Is Dragan Bender a bust?

[RaptorsJunkie]

Do bears **** in the woods?

No they don't.

[Baz]

Dirk became a star in year two. Sucked year one. What’s a good parallel here?

Dragan Bender... Dirk Nowitzki........

[JermaineOYea]

What are your thoughts? My take is that he’s 7ft1 and basically doesnt offer anything much outside of shooting 3’s.

Asking if a 20 year old is a bust. Awful thread

Normally I'd agree with this sentiment. But this kid looks absolutely terrible every time I've seen him play.

"Bust" is too strong a word right now, but I'd say it's 99 percent more likely that he becomes a bust than him becoming the next Dirk. Hell, even the next Markannen.

[Spens1]

look at everyone else from 1-7. Everyone else is starting and doing pretty well (even Dunn who was written off is doing nicely).

Bender has come in far too raw, also his lack of any ability around the rim or willingness to attack the basket is holding him back massively, he has the tools but mentally he doesn't have it.

[GrandTheftRondo]

Not a bust but highly doubt he ever lives up to being pick 4. I still laugh when Boston were bashed my the media and their own fans because we drafted Jaylen Brown over Bender and Dunn.

[GrandTheftRondo]

How could he be a bust if he wasnt thought of much to begin with. He was chosen because Suns wanted a Porzingis type and so far he isnt that good but he is young and Draymond Green was terrible his first 2 years.

Draymond was a solid role player by year two and was earning minutes with his defensive ability.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Same answer as Marvin Williams.

[Trippinskarlo]

I still like him as a potential starter. he was extremely raw and has shown flashes. He may not justify his drafting position but I'm still higher on him than most. Give him until the end of his rookie deal.

[sunsbum]

Bender was never drafted to be the next dirk, he was always seen as a super role player like a Andre Kirilinko Swiss army knife glue guy. When he adds more weight and gets a few more years of experience he'll be fine.

[FutureKnicksGM]

Modern day Vesley.

Can still be a solid role playing big as a 5th starter. Needs to keep improving that 3 ball.

[Mr Burns]

He is still 20 years old and in his second year in the NBA just stfu and give the kid time to develop. Judge him at the end of his rookie deal.

[Slava]

He plays like he's afraid of contact - which just doesn't work for a big man in the NBA.

Yeah this is the biggest red flag. The dude is so young that calling him a bust is premature but he was advertised as someone who could hang with guards on switches and be a defensive weapon but so far he seems to avoid contact and strictly launch uncontested 3s from where no one can touch him.

Phoenix's player development has been ass as well with a revolving door of coaching changes.

[UcanUwill]

Ummm... incidentally, where is that Hartenstein dude right now?

Drafted by Rockets, and plays for their G league team. Putting decent stats in 19 minutes per game, obviously a long way to go, but he showing flashes of legit passing, rebounding and efficient scoring at 7 feet tall.

You mean he is in the states? I thought he was a draft and stash pick? Isn't he like 21 or so already?

Yes, he is in the states and he is 19 years old.

[RookieStar]

oh ok.Thanks. I was and still am curious about him cuz he was my bet on my Magic's many 2nd round picks.

Also back on topic. Give him a chance. Look whats happening to Mario right now. It took how many years before he is playing how we thought he would play. Bender is what? 19 or 20 right? He just needs the mindset that ge can bang down low. I mean look at our rookie Isaac right now. He is practically a 220lb beanpole yet playing D and bumping and grinding is what he does best. It's all in the mind lol

[Lalouie]

Sounds more like the name of a villain in a bond movie,,, or maybe G. O. T.

[The_Hater]

While it’s too early to say he’s a complete bust, it’s not to early to say that he’s not the future superstar/allstar many had him pegged to become. He looks very limited right now.

[Bogyo]

Bad coaching and injury for the better part of his first year cost him a lot I believe. He is unlikely to become a superstar, but he can become something like Kirilenko, or a better Frye, or something like his childhood hero Kukoc. I know they are different players and outcomes, but it's just a way to show how many possibilities he still has infront of him. He is only 20, and again, he was injured for an extended period of time last year, got joga lessons instead of coaching from that idi*t Watson, who was in love with Chriss and dogged Bender for whatever reason.
Kid shoots well, passes well, awareness is good, help/team defense is OK. So he got ways to go, OK - it's up to the Suns to make and help him reach his potential, which is a good 4th 5th guy on a contender I believe.

[Darth Celtic]

What are your thoughts? My take is that he’s 7ft1 and basically doesnt offer anything much outside of shooting 3’s.

Asking if a 20 year old is a bust. Awful thread

Anthony Bennett was a bust at 19 and everyone knew it and discussed it. Not sure your point here.

[UcanUwill]

What are your thoughts? My take is that he’s 7ft1 and basically doesnt offer anything much outside of shooting 3’s.

Asking if a 20 year old is a bust. Awful thread

Anthony Bennett was a bust at 19 and everyone knew it and discussed it. Not sure your point here.

Bennett was special case of terrible. Bender looked ok yesterday.

[BHF]

Reminds me a lot of Bargs and now he is being coached by Triano lol