Dragan Bender News, Discussion and Highlights

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Bender started, playing smart so far, one nice block, one rebound, one missed 3pt, but he got the ball down low on two occasions and used missmatch to score - 4 pts total.

BTW, Spain took 5mins to score from the field, and now prayer 3pt in last sec.

15-6 at the moment for Cro

Nice to see that more most of the game so far he had the third most minutes, until picking up his second foul late in the 2nd. Looked good on D, sticking to his man well. A couple of blocks.

I was able to watch the second half. Thought Bender looked good. Solid help D, bothered shooters, had a great pass inside. Can't rebound at this point in his career, and you wonder if that will change. Still, I was encouraged by what I saw from a 19YO.

[realEAST]

Bender started, playing smart so far, one nice block, one rebound, one missed 3pt, but he got the ball down low on two occasions and used missmatch to score - 4 pts total.

BTW, Spain took 5mins to score from the field, and now prayer 3pt in last sec.

15-6 at the moment for Cro

Nice to see that more most of the game so far he had the third most minutes, until picking up his second foul late in the 2nd. Looked good on D, sticking to his man well. A couple of blocks.

Couldn't watch the 2nd half, just now caught the last minute on a tv in a bar.

His D is pretty consistent already imo, he need some srenght not to commit so many fouls, but he started out well on offense too, just the way I'd like to see from him more often - he wad calm, but determined, took a moment to make a decision (in this case a good most of the time).

I have a feeling like he wants to make as quick decision as possible, and he is just pretty young still so it comes off like rushed and is not aways the best possible move.

When he takes a moment to survey the situation he usually makes a good call since he is smart player.

Guess it will come with experience.

[kennydorglas]

I'm kinda glad that Croatia arent overplaying him tbh.
Sucks to see getting low minutes, but he'll play a lot this season. We really need him.

[Saberestar]

Bender against Spain:

4p, 1r, 1a, 2b and 3 fouls in 19 minutes.

[sunsbg]

Bender against Spain:

4p, 1r, 1a, 2b and 3 fouls in 19 minutes.

I will be watching the game later on replay, but who did Bender guard in this game. He should have spent more time in the paint against Spain, so getting only one rebound is concerning. If I'm not wrong he had a single rebound in his last two games combined.

While he will probably end as a nice player, is anybody still counting on him to become anything close to Porzingis ?

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Bender against Spain:

4p, 1r, 1a, 2b and 3 fouls in 19 minutes.

I will be watching the game later on replay, but who did Bender guard in this game?

Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol and Willy Hernangomez.

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

[edurham88]

Read on Twitter

As someone who wants to see Bender at the 5 eventually, I enjoy him holding his own down low guarding Gasol. I know it was just one play, but if he could get to a point where he could consistently do that, that would be huge.

[bwgood77]

Bender started, playing smart so far, one nice block, one rebound, one missed 3pt, but he got the ball down low on two occasions and used missmatch to score - 4 pts total.

BTW, Spain took 5mins to score from the field, and now prayer 3pt in last sec.

15-6 at the moment for Cro

Nice to see that more most of the game so far he had the third most minutes, until picking up his second foul late in the 2nd. Looked good on D, sticking to his man well. A couple of blocks.

I was able to watch the second half. Thought Bender looked good. Solid help D, bothered shooters, had a great pass inside. Can't rebound at this point in his career, and you wonder if that will change. Still, I was encouraged by what I saw from a 19YO.

I thought he looked good today, but definitely in the first half. Barely played in the second, but played a lot in the first half.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Bender's nickname should be The Unicorn. Because most games, he shoots threes and blocks shots and does almost literally nothing else.

[TOO]

Bender's nickname should be The Unicorn. Because most games, he shoots threes and blocks shots and does almost literally nothing else.

Thats 2 things.

Twonicorn.

[Mjee]

I want to see Bender gain at least 20-30 pounds of muscle

[JoRain]

I want to see Bender gain at least 20-30 pounds of muscle

I don't, because that's when he'll become another Valanciunas or Len. He needs to add strength, but I don't want him to turn into a slow and heavy banger which will certainly happen with such a wight added. We already have (or had?) player like that - Len

I saw the game too and I liked what I saw from Dragan. Have to remember guys he's still really young. He plays for highly experienced National team where Sarič, Popovič, Ukič, Planinič, Bogdanovič are dictating things. There are only 2 players younger than 26 - Sarič who is 23 and Bender who is still 19. It's success for Bender to even make the cut on the team let alone get playing time. To bang with Euro bigs at the age of 19 is quite impressive.
What Bender needs the most is time - he needs to mature physically, become stronger and gain confidence (tough in a first year because of the adjustment Euro guys have to make). Watson needs to put Bender in positions where he's comfortable to get his confidence up and build from there. Suns need to develop him and it will take time, because big guys do take longer. RoLo needed what, 5-6 years to become good?

[sunsbg]

Read on Twitter

As someone who wants to see Bender at the 5 eventually, I enjoy him holding his own down low guarding Gasol. I know it was just one play, but if he could get to a point where he could consistently do that, that would be huge.

It's only one play in the video, but he was guarding Paul Gasol from the start quite successfully. It's pretty obvious his future is at PF/C, so the Suns better start developing him there early.

Bender + Jackson could be a nightmare for the other teams defensively. Also on offense they will probably compliment very well each other with Dragan stretching the floor allowing Josh to drive inside.

[Saberestar]

Another Bender's game in a few minutes. I will comment his performance later.

He starts.

[Saberestar]

Bender against Czech Republic...

10p, 6r, 4a, 1s and 2 blocks in 28 minutes. He got 2 fouls and 3 TOs too.

He started as a PF on an starting five without Bogdanovic and Saric. These two players played later and they changed the game so easily.

Bender played a solid game IMO.
He made some really good passes and he nailed his two 3P attempts.

He had good and bad moments on defense.He couldn't stay in front of his man for a couple of times, too quick for him, but at the same time he contested really well some long shots on the perimeter.

I think he needs to be more agressive on offense. He doesn't fight hard enough for position around the rim and he doesn't cut to the basket without the ball....too passive on the perimeter waiting for the ball. I think it it's more of a mental thing, because he was bigger and stronger than most of his defenders on this game.

Happy with his overall game today.

[Saberestar]

Watch on YouTube

[pepe1991]

I really hope that he will develop his game over time. Rebounding and some post skills would open his game a lot.

[kennydorglas]

Whew... cant wait to see Dragan and JJ initiating our offense. Damn.
This is going to be glorious

[Bogyo]

Whew... cant wait to see Dragan and JJ initiating our offense. Damn.
This is going to be glorious

IF our coaching is up to the task of using them right.