Dragan Bender

[hwangjini_1]

Bender is a stiff.

he is many things but a stiff? where do you get that from? i have only seen limited videos and analyses, but one of the things he seems to bring to the table is fluidity and ability to run the court.

can you show us the videos etc. that show he is a stiff please?

Checked his performance lately?

This would be a disastrous pick on the level of Ainge's bizarre flirtation with Yi.

Or Why? As he later became known.

Wasting a lottery pick on this guy would be grounds for firing Ainge.

thank you, but i did not see a direct response to my questions. please show the basis for your assertions of him being stiff. i can understand if folks do not like, or doubt, his skill set. but your basic point seems to be off by a wide margin and i was asking the basis for your "stiff" assertion.

[Yenohb]

I can't help but think that last nights performance from Jerebko helped to show the potential value of bender. Jerebko and bender are players cut from a simulate cloth in terms of NBA player niche. Only bender projects to the apex of this niche. Bender like Jerebko has excellent mobility for his size and has some ability both offensively and defensively to player either forward position. Now at 7'1 bender is not going to be able to guard many NBA starting SF but will be fine in switches. Something we also see in the 6'10 Jerebko.

Imagining a 7'1 Jerebko who is a better passer and better off the dribble gives me hope for bender if the Cs do not land a top two pick and can not trade for a star.

Imagine a 7'1 Larry Bird. Wow. And we can get this guy with the #3 pick? Stop the presses, we're winning the next 10 championships.

Jerebko, for the record, did horrible on switches yesterday. Every time he ended up on a guard it was pretty much a free basket for Atl. I have no idea what Brad S was thinking with this defensive plan.

Interesting opinion. I was just reading an article that said just the opposite. Except this article had actual statistics to support their position. Check it out: http://www.celticsblog.com/2016/4/23/11493502/jonas-jerebko-versatile-defense-integral-to-boston-celtics-game-3-atlanta-hawks-nba-playoffs

 What was CBS thinking?

[loco_91]

I just don't understand why people hate Bender so much. There's a solid argument that he shouldn't go top 5, but some people seem to think that he isn't even a 1st-round prospect. A few things to keep in mind with Bender: (1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences. (2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class. (3) Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans, as he doesn't have elite explosiveness and he isn't a volume scorer. But he has a skillset that can make him an extremely valuable player in the NBA, even if people will always call him a "role player" because doesn't average 20/10.

[Tr1boy]

I just don't understand why people hate Bender so much. There's a solid argument that he shouldn't go top 5, but some people seem to think that he isn't even a 1st-round prospect. A few things to keep in mind with Bender: (1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences. (2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class. (3) Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans, as he doesn't have elite explosiveness and he isn't a volume scorer. But he has a skillset that can make him an extremely valuable player in the NBA, even if people will always call him a "role player" because doesn't average 20/10.

NBAdraft has compared bender to Mirotic

A pretty good comparison if you ask me

with either of these guys you need to play them beside a legit center

[max215]

I just don't understand why people hate Bender so much. There's a solid argument that he shouldn't go top 5, but some people seem to think that he isn't even a 1st-round prospect. A few things to keep in mind with Bender: (1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences. (2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class. (3) Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans, as he doesn't have elite explosiveness and he isn't a volume scorer. But he has a skillset that can make him an extremely valuable player in the NBA, even if people will always call him a "role player" because doesn't average 20/10.

NBAdraft has compared bender to Mirotic

A pretty good comparison if you ask me

with either of these guys you need to play them beside a legit center

I think the Mirotic comparison makes zero sense whatsoever and was made solely because they're both white euros. Nbadraft.net is awful and their comparisons are laughable (Simmons and LeBron, Skal and Aldridge, etc.).

[Celtics4ever]

I just don't understand why people hate Bender so much. There's a solid argument that he shouldn't go top 5, but some people seem to think that he isn't even a 1st-round prospect. A few things to keep in mind with Bender: (1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences. (2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class. (3) Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans, as he doesn't have elite explosiveness and he isn't a volume scorer. But he has a skillset that can make him an extremely valuable player in the NBA, even if people will always call him a "role player" because doesn't average 20/10.

I posted his stats, give me a reason why I believe you over facts or why he has not performed on higher level. Stats are facts, my friend.    All I see is excuses here.

(1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences.

That is laughable.  Do tell why do more NCAA guys make it in the NBA than guys from the BSL.

(2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class

True, can't argue with that, but that does not convince me we should take him.  The same was true for James Young.   How is that working out.

(3)  Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans,

And his supporters tend to be prototype of guys, who believe hype over production and generally fact ( in this case, stats) resistant.

We won't know until he plays here, of course.   Time will tell.

[kraidstar]

I just don't understand why people hate Bender so much. There's a solid argument that he shouldn't go top 5, but some people seem to think that he isn't even a 1st-round prospect. A few things to keep in mind with Bender: (1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences. (2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class. (3) Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans, as he doesn't have elite explosiveness and he isn't a volume scorer. But he has a skillset that can make him an extremely valuable player in the NBA, even if people will always call him a "role player" because doesn't average 20/10.

