Zimmerman vs Bender

[Tr1boy]

For draft gurus/experts or you just got an opinion .   why is bender considered a top 5 prospect while Zimmerman is 15-19

Bender highlights
https://youtu.be/VYQ5TIbVsy4
http://youtu.be/U0Epg_sBZq4

Zimmerman highlights
http://youtu.be/nRueOIQZ6ts
http://youtu.be/oL1uJXfRDDo

[alldaboston]

why is bender considered a top 5 prospect while Zimmerman is 15-19

Porzingis. Put simply, if porzingis wasn't a thing, bender wouldn't be a lottery prospect.

[PhoSita]

My guess is it's because Bender looks like more of a fluid faceup 3/4, whereas Zimmerman is a pure 5 without a great jumper who only scored 10 points a game for UNLV.

Zimmerman's a year older, too, for whatever that's worth.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Porzingis and Bender are not similar prospects.  Bender has been slated as a top 5 prospect from the preseason - BEFORE Porzingis started going off.

Bender is a 7'1" 3 pt threat power forward who has played professional basketball since he was 15. 

Ellenson is a 6'10" decent prospect at center. 

[PhoSita]

why is bender considered a top 5 prospect while Zimmerman is 15-19

Porzingis. Put simply, if porzingis wasn't a thing, bender wouldn't be a lottery prospect.

I'm pretty sure Bender's been fairly high on the draft boards since before Porzingis was drafted last year.  Certainly since before Porzingis played much better than expected in his rookie season.

[footey]

Bender has more mobility, more of an outside game. Zimmerman pretty much a post up kind of guy. Isn't Bender also younger?

[loco_91]

why is bender considered a top 5 prospect while Zimmerman is 15-19

Porzingis. Put simply, if porzingis wasn't a thing, bender wouldn't be a lottery prospect.

Just not true. I wrote a post a while back on why I didn't think Bender was the clear-cut 3rd best prospect, so I'm not super high on him. But he's talented, young, great combo of quicks+length, 3pt stroke, defensive versatility, feel for the game. He's very tough and aggressive. Obvious lottery pick, the only question for me is whether he's in the same tier with Brown, Poeltl, Dunn and Murray.

[CFAN38]

others have already come in to defend Bender. Bottom line he has been watched as a big time NBA talent for a while. Draft express has him mentioned in a write up from June of 2013 when he was 15.

Porzingis has nothing to do with Benders rankings. He is a better PF prospect then anyone in this draft except Simmons.

[Who]

Defensive quickness = Bender far superior to Zimmerman

[TheSundanceKid]

Tired of the Bender bashing. You literally have nothing to add to the discussion on him except create bait threads on why American players are better. He was a big deal before Porzingis, not because of him. He's a legit run and gun swing with improving range and excellent mobility for his size. He's there for a reason

[alldaboston]

How can I save a thread? I'd like to bring this up when Bender is a bust.

Likewise, y'all can bring this comment back up if Bender becomes a good NBA player. I'll admit I was wrong.

[Csfan1984]

I was thinking about Zimmerman vs Poeltl. They are almost the same player but Poeltl is projected top 12. Zimmerman projected 23 to 28 range. Both have a mean streak and should be solid Centers. Really want C's take a lot of bigs this draft. Team needs to find their future front court players. KO, AJ, JJ, Sully and Zeller are clearly not it as none are reliable.

[CoachBo]

Tired of the Bender bashing. You literally have nothing to add to the discussion on him except create bait threads on why American players are better. He was a big deal before Porzingis, not because of him. He's a legit run and gun swing with improving range and excellent mobility for his size. He's there for a reason

LOL. Nothing like Celtics Blog fiction.

As for the comparison to Utah center, that's about right. Neither one of them are going to do anything meaningful in the NBA. Poeltl has terrible feet and there's nothing at all I like about Bender. Ainge should be immediately fired if he drafts either above 20.

[The Rondo Show]

These are some fire takes.

Seven-foot-one, 18-year olds who can handle the ball, pass with ease, block shots and stroke it from deep don't come around very often. He's a top-5 prospect in this class.

[CoachBo]

These are some fire takes.

Seven-foot-one, 18-year olds who can handle the ball, pass with ease, block shots and stroke it from deep don't come around very often. He's a top-5 prospect in this class.

Not even close, as his miserable performance overseas proves. HUGE mistake with the Celtics top pick. Think Yi. Or Why? As he's now known.