Dragan Bender's Best NBA Comparison

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Dragan Bender’s best NBA comparison is Giannis Antetokunmpo. Both had/have similar strengths like physical tools, defensive potential, offensive versatility, and passing. Both took defensive rebounds coast to coast. Both had/have similar weaknesses like strength, explosiveness, defensive consistency, and lack of experience. Both turned/will turn 19 within the first two months of their NBA career. Both were/are unproven and lacked game experience.

The descriptions on every draft website are eerily similar between the two players. Seriously, check out the draftexpress videos, nbadraft.net, and espn profiles of these guys. The draft express videos are especially interesting. 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/player/_/id/20219/dragan-bender
http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/player/_/id/19946/giannis-antetokounmpo

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/dragan-bender
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/giannis-adetokoubo

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dragan-Bender-62877/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-7223/

Giannis played in the Greek A-2 league and averaged 23 mpg, 9.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1 bpg, .7 spg. The A-1 league was ranked 54th in the competition ranking among all leages (including college conferences), scoring a .43. Again, that’s the A-1 league, or the varsity league. Giannis played in the A-2 league, or the junior varsity league.

Dragan Bender played in the Israeli BSL league and averaged 15 mpg, 5.5 ppg, 3 rpg, .8 apg, .9 bpg, and .6 spg. The Israeli BSL league was ranked 44th with a .52 scoring.

The competition level can hardly be compared. The Bender's competition was stronger than the Greek A-1 league, and Giannis was in the next league down.

http://nyloncalculus.com/2015/11/06/deep-dives-measuring-level-of-competition-around-the-world/

Comparing these prospects at the same age:
Bender wins

• Bender is a more advanced passer than GiAnt, but GiAnt is pretty good too. What's difficult is that Bender played off ball mostly, but Giannis was allowed to handle the ball a lot.
  
• Bender has shown the ability and touch to finish floaters in the lane
• Better shooter. Better touch. Better consistency. Better confidence.
• Bender’s length is better than GiAnt by a couple of inches.
• Bender is a bit more filled out than GiAnt at that age (196 to 225).

Giannis Wins

• GiAnt had the freakish ability to do the euro-step with the ball palmed over his head and then finish. Bender doesn’t have that finishing ability (and may struggle to develop it)
• Because GiAnt was playing against virtual YMCA competition, it’s hard to surmise how strong he really was compared to Bender, but I’d give the edge to GiAnt there even though he had a little less weight.
• Bender tended to tip a lot of rebounds and fail to grab them, but GiAnt seemed to do a better job bringing them in.

Those who have questioned Bender’s defense need to go back to watch GiAnnis as the same age. He was a worse turn-table against inferior competition. GiAnnis’ foul rate was pretty similar to Bender’s. 

Anyone who says, "Someone cannot be a superstar if he didn’t dominate against inferior competition at 18" must address players like Giannis, who failed to be highly successful in an extremely weak league at the same age.

Let me take it a step further and compare their play at the U18 and U20 European Division A championships. (Maybe someone can explain to me why countries sometimes have U18 or U20, but sometimes they don't have them).

As a 16 year old at the u18 championships, Bender averaged 14 ppg, 10 rpg, 5 apg, 1 spg, and 2 bpg on 46%, 32%, and 67% shooting. He led his team to a 9-1 record.

As an 18 year old at the u20 championships, Giannis averaged 8 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, 1 spg, and 1 bpg on 36%, 39%, and 71% shooting. His team ended with a 5-4 record.

The raw talent was there in 2013. We took Olynyk. Giannis fell to 15 and most of us wish we had him instead of Olynyk (even though I like Kelly). The raw talent is there with Bender, even though he has to refine his game and strengthen his body. I don’t want to miss on the Croatian Sensation just like we missed on the Greek Freak.

