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

[Surferdad]

I didn't want to start another Bender thread so I am putting this kind of fluffy article here.

http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/the-next-porzingis/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

thanks for the link. it was a fun read. tp for you. 

TP right back at you

Wow, thanks for posting that article.  I am all in on Bender.  My only worry is that Kupchak might take him at 2!!

You worry, but I hope!  That would hand over Ingram or Simmons to the Celtics!

[sofutomygaha]

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.

This seems to happen a lot with the euro websites-- the roster I was looking at was out of date.

Bender didn't play in the Maccabi game today; no idea why.

[ederson]

It`s the second time in the last 5 games he didn`t get any playtime

In the rest he played about 15mpg

[chambers]

It`s the second time in the last 5 games he didn`t get any playtime

In the rest he played about 15mpg

His agent has probably asked to cut his minutes/injury risk before he goes to the USA for draft workouts.

[Celtics4ever]

It`s the second time in the last 5 games he didn`t get any playtime

In the rest he played about 15mpg

His agent has probably asked to cut his minutes/injury risk before he goes to the USA for draft workouts

.

Has he been asking this the last few years because there is a pattern existing prior to his entering the NBA draft.  They been grooming him for the last few years?

I think your probably right, recently but this has happened for the last few years.   That makes me think this is business as usual.

[mr. dee]

I didn't want to start another Bender thread so I am putting this kind of fluffy article here.

http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/the-next-porzingis/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

thanks for the link. it was a fun read. tp for you. 

TP right back at you

Wow, thanks for posting that article.  I am all in on Bender.  My only worry is that Kupchak might take him at 2!!

Danny will gladly take the leftover of Ingram/Simmons then.

[dreamgreen]

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)

Yea I'm starting to warm up to this. I would love to hear ore positive things about the kid CNN has a nice write up about him in their site today.

[BitterJim]

It`s the second time in the last 5 games he didn`t get any playtime

In the rest he played about 15mpg

His agent has probably asked to cut his minutes/injury risk before he goes to the USA for draft workouts

.

Has he been asking this the last few years because there is a pattern existing prior to his entering the NBA draft.  They been grooming him for the last few years?

I think your probably right, recently but this has happened for the last few years.   That makes me think this is business as usual.

It's almost like he's a teenage kid playing in a professional league

[saltlover]

It`s the second time in the last 5 games he didn`t get any playtime

In the rest he played about 15mpg

His agent has probably asked to cut his minutes/injury risk before he goes to the USA for draft workouts

.

Has he been asking this the last few years because there is a pattern existing prior to his entering the NBA draft.  They been grooming him for the last few years?

I think your probably right, recently but this has happened for the last few years.   That makes me think this is business as usual.

It's almost like he's a teenage kid playing in a professional league

Which he will be in the NBA next year.

I'm not anti-Bender, but I really don't think he'll be a contributor of any kind until his third year.  He does not have the strength required to be an NBA big.  As he might still be growing, I don't think this is a character flaw, just a reality.  I think some of the board is getting too excited -- I'd like to see 21-year-old Bender on the Celtics, but the 19 year-old version will be in Maine, as will the 20 year-old version.

[mr. dee]

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)

Yea I'm starting to warm up to this. I would love to hear ore positive things about the kid CNN has a nice write up about him in their site today.

Me too. I would trust Danny and his team's assessment over any other "scouts" on the internet. If they think Bender did great in workouts and interviews, I will trust Ainge's decision.

That said, I still prefer Hield at the #3 spot.

[mmmmm]

It`s the second time in the last 5 games he didn`t get any playtime

In the rest he played about 15mpg

His agent has probably asked to cut his minutes/injury risk before he goes to the USA for draft workouts

.

Has he been asking this the last few years because there is a pattern existing prior to his entering the NBA draft.  They been grooming him for the last few years?

I think your probably right, recently but this has happened for the last few years.   That makes me think this is business as usual.

It's almost like he's a teenage kid playing in a professional league

Which he will be in the NBA next year.

I'm not anti-Bender, but I really don't think he'll be a contributor of any kind until his third year.  He does not have the strength required to be an NBA big.  As he might still be growing, I don't think this is a character flaw, just a reality.  I think some of the board is getting too excited -- I'd like to see 21-year-old Bender on the Celtics, but the 19 year-old version will be in Maine, as will the 20 year-old version.

But, imho, that's okay.  No rookie we are draft, no matter how "ready to play" in the NBA he is this coming season, is going to be the difference to get us to the ECF and beyond.  None of Bender, Brown, Dunn, Hield or Murray as a rookie is going to get us past Lebron.

Given the Celtics current situation,whether a rookie is already somewhat, "NBA ready" or is in need of 2-3 years of development should be one of the lowest priority criteria when considering who to draft.   To me, what should be most important is what is their absolute best possible ceiling.

That doesn't mean that the most young, raw prospect has the highest ceiling, of course.  If Danny feels that a more developed, older player like Hield still has a higher ultimate upside, then that's who we should take.

But if he feels that Bender or Brown or whomever has the highest ultimate upside, despite current issues in their game, and a reasonable probability of reaching that upside, then that's who I want him to take.

Now, if Danny also makes significant trades that change the situation, then that would change how I feel about who to draft.  But likely, that sort of trade would have meant trading the pick.

