Why we won't select Bender for us

[dannyboy35]

Earning minutes and Sully starting don't add up either.

[loco_91]

Bender should be a banned topic on this draft board. So much opinion, so little thought.

[saltlover]

I wouldn't be surprised if Bender moves ahead of Ben Simmons on Ainge's board.

I would.  Simmons is an NBA-ready player with Hall of Fame upside.  Bender is neither.

I think there are legitimate reasons to be concerned that Simmons is too mentally soft to be a star.  He seems like he could be a bigger, better, but less intense version of Jeff Green.  On the other hand, Bender comes across as the opposite of soft.  Ainge values toughness and competitiveness.

That's ridiculous.  Simmons grabbed more rebounds in 33 college games than Green did in 80 pro games.  He was 7th nationally and 1st in his conference in rebounding, and 4th nationally in free throw attempts.  You don't get that many rebounds and get fouled that often if you're not in the middle of the action.

Right now he's a 6'10" version of Rajon Rondo.  That's an incredibly difficult matchup and an NBA all-star.  If he learns to shoot at even a league average ability, he's a Hall of Famer.

[Snakehead]

I wouldn't be surprised if Bender moves ahead of Ben Simmons on Ainge's board.

I would.  Simmons is an NBA-ready player with Hall of Fame upside.  Bender is neither.

I think there are legitimate reasons to be concerned that Simmons is too mentally soft to be a star.  He seems like he could be a bigger, better, but less intense version of Jeff Green.  On the other hand, Bender comes across as the opposite of soft.  Ainge values toughness and competitiveness.

That's ridiculous.  Simmons grabbed more rebounds in 33 college games than Green did in 80 pro games.  He was 7th nationally and 1st in his conference in rebounding, and 4th nationally in free throw attempts.  You don't get that many rebounds and get fouled that often if you're not in the middle of the action.

Right now he's a 6'10" version of Rajon Rondo.  That's an incredibly difficult matchup and an NBA all-star.  If he learns to shoot at even a league average ability, he's a Hall of Famer.

The Jeff Green comparison in any way is absurd.

And "less intense Jeff Green" at that LOL.   

[LooseCannon]

Playing Lee gave the important lesson that a no-defense, non-perimeter big with 20-10 potential is a bad fit for the team.

[saltlover]

Playing Lee gave the important lesson that a no-defense, non-perimeter big with 20-10 potential is a bad fit for the team.

And this is relevant how?

[Ilikesports17]

Guys who are stars in the making tend to force their way onto the court. Terry Rozier played well but he was behind Turner Smart Thomas and Bradley. All for of those guys deserved major minutes.

Also is the point of this post specifically about bender or is he just a mechanism for you to criticize brads coaching style (which wouldnt necesarily be unfair).

I can't deny its a huge frustration for me about Stevens and Danny allowing it. As soon as I learned of the hire I expected win now at cost of the future. It drives me crazy. I predicted the Lee signing and that we'd start him even though he'd be no part of the future.

I think its a fair criticism, but the extent to which it has happened has been a bit overblown.

Its hard to find a role for a guy like Rozier when you have Smart Thomas Bradley and Turner on the roster.

[Ilikesports17]

Playing Lee gave the important lesson that a no-defense, non-perimeter big with 20-10 potential is a bad fit for the team.

I know very little about Bender, but the big trait people seem to love about him is that he is 7+ ft tall but can defend and play on the perimeter.

Ive got no idea if its true, but if it is that is very unLee like

[jambr380]

Bender is by far the worst player in this draft.

I've yet to find him ranked lower than 5th. You are wrong.

He was speaking in present tense. It is entirely possible he is currently the worst player in the draft; however, potential is certainly on his side.

Seriously hoping we steer clear of Bender and pick up Maker later in the draft.

[Ilikesports17]

Bender is by far the worst player in this draft.

I've yet to find him ranked lower than 5th. You are wrong.

He was speaking in present tense. It is entirely possible he is currently the worst player in the draft; however, potential is certainly on his side.

Seriously hoping we steer clear of Bender and pick up Maker later in the draft.

aha. fair.

I think Bender Maker Lab are three to watch.

All three have ideal bodies for a modern big man and all three have spent their share of time atop mock drafts. Problem is we havent seen any of them produce against meaningful competition.

All 3 seems to have sky high potential and Ive got no idea how to evaluate any of them!

[PaulP34]

Bender shouldn't even be in the top 10. Not saying the kid has no basketball skills but Stevens n Ainge need a rookie to step right in and score points. My opinion, that would not be Bender. Buddy Heild, Jaylen Brown, Jamal Murray to name a few. Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram would be gaurentee starters day 1. Unless they trade the pick/picks I don't see Bender being drafted by any team within the top 6...

[ThePaintedArea]

I wouldn't be surprised if Bender moves ahead of Ben Simmons on Ainge's board.

I would.  Simmons is an NBA-ready player with Hall of Fame upside.  Bender is neither.

I think there are legitimate reasons to be concerned that Simmons is too mentally soft to be a star.  He seems like he could be a bigger, better, but less intense version of Jeff Green.  On the other hand, Bender comes across as the opposite of soft.  Ainge values toughness and competitiveness.

That's ridiculous.  Simmons grabbed more rebounds in 33 college games than Green did in 80 pro games.  He was 7th nationally and 1st in his conference in rebounding, and 4th nationally in free throw attempts.  You don't get that many rebounds and get fouled that often if you're not in the middle of the action.

Right now he's a 6'10" version of Rajon Rondo.  That's an incredibly difficult matchup and an NBA all-star.  If he learns to shoot at even a league average ability, he's a Hall of Famer.

This.  Yes, there's an issue about the shooting, as with Rondo.  But he shot 67% FT's, so it's probable that he can get to 75% or better, given the work.  Givony is questioning his character but Simmons didn't get where he is without some serious dedication.  A great team player who had to play in a bad situation.  You do want a guy who goes down fighting, though...  Great NBA body, great fit for the Celtics.  I could go either way at #1 but wouldn't hesitate to take him at #2 if available.

No to Bender.  The body is terrible - long limbs with weak shoulders and hips; it's excruciatingly slow to get his limbs moving.  He'll have to do a lot more than lifting to get up to speed.  I would never say never to developing a body but this is a long-term project at best.  Even if Boston were at the beginning of the rebuilding process I'd be skeptical but the floor for next year is to win a playoff series.

I'm no scout and college ball is a bore for me at this point, but from what I've seen there are two players you want; I'm sure there are hidden gems in the draft, too, but having said that you need to be mindful of where the franchise is in the cycle.  Boston has some really good (not great) players who play great team defense.  That's pretty remarkable, given how young they are, and I'm advocating for hanging onto the 4-6 core guys and adding stars to them.  This is not the time to be drafting more good players who have a chance to get in your rotation three seasons from now.  This is where you grab for the brass ring. 

[Tr1boy]

maybe, but in recent memories, a lot of GMs missed Giannis and last year the Knicks found their gem in Porzingis. Do you think Danny or if we choose to pass on him, other teams would pick him up?

Giannis is a diff story. He was "beasting" in his league. And even at his young age , a very good player in that league

Danny imo skipped him bc he was not a good shooter(better now), he doesn't take chances with INTL players. And they saw something in KO