Dragan Bender's Best NBA Comparison

[Beat LA]

From J. Givony of Draft Express:
   

Bender's most underrated quality is his toughness. Some may look at his lanky frame and assume he's just another soft European 7-footer who only wants to hide on the perimeter and jack up 3-pointers, but in reality that couldn't be further from the truth.

    Bender is a competitor who has a relentless motor. He was forced to sit out the initial part of a recent practice we attended to continue to rehab his foot injury (causing most of the dozen NBA scouts in attendance to leave), but begged his way back onto the floor. He proceeded to throw his body around with reckless abandon in five-on-five action. Maccabi's staff urged him to take it easy, but Bender simply doesn't know how to do that at this point in his career. He ended up tweaking his ankle after pursuing a rebound, which finally put him back on the sidelines.

    "The kid is simply special," a member of Maccabi's coaching told The Vertical. "I've never been around someone that age with that kind of character. He's not afraid of anything or anyone."

Hmm. It sounds like a bit of hype, but even in games its obvious he works hard. You can't say he is lazy or lacks character.

Combine hard work, scrappiness, 7'1'' frame, and 20 more pounds of muscle, and we got something.

Marc Stein also approves:

"He wants to be a defender. We haven't always seen that from guys in Europe."

https://youtu.be/ZO-2M2XkP4k?t=31

Every time I see Marc Stein now I have to remind myself that I'm not watching an episode of Two and a Half Men .

[Beat LA]

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.

[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.

[chambers]

There's a fantastic scouting report on Bender at capstrategist.com and i suggest everyone interested, whether you like him or not, have a read.
He says his absolute floor is nikola Mirotic on offense with a draymond green 'lite' versatility on defense. Given his IQ, age and the fact he's never actually lifted weights, he's clearly the #3 pick because of his mobility and court awareness as a 7 footer with range.
Strong case for Bender indeed.

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

[Ilikesports17]

Mirotic on O and Draymond Green lite on D is well worth the 3rd pick.

Now I've got no idea if that's what he actually is, but if that's what he is I hope we pick him.

[Denis998]

Bargs

[Beat LA]

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?

[OldSchoolDude]

I think Benders can come in as a rookie and be like Mike Miller, but 7'1 not 6'8.  They both hover around the perimeter and shoot 3s, with the occasional drive to the rim on O but can play solid defense (perimeter D).   If Bender can come in and immediately give you what Miller can now, as a rookie, thats pretty good for a rookie, not great but pretty good.  I think he can easily average 12ps, 7 boards, a block, and a steal as a rookie.  Its late and I have no time to check stats but I would guess those would be better numbers than both KO and Sully.  Again not great but once he gains weight, and tell me what 18 year old weighs the same at 22, he could be a serious beast.  I think his absolute floor is Rick Smits with a 40+% 3 point shot and his ceiling is probably something we haven't seen yet. 

[TA9]

Jan Vesely % the athleticism.
The guy is average at best. He can't defend and is mainly used as three point specialist. Great... just what we needed

[BornReady]

I think Benders can come in as a rookie and be like Mike Miller, but 7'1 not 6'8.  They both hover around the perimeter and shoot 3s, with the occasional drive to the rim on O but can play solid defense (perimeter D).   If Bender can come in and immediately give you what Miller can now, as a rookie, thats pretty good for a rookie, not great but pretty good.  I think he can easily average 12ps, 7 boards, a block, and a steal as a rookie.  Its late and I have no time to check stats but I would guess those would be better numbers than both KO and Sully.  Again not great but once he gains weight, and tell me what 18 year old weighs the same at 22, he could be a serious beast.  I think his absolute floor is Rick Smits with a 40+% 3 point shot and his ceiling is probably something we haven't seen yet.

I like the rick smits floor comparison offensively
but i also like the previously mentioned mirotic offensively

its tough to make a comparison because physically and skills wise he is unique but also we haven't seen enough of him to translate his play to nba

[Celtics4ever]

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

Thanks for the share, I still think if all this was true not more play time.   I think scouts are part of the hype machine now, instead of scouting.   We seen this in Exum's case as well.   This serves no one save the player and their agent and one wonders if some of these scouts are not on the take.

[Tr1boy]

Mirotic on O and Draymond Green lite on D is well worth the 3rd pick.

Now I've got no idea if that's what he actually is, but if that's what he is I hope we pick him.

Draymond Green lite?

How does this comparison make any sense.  Green is really strong , tough and rarely misses boxing out to grab rebounds

[mmmmm]

Mirotic on O and Draymond Green lite on D is well worth the 3rd pick.

Now I've got no idea if that's what he actually is, but if that's what he is I hope we pick him.

Draymond Green lite?

How does this comparison make any sense.  Green is really strong , tough and rarely misses boxing out to grab rebounds

But that isn't what makes Draymond Green uniquely valuable in the modern NBA.  Otherwise Reggie Jefferson would be a max contract player.

And that isn't the quality people are comparing Bender to.

[CoachBo]

I look at Bender, and I see Henry Finkel.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Jan Vesely % the athleticism.
The guy is average at best. He can't defend and is mainly used as three point specialist. Great... just what we needed

Except Bender will be more skilled and 3 years younger when he enters the NBA.