Dragan Bender no longer a Draft and Stash candidate

[Tr1boy]

I just do not believe that Bender is light years ahead of Porzingis. If he was, 1) he'd be playing in actual games; 2) he'd be producing in actual games; and 3) he'd be in strong consideration for the #1 overall pick.

Yes.

I think ppl want to believe he is a high level prospect in case we miss on the first two

This is not a very strong draft imo. Lots of upside to get excited about.  But not coupled with accomplishments

There is no Anthony Davis, Towns  etc

We can only hope our pick (Nets) pans out. 

I'm still big on Sabonis though some ppl think it's laughable he gets picked before 10. 

[TheSundanceKid]

When comparing the two you have to remember that Bender is coming out at the age of 18, where Porzingis came out at 19

Yeah, and Porzingis played more in a stronger league in his age 18 season. Your point?

The extra year here was only relevant to the extent to which it provided 35 more games' worth of scouting material.

I just do not believe that Bender is light years ahead of Porzingis. If he was, 1) he'd be playing in actual games; 2) he'd be producing in actual games; and 3) he'd be in strong consideration for the #1 overall pick.

For both of these I would say Bender has spent some time injured this year which impacted the number of games played. Also the coach seemed to overvalue experienced players on that team despite Bender outperforming them in practice, it is what it is. Likely a factor in why he wants to come over this year.

To say Porzingis played in a harder league at 18 is only slightly correct. Bender played 10 games in the Euroleague and Eurocup this year. When Porzingis was 18 he played in 0, all his games were in the ACB. So yes the ACB is harder than the Israeli league but it is not harder than the Euroleague or Eurocup.

[Evantime34]

I just do not believe that Bender is light years ahead of Porzingis. If he was, 1) he'd be playing in actual games; 2) he'd be producing in actual games; and 3) he'd be in strong consideration for the #1 overall pick.

The key qualifying statement is at the same age. Givony said Bender was light years ahead of where Porzingis was at the same age. Since Porzingis came out at 19 he's not comparing Bender to Porzingis the year Porzingis was drafted but the year before.

When Porzingis was 18 he thought about coming out but decided to stay in europe because he couldn't receive a lottery promise. What Givony says makes more sense if you compare Bender to the guy who couldn't get a promise in the lottery, then went back to Europe, improved and became a top 3 pick.

What I find most interesting about Bender is the potential I see in him. His fluidity of movement is of the type that you rarely see from 7 footers. Combine his fluidity with his length, reports of his motor/toughness and that's a player who I think has a world of potential.

Since I see the Celtics as having a competitive advantage developing prospects due to coaching, having an established system and a quality locker room I want to see Boston select the highest upside prospect available. Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

[Who]

Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

Jaylen Brown?

[Evantime34]

Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

Jaylen Brown?

I like Bender more because I have more faith in him developing a quality jump shot, but Brown is definitely in the conversation.

[Smart457]

I don't understand the Bender comparisons to Olynyk.

Bender is quicker, more agile, has more length and plays grittier.

[Smart457]

Bender will be a future all star in this league. It will be a big mistake to pick Hield or the other next tier guys over him.

[kozlodoev]

Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

Jaylen Brown?

I like Bender more because I have more faith in him developing a quality jump shot, but Brown is definitely in the conversation.

Bender is already shooting 45% from three; that's practically all he does for Maccabi. Developing a jumpshot is not his issue -- developing everything else is.

[RockinRyA]

Isn't he basically Kelly Olynyk with a cooler name?

No. KO is cooler

[Roy H.]

Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

Jaylen Brown?

I like Bender more because I have more faith in him developing a quality jump shot, but Brown is definitely in the conversation.

Bender is already shooting 45% from three; that's practically all he does for Maccabi. Developing a jumpshot is not his issue -- developing everything else is.

Where are you seeing that stat?

I've only seen his EuroCup / EuroLeague / U18 / Maccabi (junior) stats, all of which ranged from "not that good" to "downright terrible" from outside.

EDIT: Nevermind, found it.

http://basket.co.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=03&TeamId=950&cYear=2016&cView=2&lang=en

[Tr1boy]

Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

Jaylen Brown?

I like Bender more because I have more faith in him developing a quality jump shot, but Brown is definitely in the conversation.

Bender is already shooting 45% from three; that's practically all he does for Maccabi. Developing a jumpshot is not his issue -- developing everything else is.

Where are you seeing that stat?

I've only seen his EuroCup / EuroLeague / U18 / Maccabi (junior) stats, all of which ranged from "not that good" to "downright terrible" from outside.

