Dragan Bender News, Discussion and Highlights

[jcsunsfan]

He was the only guy that could contain RHJ's drives to the basket when the Nets went small. Len/Chandler had no business of trying to stay in front of an athletic wing. Bender's ability to switch and guard smaller, athletic payers is perfect for today's game. I'm consider putting him ahead of Jackson in the Suns' ranking of their young core.

There was one advanced stats site, can remember which, that said that Bender has he most potential of any of our young players, and it wasn't even that close.

fivethirtyeight

Yup. That's it.

[Foliohattu]

Small sample size warning, but the team has been so much better with him on the floor.

[NTB]

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[NTB]

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[bwgood77]

I could have sworn there was a post in here about the best two or three man defensive combos on the floor with Bender being in like the top 3 but don't see it. Don't see it in the trade thread either. Anyone know what thread that was in?

[Jay_Sizzle]

Bender has a super high ceiling. The way he moves for a 7-footer makes him totally unique. Similar to Porzingis, but so much quicker. I think he will be a key part of the future. I would definitely move Chriss over him if I had to move one in a trade.

[Jstock12]

I think Dragan will be sort of a hybrid between Porzingis and Jokic.

[bobbeaver]

I think defensively he will be so much better in a couple of seasons, but the most dramatic improvement will be offensively. On D he just has that perfect calm smart mindset and with speed increase and strength it can only get easier for him. He is still sooo young. On O he still doesnt have that offensive aggressive mindset (still not super sure of himself not wanting to screw up) where u automatically react and move to get open and attack the rim or to get to a position to shoot easier shots (like Porzingis alot of the time, his offensive movement confuses the defenders especially when defenders are switching, he doesnt stop just flows). Once he gets that flow he has on defense added with being far more aggressive he ll b amazing. Given his height and speed. ofc alot of it depends on his 3ball pct to keep defenders honest. But i can see that happening in next coupla years.

[Damkac]

If he and JJ won't develop into very good players Suns will have a big problem. I don't have much hopes with Chriss.

[kennydorglas]

I have very little doubt that Dragan will be super good.
JJ is kinda a wildcard because his temper is really explosive. If he uses it for his good, no one can stop him.
But this can drag him down, like it's happening with Chriss.

[bwgood77]

He already has smart feet on defense: (video in link) He can keep quicker guys in front of him; in time, he and Chriss could make for a switchy power forward-center combination. Bender understands his long arms allow him to stray a bit further on help assignments -- even from the strong-side corner, usually a no-no -- and recover in time:

On offense, Bender will probably be a complementary player who spots up, cans enough 3s, and blows by guys rushing to close out on him. He's a good passer already, with some quirky runners in his bag.

The 3-point shot hasn't come yet, but Bender is a teenager. Give it time. It's just unclear how dynamic he can be creating with the ball. He's not an explosive athlete.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21339847/zach-lowe-phoenix-suns-eric-bledsoe-devin-booker-nba

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

There was a play in the first half where Whiteside was trying to back Bender down and Dragan didn't give an inch. I was impressed - didn't realize Dragan had that kind of strength.

Looks to me like Dragan's a 4/5, while Chriss is a 4. Long-term, I think Chriss rather than Bender should be the sixth man.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Of the non booker young guys I have the most faith in bender being a quality NBA rotation guy. The little things he does well are things that lead to a guy who helps you on the court.

Now of the chriss, jackson, bender trio he's probably the guy I have the least hope of ever being a really dynamic offensive player. He just isnt explosive enough to really dominate or score at a high clip. To me he's more the super role player 12 points a game type who compliments the guys around him.

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[jcsunsfan]

Of the non booker young guys I have the most faith in bender being a quality NBA rotation guy. The little things he does well are things that lead to a guy who helps you on the court.

Now of the chriss, jackson, bender trio he's probably the guy I have the least hope of ever being a really dynamic offensive player. He just isnt explosive enough to really dominate or score at a high clip. To me he's more the super role player 12 points a game type who compliments the guys around him.

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My "hope for the future" list in order, on the Suns roster is:

1. Booker
2. TJ (kind of a sure thing, but his ceiling is lower than others)
3. Jackson (he is just getting started
4. Bender (his defense is there)
5. Ulis (quality back up)
6. Chriss (looking like a bust)
7. Reed (nothing really to go on)
8. Peters (this kid can shoot)
9. Alex Len (this ship has already sailed. Even if he develops, he is already gone from here. No player signs the qualifying offer and stays)

No. MIke James is not on the list. He is end of bench material.

[Damkac]

What position he should play? PF or center?

[jcsunsfan]

What position he should play? PF or center?

pf/c. Pau Gasol type.

[kennydorglas]

He needs more elbow touches w/ some strong side action.
Give him options and let him make the best decision possible

[Saberestar]

What position he should play? PF or center?

pf/c. Pau Gasol type.

I remember Pau Gasol when he was 20...the difference is huge. Gasol was EXPLOSIVE and had good moves around the rim (great hook, for example).

I understand that you are talking just about their similar positions on the court, I know, but just to find the name of Pau Gasol around Bender is enough for me to disagree...at least for what I have seen until now.

Bender is not gonna be explosive but he needs to learn some moves in the post, at least one go to move.

The bad news are that it looks like this is not on his DNA, and that is a big problem because those things are so difficult to change... he feels that he is a perimeter player on offense.

[thapharcyd]

Bender needs to just start being aggressive offensively. Demand the ball, and go score. I think he is too timid out there!

[jcsunsfan]

There was a play in the first half where Whiteside was trying to back Bender down and Dragan didn't give an inch. I was impressed - didn't realize Dragan had that kind of strength.

Looks to me like Dragan's a 4/5, while Chriss is a 4. Long-term, I think Chriss rather than Bender should be the sixth man.

Dragan is going to add strength nicely. Look at the difference in Porzingis between last year and this year.