[KG Living Legend]

Dragan Bender’s best NBA comparison is Giannis Antetokunmpo. Both had/have similar strengths like physical tools, defensive potential, offensive versatility, and passing. Both took defensive rebounds coast to coast. Both had/have similar weaknesses like strength, explosiveness, defensive consistency, and lack of experience. Both turned/will turn 19 within the first two months of their NBA career. Both were/are unproven and lacked game experience.

The descriptions on every draft website are eerily similar between the two players. Seriously, check out the draftexpress videos, nbadraft.net, and espn profiles of these guys. The draft express videos are especially interesting. 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/player/_/id/20219/dragan-bender
http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/player/_/id/19946/giannis-antetokounmpo

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/dragan-bender
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/giannis-adetokoubo

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dragan-Bender-62877/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-7223/

Giannis played in the Greek A-2 league and averaged 23 mpg, 9.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1 bpg, .7 spg. The A-1 league was ranked 54th in the competition ranking among all leages (including college conferences), scoring a .43. Again, that’s the A-1 league, or the varsity league. Giannis played in the A-2 league, or the junior varsity league.

Dragan Bender played in the Israeli BSL league and averaged 15 mpg, 5.5 ppg, 3 rpg, .8 apg, .9 bpg, and .6 spg. The Israeli BSL league was ranked 44th with a .52 scoring.

The competition level can hardly be compared. The Bender's competition was stronger than the Greek A-1 league, and Giannis was in the next league down.

http://nyloncalculus.com/2015/11/06/deep-dives-measuring-level-of-competition-around-the-world/

Comparing these prospects at the same age:
Bender wins

• Bender is a more advanced passer than GiAnt, but GiAnt is pretty good too. What's difficult is that Bender played off ball mostly, but Giannis was allowed to handle the ball a lot.
  
• Bender has shown the ability and touch to finish floaters in the lane
• Better shooter. Better touch. Better consistency. Better confidence.
• Bender’s length is better than GiAnt by a couple of inches.
• Bender is a bit more filled out than GiAnt at that age (196 to 225).

Giannis Wins

• GiAnt had the freakish ability to do the euro-step with the ball palmed over his head and then finish. Bender doesn’t have that finishing ability (and may struggle to develop it)
• Because GiAnt was playing against virtual YMCA competition, it’s hard to surmise how strong he really was compared to Bender, but I’d give the edge to GiAnt there even though he had a little less weight.
• Bender tended to tip a lot of rebounds and fail to grab them, but GiAnt seemed to do a better job bringing them in.

Those who have questioned Bender’s defense need to go back to watch GiAnnis as the same age. He was a worse turn-table against inferior competition. GiAnnis’ foul rate was pretty similar to Bender’s. 

Anyone who says, "Someone cannot be a superstar if he didn’t dominate against inferior competition at 18" must address players like Giannis, who failed to be highly successful in an extremely weak league at the same age.

Let me take it a step further and compare their play at the U18 and U20 European Division A championships. (Maybe someone can explain to me why countries sometimes have U18 or U20, but sometimes they don't have them).

As a 16 year old at the u18 championships, Bender averaged 14 ppg, 10 rpg, 5 apg, 1 spg, and 2 bpg on 46%, 32%, and 67% shooting. He led his team to a 9-1 record.

As an 18 year old at the u20 championships, Giannis averaged 8 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, 1 spg, and 1 bpg on 36%, 39%, and 71% shooting. His team ended with a 5-4 record.

The raw talent was there in 2013. We took Olynyk. Giannis fell to 15 and most of us wish we had him instead of Olynyk (even though I like Kelly). The raw talent is there with Bender, even though he has to refine his game and strengthen his body. I don’t want to miss on the Croatian Sensation just like we missed on the Greek Freak.

 Tp for the hard work DWC. Interesting.

[kraidstar]

TP as well from me for the stats and comparison, their games are pretty similar.

Not a huge Bender fan (he needs to prove himself against NBA competition the way Giannis has), but there's at least reason to think he COULD be quite a good player. Glad I'm not the one making decisions in this draft lol, it's already driving me crazy thinking about this stuff.

