Pelton Projects Bender better than Ingam

[DefenseWinsChamps]

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/15676915/is-dragan-bender-next-kristaps-porzingis-nba

See the article for yourself. It's interesting. They do compare him a bit to Porzingis, and note that he is a year younger than Porzingis was when he was drafted. When you compare them at the same age, they think Bender is further along.

Also, Pelton's WARP projects Bender right behind Simmons and ahead of Ingram 3.5 to 2.9. That's significant.

I know that the Lakers want to trade their pick, and I know that Ingram does make sense for their roster, but they might be having some conversations about Bender. Imagine Bender with a bit more weight next to Randle, and running pick and rolls with Russell? You have to admit that the Lakers are at least thinking about Bender with all of Porzingis' success.

I personal still lean towards Murray more, but hearing some of those advanced stats and how he was further along than Zinger at the same age, I'm a lot more interested.

[saltlover]

Already posted here:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=84657.0

[Celtics4ever]

Good hopefully, Ingram drops to us.

[footey]

Interesting. Let's say Danny likes Ingram more than Bender, wonder if the Lakers would try to swap picks with a little juice (say the 23rd pick).  Very interesting.

[CoachBo]

There went Pelton's credibility.

[RockinRyA]

There went Pelton's credibility.

Its not like you have any credibility yourself

[playdream]

Seriously if Thunder beat out warriors Bender can really suprass ingram
It shows small-shooting team can't win against big-fast(rebounding) team and you aren't likely getting that big from trade and FA, you have to draft it

[Rondo9]

Can I see the full article? I don't have insider.

[GetLucky]

There went Pelton's credibility.

It's funny because I've never seen a post of yours that is longer than a few sentences, and they are always limited to some bombastic, outlandish statement with no stats, insider opinion, or video evidence whatsoever.

Pelton gave a much more convincing and thorough case for than you have against up to this point. Saying things like  "Bender is a bust" or "Dragan = Darko" only gets you so far if you don't have anything to back it up.

[LooseCannon]

There went Pelton's credibility.

It's funny because I've never seen a post of yours that is longer than a few sentences, and they are always limited to some bombastic, outlandish statement with no stats, insider opinion, or video evidence whatsoever.

Pelton gave a much more convincing and thorough case for than you have against up to this point. Saying things like  "Bender is a bust" or "Dragan = Darko" only gets you so far if you don't have anything to back it up.

I'd almost say that drafting Bender is a win-win because either he will be a good player or we will be entertained by a CoachBo meltdown on the forum, and possibly both.  I think I might have to stop researching players and just root for the Celtics to take Bender because of that outcome.

[CoachBo]

There went Pelton's credibility.

It's funny because I've never seen a post of yours that is longer than a few sentences, and they are always limited to some bombastic, outlandish statement with no stats, insider opinion, or video evidence whatsoever.

Pelton gave a much more convincing and thorough case for than you have against up to this point. Saying things like  "Bender is a bust" or "Dragan = Darko" only gets you so far if you don't have anything to back it up.

I'd almost say that drafting Bender is a win-win because either he will be a good player or we will be entertained by a CoachBo meltdown on the forum, and possibly both.  I think I might have to stop researching players and just root for the Celtics to take Bender because of that outcome.

I am not as easily persuaded by some pseudo-scout without any credibility like Pelton, certainly not against the opinion of people working in the league currently, let alone my own, who have looked at the stats Bender does not have and watched his feeble game.

I also don't live in the fantasy world where a GM with, at best, a 44 percent hit rate in the draft is a savant. I know better.

My view will not waiver: Bender would be the biggest draft mistake in Celtics history. Other fan opinions, reliant on any self-professed "scout" with a computer, do not daunt that view in the slightest, nor will they.

[moiso]

My people like Bender

[rondohondo]

My people like Bender

ha tp

[hpantazo]

[DefenseWinsChamps]

CoachBo - Can you give me more info? Why are you so down on Bender?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not impressed by his numbers this past season, but there is a narrative where a supremely talented, athletic 17-18 year old deferred to adults and therefore was not as productive.

Assertiveness is an issue. Defined offensive skill set is an issue. Skinniness and subsequent foul issues and defensive rebounding issues are a concern.

Can you give me more of your opinion?