NBAdraft has compared bender to Mirotic

A pretty good comparison if you ask me

with either of these guys you need to play them beside a legit center

i don't see it at all. mirotic is unathletic but skilled - VERY similar to kelly olynyk; olynyk is smarter and more efficient, but less aggressive on offense, and is a better defender but fouls more than mirotic. still very similar players though because of their body types and diverse offensive skill set.

bender is skinny and quick, more like a danilo galinari, but a couple inches taller. athleticism is good, reminds me a little of porzingis there, though we'd need to reassess that athleticism once he gains the weight he'd need for the NBA. he has some ability, but IMO he could just as easily be jujuan johnson 2.0 as he could be porzingis 2.0.

[max215]

I just don't understand why people hate Bender so much. There's a solid argument that he shouldn't go top 5, but some people seem to think that he isn't even a 1st-round prospect. A few things to keep in mind with Bender: (1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences. (2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class. (3) Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans, as he doesn't have elite explosiveness and he isn't a volume scorer. But he has a skillset that can make him an extremely valuable player in the NBA, even if people will always call him a "role player" because doesn't average 20/10.

I posted his stats, give me a reason why I believe you over facts or why he has not performed on higher level. Stats are facts, my friend.    All I see is excuses here.

(1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences.

That is laughable.  Do tell why do more NCAA guys make it in the NBA than guys from the BSL.

(2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class

True, can't argue with that, but that does not convince me we should take him.  The same was true for James Young.   How is that working out.

(3)  Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans,

And his supporters tend to be prototype of guys, who believe hype over production and generally fact ( in this case, stats) resistant.

We won't know until he plays here, of course.   Time will tell.

That's not how the strength of a basketball league is measured. The fact is that the grown men on Maccabi Tel Aviv would beat many of the top college teams, because they are fully developed, fully polished, finished products. Will everyone on Kentucky, at some point, be better than everyone on Maccabi Tel Aviv? Quite possibly. At this moment, are the players on Maccabi Tel Aviv better? Certainly.

[crimson_stallion]

I can't help but think that last nights performance from Jerebko helped to show the potential value of bender. Jerebko and bender are players cut from a simulate cloth in terms of NBA player niche. Only bender projects to the apex of this niche. Bender like Jerebko has excellent mobility for his size and has some ability both offensively and defensively to player either forward position. Now at 7'1 bender is not going to be able to guard many NBA starting SF but will be fine in switches. Something we also see in the 6'10 Jerebko.

Imagining a 7'1 Jerebko who is a better passer and better off the dribble gives me hope for bender if the Cs do not land a top two pick and can not trade for a star.

So you're saying that Dragan Bender is a better version of Jerebko - a guy who was drafted 39th overall in 2009 and hasn't averaged over 20 minutes a game since the 2011 season?

Awesome, sign me right up for that guy with my #3 pick!!!

[ederson]

That's not how the strength of a basketball league is measured. The fact is that the grown men on Maccabi Tel Aviv would beat many of the top college teams, because they are fully developed, fully polished, finished products. Will everyone on Kentucky, at some point, be better than everyone on Maccabi Tel Aviv? Quite possibly. At this moment, are the players on Maccabi Tel Aviv better? Certainly.

have you watched Maccabi this season ?

[passesofftodj]

I just don't understand why people hate Bender so much. There's a solid argument that he shouldn't go top 5, but some people seem to think that he isn't even a 1st-round prospect. A few things to keep in mind with Bender: (1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences. (2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class. (3) Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans, as he doesn't have elite explosiveness and he isn't a volume scorer. But he has a skillset that can make him an extremely valuable player in the NBA, even if people will always call him a "role player" because doesn't average 20/10.

Don't you want more than that from a top 5 pick?  Especially since his skill set doesn't project as what the Celtics are lacking coupled with the fact that he needs more development.

If he were available with our pick or the Dallas pick, but I definitely would pass in the top 5.

[kozlodoev]

I can't help but think that last nights performance from Jerebko helped to show the potential value of bender. Jerebko and bender are players cut from a simulate cloth in terms of NBA player niche. Only bender projects to the apex of this niche. Bender like Jerebko has excellent mobility for his size and has some ability both offensively and defensively to player either forward position. Now at 7'1 bender is not going to be able to guard many NBA starting SF but will be fine in switches. Something we also see in the 6'10 Jerebko.

Imagining a 7'1 Jerebko who is a better passer and better off the dribble gives me hope for bender if the Cs do not land a top two pick and can not trade for a star.

Imagine a 7'1 Larry Bird. Wow. And we can get this guy with the #3 pick? Stop the presses, we're winning the next 10 championships.

Jerebko, for the record, did horrible on switches yesterday. Every time he ended up on a guard it was pretty much a free basket for Atl. I have no idea what Brad S was thinking with this defensive plan.

