, especially for a lanky dude.

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

Hopefully we don't have to wait six years to see that.

[sunskerr]

Read on Twitter

Hopefully we don't have to wait six years to see that.

Here's the full quote for context:

#Suns coach Earl Watson said, "By the time Dragan Bender is 25, he can be a point-forward or even a point-center...

...over my dead body"

[Qwigglez]

Watch on YouTube

[Qwigglez]

Bender when given over 20 minutes a game (6 games total, small sample size).
8.5 points, 4.5 boards, 1 assist, 1 block, .66 steals per game. 25 minutes per game
3.3/6.5 FGM/FGA = .512 FG% 1.67/3.83 3FGM/3FGA = 43% 3FG%

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Bender when given over 20 minutes a game (6 games total, small sample size).
8.5 points, 4.5 boards, 1 assist, 1 block, .66 steals per game. 25 minutes per game
3.3/6.5 FGM/FGA = .512 FG% 1.67/3.83 3FGM/3FGA = 43% 3FG%

In contrast with Tjarks' takedown of our rookies' shooting abilities, I've been very encouraged. Dragan's shown the ability to come in and immediately start hitting threes. He doesn't get a lot of shots within the rhythm of the offense - largely because of strength issues - but he hits that 3 nevertheless. What's more, he has a very quick release that resembles a guard's - I could imagine him one day curling off perimeter screens and knocking down jumpers. Chriss, meanwhile, has shown the ability to hit from anywhere on the perimeter. One can only believe that their consistency will improve over time.

[sunskerr]

Bender when given over 20 minutes a game (6 games total, small sample size).
8.5 points, 4.5 boards, 1 assist, 1 block, .66 steals per game. 25 minutes per game
3.3/6.5 FGM/FGA = .512 FG% 1.67/3.83 3FGM/3FGA = 43% 3FG%

In contrast with Tjarks' takedown of our rookies' shooting abilities, I've been very encouraged. Dragan's shown the ability to come in and immediately start hitting threes. He doesn't get a lot of shots within the rhythm of the offense - largely because of strength issues - but he hits that 3 nevertheless. What's more, he has a very quick release that resembles a guard's - I could imagine him one day curling off perimeter screens and knocking down jumpers. Chriss, meanwhile, has shown the ability to hit from anywhere on the perimeter. One can only believe that their consistency will improve over time.

Holy smokes. Those stats and breakdown are literally exactly how I played during my first rec league tournament I hadn't played any sort of league ball for 4 years so I felt like a rookie (I'm still reasonably young at 24), at 6'1" I'm a thinner build (like Dragan) and the old guys on the team want me off because I'm soft (like Watson sort of). I'm rooting even harder for Dragan now.

For the record I think the ability and poise he shows when he checks in is great. He needs more minutes though. I've been getting more high on Dragan within the last month and those minutes he gets leaves us wanting more. His style of play is perfect for modern basketball. I just hope we get a coach which can place him a position which takes advantage of his abilities with more ball movement and less guard-run isolations.