EDIT: Nevermind, found it.

http://basket.co.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=03&TeamId=950&cYear=2016&cView=2&lang=en

Slowe setup before releasing the ball too.  Like jerebko. Might be slower

[Evantime34]

Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

Jaylen Brown?

I like Bender more because I have more faith in him developing a quality jump shot, but Brown is definitely in the conversation.

Bender is already shooting 45% from three; that's practically all he does for Maccabi. Developing a jumpshot is not his issue -- developing everything else is.

Where are you seeing that stat?

I've only seen his EuroCup / EuroLeague / U18 / Maccabi (junior) stats, all of which ranged from "not that good" to "downright terrible" from outside.

EDIT: Nevermind, found it.

http://basket.co.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=03&TeamId=950&cYear=2016&cView=2&lang=en

Slowe setup before releasing the ball too.  Like jerebko. Might be slower

Do you have a youtube clip to back this up? The upside motor guy said his release was good and from the videos I've seen his release looks pretty quick.

[Tr1boy]

Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

Jaylen Brown?

I like Bender more because I have more faith in him developing a quality jump shot, but Brown is definitely in the conversation.

Bender is already shooting 45% from three; that's practically all he does for Maccabi. Developing a jumpshot is not his issue -- developing everything else is.

Where are you seeing that stat?

I've only seen his EuroCup / EuroLeague / U18 / Maccabi (junior) stats, all of which ranged from "not that good" to "downright terrible" from outside.

EDIT: Nevermind, found it.

http://basket.co.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=03&TeamId=950&cYear=2016&cView=2&lang=en

Slowe setup before releasing the ball too.  Like jerebko. Might be slower

Do you have a youtube clip to back this up? The upside motor guy said his release was good and from the videos I've seen his release looks pretty quick.

Slow release, soft
http://youtu.be/vhREj9q-UpM

[Evantime34]

Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

Jaylen Brown?

I like Bender more because I have more faith in him developing a quality jump shot, but Brown is definitely in the conversation.

Bender is already shooting 45% from three; that's practically all he does for Maccabi. Developing a jumpshot is not his issue -- developing everything else is.

Where are you seeing that stat?

I've only seen his EuroCup / EuroLeague / U18 / Maccabi (junior) stats, all of which ranged from "not that good" to "downright terrible" from outside.

EDIT: Nevermind, found it.

http://basket.co.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=03&TeamId=950&cYear=2016&cView=2&lang=en

Slowe setup before releasing the ball too.  Like jerebko. Might be slower

Do you have a youtube clip to back this up? The upside motor guy said his release was good and from the videos I've seen his release looks pretty quick.

Slow release, soft
http://youtu.be/vhREj9q-UpM

This indicates that him catching the ball standing straight up slows down his shot. That doesn't mean his release is slow, just that it is slower than it could be. More importantly this can be fixed extremely easily before he catches the ball.

In fact, if you watch his release in this video from this season (as opposed to the weakness video from before the season where they used last season's video), he does a good job of bending his knees before receiving the pass and thus speeding up his release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJD9kPQNdJ4&nohtml5=False

I do agree that his release looks soft, but somehow I don't think that's what you meant.

[Tr1boy]

Outside of Ingram/Simmons I don't see a prospect with more upside than Bender.

Jaylen Brown?

I like Bender more because I have more faith in him developing a quality jump shot, but Brown is definitely in the conversation.

Bender is already shooting 45% from three; that's practically all he does for Maccabi. Developing a jumpshot is not his issue -- developing everything else is.

Where are you seeing that stat?

I've only seen his EuroCup / EuroLeague / U18 / Maccabi (junior) stats, all of which ranged from "not that good" to "downright terrible" from outside.

EDIT: Nevermind, found it.

http://basket.co.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=03&TeamId=950&cYear=2016&cView=2&lang=en

Slowe setup before releasing the ball too.  Like jerebko. Might be slower

Do you have a youtube clip to back this up? The upside motor guy said his release was good and from the videos I've seen his release looks pretty quick.

Slow release, soft
http://youtu.be/vhREj9q-UpM

This indicates that him catching the ball standing straight up slows down his shot. That doesn't mean his release is slow, just that it is slower than it could be. More importantly this can be fixed extremely easily before he catches the ball.

In fact, if you watch his release in this video from this season (as opposed to the weakness video from before the season where they used last season's video), he does a good job of bending his knees before receiving the pass and thus speeding up his release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJD9kPQNdJ4&nohtml5=False

I do agree that his release looks soft, but somehow I don't think that's what you meant.

He avoids physical contact