Interesting opinion. I was just reading an article that said just the opposite. Except this article had actual statistics to support their position. Check it out: http://www.celticsblog.com/2016/4/23/11493502/jonas-jerebko-versatile-defense-integral-to-boston-celtics-game-3-atlanta-hawks-nba-playoffs

Except that the article (a blog post, really) has no statistics that relate to switch defense in Friday's game, of course.

It's fantastic that the author managed ti find two possessions to rub together that ended up not so well for the Hawks, but the Celtics weren't exactly containing Teague or Schroder all game (combined for ~50% shooting, 14 free throws, and 43 points in less than 55 minutes between the two of them) -- and a lot of that damage came on switched pick and rolls and drives to the basket, especially in the second half.

A good number of those switches were, in fact, unnecessary (they happened before any picks were even set, it was completely mind-boggling, really). The Hawks were very clearly looking for this when they were trying to rally themselves back into the game.

[CFAN38]

I can't help but think that last nights performance from Jerebko helped to show the potential value of bender. Jerebko and bender are players cut from a simulate cloth in terms of NBA player niche. Only bender projects to the apex of this niche. Bender like Jerebko has excellent mobility for his size and has some ability both offensively and defensively to player either forward position. Now at 7'1 bender is not going to be able to guard many NBA starting SF but will be fine in switches. Something we also see in the 6'10 Jerebko.

Imagining a 7'1 Jerebko who is a better passer and better off the dribble gives me hope for bender if the Cs do not land a top two pick and can not trade for a star.

So you're saying that Dragan Bender is a better version of Jerebko - a guy who was drafted 39th overall in 2009 and hasn't averaged over 20 minutes a game since the 2011 season?

Awesome, sign me right up for that guy with my #3 pick!!!

I am comparing the positives primarily the positional value they can both being to the court. This is similar to comparing what Ben Simmons presumed NBA role to Evan turner. Both are forwards who are best suited with the ball in their hands and struggle to shoot from the outside. The difference is Simmons is 3" taller, 25 lbs heavier and despite the size more athletic. The same can be said for my Jerebko bender comp.

[Tr1boy]

I just don't understand why people hate Bender so much. There's a solid argument that he shouldn't go top 5, but some people seem to think that he isn't even a 1st-round prospect. A few things to keep in mind with Bender: (1) the Israeli BSL is not the CBA; it compares with top NCAA conferences. (2) Bender is one of the youngest guys in the draft class. (3) Bender is the prototype of a guy who gets underrated by casual fans, as he doesn't have elite explosiveness and he isn't a volume scorer. But he has a skillset that can make him an extremely valuable player in the NBA, even if people will always call him a "role player" because doesn't average 20/10.

NBAdraft has compared bender to Mirotic

A pretty good comparison if you ask me

with either of these guys you need to play them beside a legit center

i don't see it at all. mirotic is unathletic but skilled - VERY similar to kelly olynyk; olynyk is smarter and more efficient, but less aggressive on offense, and is a better defender but fouls more than mirotic. still very similar players though because of their body types and diverse offensive skill set.

bender is skinny and quick, more like a danilo galinari, but a couple inches taller. athleticism is good, reminds me a little of porzingis there, though we'd need to reassess that athleticism once he gains the weight he'd need for the NBA. he has some ability, but IMO he could just as easily be jujuan johnson 2.0 as he could be porzingis 2.0.

and somehow bender is athletic/explosive?    Bender has poor lift.   

He can run no doubt and has wide strides but is not explosive.   He moves well for a big player but nothing exceptional

Mirotic also moves well.  Shoots the ball well (especially once his feet is set).   Has good height for a PF.  But not physical.   And that is why nbadraft I believe compared Bender to Mirotic

[vjcsmoke]

I agree that Fab Melo absolutely was a bust.  But he was taken with the #22 overall pick, not pick #3.  If you look at the 1st round picks that Danny has taken, more often than not they have worked out, even though we have been picking later in the draft, often times outside the lottery.

I do feel that Dragan Bender is a risky pick.  But that's more because of the lack of footage on him.  Yet many insist that the younger the prospect, the higher the upside, and that's what he is an 18 year old euro wonderkid. 

However the fact remains a LOT of NBA scouts are high on him, he's a consensus #3-5 pick if you check out all the mocks on the net.  So taking Bender wouldn't be some unforeseen reach out of left field.  The draft experts are mocking this guy high for a reason - upside, athleticism, size, overall package.

Bender #3 draftexpress
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dragan-Bender-62877/

Bender #4 nbadraft.net
http://www.nbadraft.net/2016mock_draft

Bender #3 Sports Illustrated
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/04/06/dragan-bender-enters-2016-nba-draft

Bender #4 Hoops Hype
http://hoopshype.com/2016/04/17/nba-mock-draft-2016/

So what? DA also thought Fab Melo would be the shot blocker and defensive player the team needed. He thought Young could be a perimeter shooting option for the team. Just cause he thinks it don't make it so.