[Tr1boy]

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)

Yea I'm starting to warm up to this. I would love to hear ore positive things about the kid CNN has a nice write up about him in their site today.

Me too. I would trust Danny and his team's assessment over any other "scouts" on the internet. If they think Bender did great in workouts and interviews, I will trust Ainge's decision.

That said, I still prefer Hield at the #3 spot.

Workouts and interviews are not everything.  Smart messed up his 1st session

Danny also will look at what he has done for the year. And with bender there is little to go by other than some "flash"

What a risky pick at number 3 .   This is a pretty weak draft from 3-7

Stronger from 8-31

[Evantime34]

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)

Yea I'm starting to warm up to this. I would love to hear ore positive things about the kid CNN has a nice write up about him in their site today.

Me too. I would trust Danny and his team's assessment over any other "scouts" on the internet. If they think Bender did great in workouts and interviews, I will trust Ainge's decision.

That said, I still prefer Hield at the #3 spot.

Workouts and interviews are not everything.  Smart messed up his 1st session

Danny also will look at what he has done for the year. And with bender there is little to go by other than some "flash"

What a risky pick at number 3 .   This is a pretty weak draft from 3-7

Stronger from 8-31

If the Celtics front office is doing a good job, I think Ainge will have been paying attention to what Bender has done the past few years not just this year.

It is a mistake to think that Ainge is dealing with the same information as us. It makes me nervous to draft a guy who didn't produce in his year before the draft, but if Ainge picks him then I will assume that the additional information Ainge has was enough to convince him on Bender.

Just because we don't have enough information to make an informed decision on a prospect doesn't mean that Ainge won't have enough info too.

[Tr1boy]

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)

Yea I'm starting to warm up to this. I would love to hear ore positive things about the kid CNN has a nice write up about him in their site today.

Me too. I would trust Danny and his team's assessment over any other "scouts" on the internet. If they think Bender did great in workouts and interviews, I will trust Ainge's decision.

That said, I still prefer Hield at the #3 spot.

Workouts and interviews are not everything.  Smart messed up his 1st session

Danny also will look at what he has done for the year. And with bender there is little to go by other than some "flash"

What a risky pick at number 3 .   This is a pretty weak draft from 3-7

Stronger from 8-31

If the Celtics front office is doing a good job, I think Ainge will have been paying attention to what Bender has done the past few years not just this year.

It is a mistake to think that Ainge is dealing with the same information as us. It makes me nervous to draft a guy who didn't produce in his year before the draft, but if Ainge picks him then I will assume that the additional information Ainge has was enough to convince him on Bender.

Just because we don't have enough information to make an informed decision on a prospect doesn't mean that Ainge won't have enough info too.

What additional Intel can he obtain that will make a difference?  What he can do 100 bumpers in less than 2 min?  He made 40 out of 50 3 pt shots this one time?    His idol is really Danny ainge?

I know Danny can get some additional info but outside of interviews, workout, watching games in person (stats and non stat impact) , what else you suggesting?

[BitterJim]

It`s the second time in the last 5 games he didn`t get any playtime

In the rest he played about 15mpg

His agent has probably asked to cut his minutes/injury risk before he goes to the USA for draft workouts

.

Has he been asking this the last few years because there is a pattern existing prior to his entering the NBA draft.  They been grooming him for the last few years?

I think your probably right, recently but this has happened for the last few years.   That makes me think this is business as usual.

It's almost like he's a teenage kid playing in a professional league

Which he will be in the NBA next year.

I'm not anti-Bender, but I really don't think he'll be a contributor of any kind until his third year.  He does not have the strength required to be an NBA big.  As he might still be growing, I don't think this is a character flaw, just a reality.  I think some of the board is getting too excited -- I'd like to see 21-year-old Bender on the Celtics, but the 19 year-old version will be in Maine, as will the 20 year-old version.

But, imho, that's okay.  No rookie we are draft, no matter how "ready to play" in the NBA he is this coming season, is going to be the difference to get us to the ECF and beyond.  None of Bender, Brown, Dunn, Hield or Murray as a rookie is going to get us past Lebron.

Given the Celtics current situation,whether a rookie is already somewhat, "NBA ready" or is in need of 2-3 years of development should be one of the lowest priority criteria when considering who to draft.   To me, what should be most important is what is their absolute best possible ceiling.

That doesn't mean that the most young, raw prospect has the highest ceiling, of course.  If Danny feels that a more developed, older player like Hield still has a higher ultimate upside, then that's who we should take.

But if he feels that Bender or Brown or whomever has the highest ultimate upside, despite current issues in their game, and a reasonable probability of reaching that upside, then that's who I want him to take.

Now, if Danny also makes significant trades that change the situation, then that would change how I feel about who to draft.  But likely, that sort of trade would have meant trading the pick.

this sums things up perfectly.  We need stars, not ready-to-contribute rookies (obviously, there's no guarantee that Bender will be a star, but I think it's worth the risk).  It'd be great to get both in one player, but that's just not gonna happen.  Better to get a guy that can eventually be a great player in the league even if he ends up spending a bunch of time developing in Maine.

I'd rather get a star player in 2 or 3 years than a role player now.