[Csfan1984]

Pre injury Ibaka might fit. Bender's defense and range are similar.

[crimson_stallion]

Bender is not even close to Giannis' levels of athleticism, and the length is not comparable because Giannis will play mostly SF (where he had a huge length advantage) whole Bender will play PF/C where hell have minimal length advantage.

Benders lateral quickness and leaping ability are not close to Giannis, so he doesnt have the same defensive upside.

Also means he wont be able to drive to the basket like Giannis can.

[crimson_stallion]

Pre injury Ibaka might fit. Bender's defense and range are similar.

Ibaka was an elite athlete which is a big part if what made him so successful defensively.

On the other hand bender is i think a much better passer and ball handler then Ibaka, who i don't think is great at either.

[PhoSita]

Imagine if Shane battier were over seven feet tall.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Bender is not even close to Giannis' levels of athleticism, and the length is not comparable because Giannis will play mostly SF (where he had a huge length advantage) whole Bender will play PF/C where hell have minimal length advantage.

Benders lateral quickness and leaping ability are not close to Giannis, so he doesnt have the same defensive upside.

Also means he wont be able to drive to the basket like Giannis can.

They both play the same way, even if it is not the same old timey position. That small ball point forward is the position. And Gianni's has played a lot at power forward and some at center.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Imagine if Shane battier were over seven feet tall.

I like that a lot

[PhoSita]

I suggest that people who find themselves doubting Bender but open to considering his strengths go and watch some of the game tape of his teams on YouTube. There are complete games on there if you search in Hebrew.

I spent some time doing that, and what I saw is that on offense, Bender is used basically as a corner three specialist, rarely entrusted with the ball except when open in the corner, and rarely involved in the action.

On defense, he gets pushed around a lot and has some trouble getting through screens due to strength, but has the length and agility to contest on the perimeter, recover, and bother shots inside.

His jumper looks fluid, reasonably quick, and reliable, at least from the corner. You can tell he's got a long way to go physically but could do more than they ask him to do. It appears to me that there just hasn't been much of an effort to integrate him into the offense, or give him more than a one on one role in the defense, probably due to the fact that his team knows he was never likely to stick around beyond this season.

This is encouraging to me because I know that he has done really well playing with players closer to his age, when presumably he has been given more freedom and responsibility on both ends.

[Csfan1984]

Pre injury Ibaka might fit. Bender's defense and range are similar.

Ibaka was an elite athlete which is a big part if what made him so successful defensively.

On the other hand bender is i think a much better passer and ball handler then Ibaka, who i don't think is great at either.

Think Benders height and mobility can equal the same impact as Ibaka. Also based on the film I have seen Bender isn't as great with the ball or shooting as some say.

[wiley]

Taller Kukoc? 

[hwangjini_1]

Dragan Bender’s best NBA comparison is Giannis Antetokunmpo. Both had/have similar strengths like physical tools, defensive potential, offensive versatility, and passing. Both took defensive rebounds coast to coast. Both had/have similar weaknesses like strength, explosiveness, defensive consistency, and lack of experience. Both turned/will turn 19 within the first two months of their NBA career. Both were/are unproven and lacked game experience.

The descriptions on every draft website are eerily similar between the two players. Seriously, check out the draftexpress videos, nbadraft.net, and espn profiles of these guys. The draft express videos are especially interesting. 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/player/_/id/20219/dragan-bender
http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/results/player/_/id/19946/giannis-antetokounmpo

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/dragan-bender
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/giannis-adetokoubo

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dragan-Bender-62877/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-7223/

Giannis played in the Greek A-2 league and averaged 23 mpg, 9.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1 bpg, .7 spg. The A-1 league was ranked 54th in the competition ranking among all leages (including college conferences), scoring a .43. Again, that’s the A-1 league, or the varsity league. Giannis played in the A-2 league, or the junior varsity league.

