Dragan Bender's Best NBA Comparison

[biggs]

Darko? No, Manute Bol. Wait, sorry- Cherokee Parks. 

[Ed Hollison]

The possible comparison to Draymond Green is this: After he puts on a bit of muscle (I mean, dude’s 18) then you could start him off defending a PF or C, and then in the pick and roll he could switch onto a wing and not get killed. That’s what makes Draymond Green so special on defense. Obviously Bender is taller and leaner, but in terms of “switchability” on defense I think that comparison is valid.

As someone who’s never seen an Israeli league game and has only seen snippets of Bender’s game tape, I think the things that are encouraging about him are that he’s a total gym rat who lives/breathes/eats basketball, and that he apparently is feisty and mentally tough for someone of that age. If that’s the case, you can take a risk on a guy like that knowing that he’s going to work his butt off in the coming years to get stronger and better.

[PhoSita]

I'd be thrilled to have Mirotic on the Celts.

Mirotic is also 23. If Bender is that sort of player at 18, with much better measurables giving him a chance to become a far superior defender down the road, that would be remarkable.

Why?  He's a terrible defensive player, iirc.

He's also an excellent shooter and skilled scorer.  Not a guy you can use in a starting lineup without quality defenders providing cover for him, but he's better than anybody the Celts currently have.

A seven footer with that kind of offensive skill and the tools to become an above average multi positional defender would be very valuable.

Couldn't you say the same thing about Doug McDermott?

No, not really.

[Ilikesports17]

I'd be thrilled to have Mirotic on the Celts.

Mirotic is also 23. If Bender is that sort of player at 18, with much better measurables giving him a chance to become a far superior defender down the road, that would be remarkable.

Why?  He's a terrible defensive player, iirc.

He's also an excellent shooter and skilled scorer.  Not a guy you can use in a starting lineup without quality defenders providing cover for him, but he's better than anybody the Celts currently have.

A seven footer with that kind of offensive skill and the tools to become an above average multi positional defender would be very valuable.

Couldn't you say the same thing about Doug McDermott?

No, not really.

I feel like we are missing the point that McDermott and Mirotic are really awful defenders and Bender is a top 3 pick primarily for defensive reasons. Anyone would be foolish to pass up a guy who played offense at either of their levels and was even better on the defensive side of the ball.

[Tr1boy]

I'd be thrilled to have Mirotic on the Celts.

Mirotic is also 23. If Bender is that sort of player at 18, with much better measurables giving him a chance to become a far superior defender down the road, that would be remarkable.

Why?  He's a terrible defensive player, iirc.

He's also an excellent shooter and skilled scorer.  Not a guy you can use in a starting lineup without quality defenders providing cover for him, but he's better than anybody the Celts currently have.

A seven footer with that kind of offensive skill and the tools to become an above average multi positional defender would be very valuable.

Couldn't you say the same thing about Doug McDermott?

No, not really.

I feel like we are missing the point that McDermott and Mirotic are really awful defenders and Bender is a top 3 pick primarily for defensive reasons. Anyone would be foolish to pass up a guy who played offense at either of their levels and was even better on the defensive side of the ball.

He is versatile that cant guard one position properly at the moment.

If i had speights on my team for example, i would feed him the ball/iso ball all day and night

[Ilikesports17]

I'd be thrilled to have Mirotic on the Celts.

Mirotic is also 23. If Bender is that sort of player at 18, with much better measurables giving him a chance to become a far superior defender down the road, that would be remarkable.

Why?  He's a terrible defensive player, iirc.

He's also an excellent shooter and skilled scorer.  Not a guy you can use in a starting lineup without quality defenders providing cover for him, but he's better than anybody the Celts currently have.

A seven footer with that kind of offensive skill and the tools to become an above average multi positional defender would be very valuable.

Couldn't you say the same thing about Doug McDermott?

No, not really.

I feel like we are missing the point that McDermott and Mirotic are really awful defenders and Bender is a top 3 pick primarily for defensive reasons. Anyone would be foolish to pass up a guy who played offense at either of their levels and was even better on the defensive side of the ball.

He is versatile that cant guard one position properly at the moment.

If i had speights on my team for example, i would feed him the ball/iso ball all day and night

Thats fair, but from what Ive seen there is more optimism about him as a defender than as an offensive player.

[footey]

Triboy, Just curious, what was your scouting report on Porzingis two years ago when he was contemplating entering the draft and the Celtics seemed keen on taking him with the 17 pick? It is a fair question because that is the age that Bender is now (he's two years younger than Porzingis).

[Tr1boy]

Triboy, Just curious, what was your scouting report on Porzingis two years ago when he was contemplating entering the draft and the Celtics seemed keen on taking him with the 17 pick? It is a fair question because that is the age that Bender is now (he's two years younger than Porzingis).

Porzingiz , yes is still about 10-15 pounds away to handle the nba grind vs big players

But the kid has "nasty" plus "explosiveness" bender lacks

He also has a better /fluid jump shot.

He is a better prospect. They compare in some ways but overall are different type of players

[PhoSita]

If i had speights on my team for example, i would feed him the ball/iso ball all day and night

If you're ever wondering why you're not an NBA coach.... 

[Ed Hollison]

If i had speights on my team for example, i would feed him the ball/iso ball all day and night

Dude's 18

[footey]

Triboy, Just curious, what was your scouting report on Porzingis two years ago when he was contemplating entering the draft and the Celtics seemed keen on taking him with the 17 pick? It is a fair question because that is the age that Bender is now (he's two years younger than Porzingis).

