My bold Dragan Bender comparison

[coffee425]

Tim Duncan.

I guess this shows how much I like this kid. Emphasis on kid (18 on 2016 Draft night). Likely he'll be stashed in Europe due to contract, but this will give him plenty of time to physically develop.  His scouting tapes show a very fundamentally sound player, with above average athleticism, and elite size. All of which sounds a lot like a former Wake Forest star.

Fundamentally Sound:

• Great court vision
• Solid shooting stroke
• Developing post-up and face-up game
• Good rebound technique but currently too weak

Above Average Athleticism:

• Able to switch and guard perimeter players effictively
• Fluid and runs like a gazelle in transition
• Quick bounce, but not high bounce

Elite Size:

• 7'0 tall, 7'2 wingspan
• 9'3 standing reach, my goodness
• Needs more weight, going to 245lbs is very realistic

Top 10 definitely, top 5 definitely, top 3 maybe.

[apc]

He doesn't get a lot of minutes at Maccabi, I wonder why.

[coffee425]

He doesn't get a lot of minutes at Maccabi, I wonder why.

Maybe just lack of trust in youth? Not sure, but he had a good showing recently.
http://upsidemotor.com/2015/12/07/euroleague-week-8-dragan-bender-shines-maccabi-nba-draft/

[Quetzalcoatl]

It's cool that Maccabi is at least average in the Euroleague, but the Israeli league is pretty bad.  I love prospects out of the Greek, French and Spanish leagues so much more though.  This kid couldn't get into the rotation until recently, I don't know.  I wouldn't mind him 8th or 9th, but I would take Brown, Dunn and Poeltl ahead of him.

[coffee425]

It's cool that Maccabi is at least average in the Euroleague, but the Israeli league is pretty bad.  I love prospects out of the Greek, French and Spanish leagues so much more though.  This kid couldn't get into the rotation until recently, I don't know.  I wouldn't mind him 8th or 9th, but I would take Brown, Dunn and Poeltl ahead of him.

Keep in mind, his contract will probably keep him around for at least another year after he's drafted. Maybe they'll trust him to play him.

[kozlodoev]

He doesn't get a lot of minutes at Maccabi, I wonder why.

Because he's 17?

[Future Celtics Owner]

Kristaps has been playing very well for a knicks frontcourt that is not deep at all. I wish he was a Celt and he prob could have been if we did what I repeatedly say....I think I'll make it my motto. But now everyone will be throwing Dirk comparisons around or other comparisons for every prospect from Europe.


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

Anyway, he does not have the length of Kristaps and prob not Duncan. To say that he has elite size depends on what position he will play.For a pf  a 7'2'' wingspan is very good but also common enough and not elite. The 9'3'' standing reach is impressive. But he really needs to get measured somewhere besides Eurocamp or outside of Europe, there is always the combine.

He is very young, having just turned 18 less than a month ago, so he should be able to make improvements with his body. Right now he is just 216lbs and has a 27inch max vert with a 24 inch no-step. I have to admit that I need to do more research on him. I stopped caring about him a year ago when his other measurements were in and he was projected as a center.

[CFAN38]

I really like Bender but I don't see the Duncan Comp. From the little of Benders' game I have been able to watch on line his skill set/style of player is more in line with the euro style ball handling stretch 4 then Duncan's post heavy game.

[The One]

That is bold.  I'm no expert but I don't see it either.

But I like him and I would take him too.  Understanding that he needs to develop...might take longer than James Young... ...oh the horror of slow and steady progress!

[arctic 3.0]

I like, of course the pessimist in me worries about the level of talent he's facing and limited minutes he's playing and the resulting lack of opportunity for thorough evaluation and has bad dreams about Darko 2.0

[kozlodoev]

27inch max vert with a 24 inch no-step.

That's worse than Sullinger. Ouch.

[Csfan1984]

Kind of too young to call but right now I'm going to say he is more like Paul Millsap. He is decent at scoring and defending as well as the good feel for the game. But he doesn't look great at anything IMO.

[Who]

I thought Bender was meant to be a perimeter big. Like Bargnani.

Is that wrong? Is he an interior player? Interior + perimeter play?

[Csfan1984]

From the little I have watched Bender doesn't have the offensive shooting of Bargs but is probably already a better defender with better court vision.

[slamtheking]

27inch max vert with a 24 inch no-step.

That's worse than Sullinger. Ouch.

that can't be right.  that max vert was worse than mine at that age.