Austin Ainge: Dragan one of the best players in the last 4 years in his class

[footey]

As evidenced by my sig, I am #TeamDragan, however, this sounds like the FO trying to pump up the value of the pick.

To me it more sounds like A. Ainge is saying that he's been well-scouted over the years, and isn't some flavor-of-the-month prospect.

Exactly

Please consider editing the thread topic

How's this?

"Austin Ainge: Sabonis one of the best players in the last 4 years in his class"

TP!!!

[crimson_stallion]

to be honest Bender wouldn't be so bad.

We have a logjam at the guards and every guard seems to be deserving to play. The same could not be said about our forwards. Sully/KO at times are very inconsistent and Bender at 7 ft is extremely athletic for a guy his age, and has a very good work ethic. He may even get to start if not start very soon next season. Sully might be gone soon too, and I don't know if we will pick up Amir's 2nd year option (i think we might)

He's not extremely athletic at all.

Dwight Howard was extremely athletic.  Anthony Davis is extremely athletic.  Kevin Garnett and DeAndre Jordan were extremely athletic.  Blake Griffin is extremely athletic.  Ben Simmons is extremely athletic.  Skal Labissiere is extremely athletic. 

Dragan Bender is not extremely athletic.  He is a seven footer who runs the floor well and who has good lateral mobility for a big - that is all.

[footey]

to be honest Bender wouldn't be so bad.

We have a logjam at the guards and every guard seems to be deserving to play. The same could not be said about our forwards. Sully/KO at times are very inconsistent and Bender at 7 ft is extremely athletic for a guy his age, and has a very good work ethic. He may even get to start if not start very soon next season. Sully might be gone soon too, and I don't know if we will pick up Amir's 2nd year option (i think we might)

He's not extremely athletic at all.

Dwight Howard was extremely athletic.  Anthony Davis is extremely athletic.  Kevin Garnett and DeAndre Jordan were extremely athletic.  Blake Griffin is extremely athletic.  Ben Simmons is extremely athletic.  Skal Labissiere is extremely athletic. 

Dragan Bender is not extremely athletic.  He is a seven footer who runs the floor well and who has good lateral mobility for a big - that is all.

Neither were Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, Dirk Nowitski, Tim Duncan, etc. etc.  They didn't turn out too badly.

[Fafnir]

The idea that Tim Duncan wasn't extremely athletic is something I will never accept or allow. 

What's next the dang kids claiming Shaq/KG were always plodding pitch men in commercials?

I'm too old for this.....

[fairweatherfan]

The idea that Tim Duncan wasn't extremely athletic is something I will never accept or allow. 

What's next the dang kids claiming Shaq/KG were always plodding pitch men in commercials?

I'm too old for this.....

The conflation of athleticism with top speed and explosiveness isn't really new though.  Duncan was never very explosive or a good sprinter; his athleticism mostly manifested in nimbleness and coordination.  Also pretty sure the poster saying this is not a younger guy.



On topic: I remain completely neutral about 18-year-olds with a handful of pro minutes played thousands of miles away.

[Fafnir]

The idea that Tim Duncan wasn't extremely athletic is something I will never accept or allow. 

What's next the dang kids claiming Shaq/KG were always plodding pitch men in commercials?

I'm too old for this.....

The conflation of athleticism with top speed and explosiveness isn't really new though.  Duncan was never very explosive or a good sprinter; his athleticism mostly manifested in nimbleness and coordination.  Also pretty sure the poster saying this is not a younger guy.

The Spurs had him guard the point as a gangly 7 foot defensive monster as a rookie!

And yeah I know the poster isn't young in all odds based on past conversations but know it is true people too young to remember 90s basketball think Shaq was always fat and Duncan always moved like deliberate efficient molasses.

[Eddie20]

As evidenced by my sig, I am #TeamDragan, however, this sounds like the FO trying to pump up the value of the pick.

To me it more sounds like A. Ainge is saying that he's been well-scouted over the years, and isn't some flavor-of-the-month prospect.

Exactly

Please consider editing the thread topic

You misunderstood what saltlover is saying so I wouldn't be using the word "exactly".

The thread title is an exact respresentation of what he said and was literally taken verbatim.

[danglertx]

Not that this matters, but wasn't Duncan a really good, like Olympic hopeful type good, swimmer growing up?

[Who]

"One of the top players in his class for last 4 years in Europe. So he is well known. "

[TheFlex]

As evidenced by my sig, I am #TeamDragan, however, this sounds like the FO trying to pump up the value of the pick.

To me it more sounds like A. Ainge is saying that he's been well-scouted over the years, and isn't some flavor-of-the-month prospect.

Exactly

Please consider editing the thread topic

This interpretation does not support your Sabonis/anti-Bender agenda either. This means Bender has endured years of professional scouting scrutiny and remains a near-consensus top 5 pick. Your argument would be better served if A. Ainge came out and said "no one knows much about him, he's ranked very high because he's a mystery and looks good physically." Instead, it appears as if professional scouts have gathered tons of info on Bender and still love him.

edit: Me, personally, I'm not sure what to make of Bender because I have seen little of him and I'm also not a pro scout. But it's abundantly clear that plenty of people with the know-how really like Bender, and it is also clear that while Bender is not guaranteed to be a great player (no one is), he is certainly a great prospect.

[hwangjini_1]

Triboy: This is not a rumor. It is Ainge on video tape.

Jr ainge but top dawg ainge

Jr ainge likes everyone.   

Plus who knows if this is a smokescreen to up benders  trade value

you state the obvious, why?

please prove austin ainge likes everyone.

since no one knows we cant discount what he says.

[alldaboston]

I'm going to try to put Bender playing against Tony Gaffney and Matt Janning on this afternoon if I can find a feed somewhere. Game against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem is at 2:00pm ET.

Cool! It'd be great if you could let us know what you see with him!

[kozlodoev]

I'm going to try to put Bender playing against Tony Gaffney and Matt Janning on this afternoon if I can find a feed somewhere. Game against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem is at 2:00pm ET.

Cool! It'd be great if you could let us know what you see with him!

I thought Matt Janning played in Russia.

[loco_91]

"One of the top players in his class for last 4 years in Europe. So he is well known. "

Thank you.

[Tr1boy]

Triboy: This is not a rumor. It is Ainge on video tape.

Jr ainge but top dawg ainge

Jr ainge likes everyone.   

Plus who knows if this is a smokescreen to up benders  trade value

you state the obvious, why?

please prove austin ainge likes everyone.

since no one knows we cant discount what he says.

Look at his quotes last 2-3 drafts , players brought in and asked by the media.