Dragan Bender played in the Israeli BSL league and averaged 15 mpg, 5.5 ppg, 3 rpg, .8 apg, .9 bpg, and .6 spg. The Israeli BSL league was ranked 44th with a .52 scoring.

The competition level can hardly be compared. The Bender's competition was stronger than the Greek A-1 league, and Giannis was in the next league down.

http://nyloncalculus.com/2015/11/06/deep-dives-measuring-level-of-competition-around-the-world/

Comparing these prospects at the same age:
Bender wins

• Bender is a more advanced passer than GiAnt, but GiAnt is pretty good too. What's difficult is that Bender played off ball mostly, but Giannis was allowed to handle the ball a lot.
  
• Bender has shown the ability and touch to finish floaters in the lane
• Better shooter. Better touch. Better consistency. Better confidence.
• Bender’s length is better than GiAnt by a couple of inches.
• Bender is a bit more filled out than GiAnt at that age (196 to 225).

Giannis Wins

• GiAnt had the freakish ability to do the euro-step with the ball palmed over his head and then finish. Bender doesn’t have that finishing ability (and may struggle to develop it)
• Because GiAnt was playing against virtual YMCA competition, it’s hard to surmise how strong he really was compared to Bender, but I’d give the edge to GiAnt there even though he had a little less weight.
• Bender tended to tip a lot of rebounds and fail to grab them, but GiAnt seemed to do a better job bringing them in.

Those who have questioned Bender’s defense need to go back to watch GiAnnis as the same age. He was a worse turn-table against inferior competition. GiAnnis’ foul rate was pretty similar to Bender’s. 

Anyone who says, "Someone cannot be a superstar if he didn’t dominate against inferior competition at 18" must address players like Giannis, who failed to be highly successful in an extremely weak league at the same age.

Let me take it a step further and compare their play at the U18 and U20 European Division A championships. (Maybe someone can explain to me why countries sometimes have U18 or U20, but sometimes they don't have them).

As a 16 year old at the u18 championships, Bender averaged 14 ppg, 10 rpg, 5 apg, 1 spg, and 2 bpg on 46%, 32%, and 67% shooting. He led his team to a 9-1 record.

As an 18 year old at the u20 championships, Giannis averaged 8 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, 1 spg, and 1 bpg on 36%, 39%, and 71% shooting. His team ended with a 5-4 record.

The raw talent was there in 2013. We took Olynyk. Giannis fell to 15 and most of us wish we had him instead of Olynyk (even though I like Kelly). The raw talent is there with Bender, even though he has to refine his game and strengthen his body. I don’t want to miss on the Croatian Sensation just like we missed on the Greek Freak.

 Tp for the hard work DWC. Interesting.

Seconded. Thanks for the thoughtful and well researched thread. I so think that fg% will also separate these two along with 3 point shooting, wi bender pulling ahead. But the underlying premise of you thread seems convincing. 

Very good post.

[Beat LA]

I suggest that people who find themselves doubting Bender but open to considering his strengths go and watch some of the game tape of his teams on YouTube. There are complete games on there if you search in Hebrew.

I spent some time doing that, and what I saw is that on offense, Bender is used basically as a corner three specialist, rarely entrusted with the ball except when open in the corner, and rarely involved in the action.

On defense, he gets pushed around a lot and has some trouble getting through screens due to strength, but has the length and agility to contest on the perimeter, recover, and bother shots inside.

His jumper looks fluid, reasonably quick, and reliable, at least from the corner. You can tell he's got a long way to go physically but could do more than they ask him to do. It appears to me that there just hasn't been much of an effort to integrate him into the offense, or give him more than a one on one role in the defense, probably due to the fact that his team knows he was never likely to stick around beyond this season.

This is encouraging to me because I know that he has done really well playing with players closer to his age, when presumably he has been given more freedom and responsibility on both ends.

Sounds like the Israeli version of James Young . At least he'll be used to the role .

[Tr1boy]

NBAdraft has nailed it

Mirotic