Porzingiz , yes is still about 10-15 pounds away to handle the nba grind vs big players

But the kid has "nasty" plus "explosiveness" bender lacks

He also has a better /fluid jump shot.

He is a better prospect. They compare in some ways but overall are different type of players

Did you give the same opinion Porzingis 2 years ago before he pulled out?  Not sure if you were on this board then.

[chambers]

I'd be thrilled to have Mirotic on the Celts.

Mirotic is also 23. If Bender is that sort of player at 18, with much better measurables giving him a chance to become a far superior defender down the road, that would be remarkable.

Why?  He's a terrible defensive player, iirc.

He's also an excellent shooter and skilled scorer.  Not a guy you can use in a starting lineup without quality defenders providing cover for him, but he's better than anybody the Celts currently have.

A seven footer with that kind of offensive skill and the tools to become an above average multi positional defender would be very valuable.

Couldn't you say the same thing about Doug McDermott?

No, not really.

I feel like we are missing the point that McDermott and Mirotic are really awful defenders and Bender is a top 3 pick primarily for defensive reasons. Anyone would be foolish to pass up a guy who played offense at either of their levels and was even better on the defensive side of the ball.

He is versatile that cant guard one position properly at the moment.

If i had speights on my team for example, i would feed him the ball/iso ball all day and night

Yes, but Bender has never lifted weights before. He is a teenager. He has a solid frame and the capability to put on some serious muscle in the gym.

To counter your Speights 'iso' scenario, I'll just get a switch with Speights guarding Bender on the perimer and he'll either drive by Speights and then pass to the open shooter when help comes, or he'll hit the 3 pointer when Speights sags off...

Read this scouting report, shows some of Bender's good points, it's a really good read.
I'm not saying Bender is perfect, but he so far ahead of other players his age and size, with such versatility and IQ that he could be very special..He is an amazing passer for his age/size. His defensive intelligence is very high for his age and he reads defenses and plays as they evolve.


https://capstrategist.com/draft/draft-prospect-analysis-by-position/dragan-bender/

[tankcity!]

I'd be thrilled to have Mirotic on the Celts.

Mirotic is also 23. If Bender is that sort of player at 18, with much better measurables giving him a chance to become a far superior defender down the road, that would be remarkable.

Miotic is 25, and I like him too, but not with the number 3 overall pick. You're better off drafting Brown or Chriss if you don't think the other players available can be all stars.

Do we have any proof Bender can even shoot? There are a bunch of different numbers out there on him, so it's hard to make a concrete assumption. Also, Bender has said himself he doesn't like to gain weight because it will effect his foot speed. It was in one of the Bender articles posted on this board. It's a scary thought if he doesn't gain weight.

[Tr1boy]

I'd be thrilled to have Mirotic on the Celts.

Mirotic is also 23. If Bender is that sort of player at 18, with much better measurables giving him a chance to become a far superior defender down the road, that would be remarkable.

Why?  He's a terrible defensive player, iirc.

He's also an excellent shooter and skilled scorer.  Not a guy you can use in a starting lineup without quality defenders providing cover for him, but he's better than anybody the Celts currently have.

A seven footer with that kind of offensive skill and the tools to become an above average multi positional defender would be very valuable.

Couldn't you say the same thing about Doug McDermott?

No, not really.

I feel like we are missing the point that McDermott and Mirotic are really awful defenders and Bender is a top 3 pick primarily for defensive reasons. Anyone would be foolish to pass up a guy who played offense at either of their levels and was even better on the defensive side of the ball.

He is versatile that cant guard one position properly at the moment.

If i had speights on my team for example, i would feed him the ball/iso ball all day and night

Yes, but Bender has never lifted weights before. He is a teenager. He has a solid frame and the capability to put on some serious muscle in the gym.

To counter your Speights 'iso' scenario, I'll just get a switch with Speights guarding Bender on the perimer and he'll either drive by Speights and then pass to the open shooter when help comes, or he'll hit the 3 pointer when Speights sags off...

Read this scouting report, shows some of Bender's good points, it's a really good read.
I'm not saying Bender is perfect, but he so far ahead of other players his age and size, with such versatility and IQ that he could be very special..He is an amazing passer for his age/size. His defensive intelligence is very high for his age and he reads defenses and plays as they evolve.


https://capstrategist.com/draft/draft-prospect-analysis-by-position/dragan-bender/

Think about what you wrote for a sec....

He should be lifting weights regularly. What is he waiting for?

[Tr1boy]

I'd be thrilled to have Mirotic on the Celts.

Mirotic is also 23. If Bender is that sort of player at 18, with much better measurables giving him a chance to become a far superior defender down the road, that would be remarkable.

Miotic is 25, and I like him too, but not with the number 3 overall pick. You're better off drafting Brown or Chriss if you don't think the other players available can be all stars.

Do we have any proof Bender can even shoot? There are a bunch of different numbers out there on him, so it's hard to make a concrete assumption. Also, Bender has said himself he doesn't like to gain weight because it will effect his foot speed. It was in one of the Bender articles posted on this board. It's a scary thought if he doesn't gain weight.

I remember reading this somewhere also

He is 18 and never lifted weight?  He doesnt try is more like it

Sabonis as a freshman bulked up noticeably vs the year prior (as skinny as bender).  Sabonis understands how to prepare to become a proper nba pro.   Bender on the other hand....

Like i said. Comparable to Mirotic