SI Video on Bender

[playdream]

A taller, longer, faster D.Green?
Sign me up!
This kid has MVP potential

[Eddie20]

I like Bender, though I can't say I'm on the bandwagon.

That said, I think the Olynyk comparison is a little lazy. He certainly looks far more nimble than Kelly, and his overall mechanics (dribbling, shooting, etc) look more textbook from where I sit.

I see Bender as a taller/better defensive version of Schrempf. Schrempf in today's NBA would be the classic stretch 4. That's why there is so much excitement for Bender. If this were 20 years ago he wouldn't be receiving the same hype. The game has changed, yet you have posters here criticizing him for not having a classic back to the basket game.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I like Bender, though I can't say I'm on the bandwagon.

That said, I think the Olynyk comparison is a little lazy. He certainly looks far more nimble than Kelly, and his overall mechanics (dribbling, shooting, etc) look more textbook from where I sit.

I see Bender as a taller/better defensive version of Schrempf. Schrempf in today's NBA would be the classic stretch 4. That's why there is so much excitement for Bender. If this were 20 years ago he wouldn't be receiving the same hype. The game has changed, yet you have posters here criticizing him for not having a classic back to the basket game.

Agreed. Bender seems like the classic all-star potential stretch four for the modern NBA. The fact that he wouldn't fit in 20 years ago does not negate his abilities today.

[Eddie20]

I like Bender, though I can't say I'm on the bandwagon.

That said, I think the Olynyk comparison is a little lazy. He certainly looks far more nimble than Kelly, and his overall mechanics (dribbling, shooting, etc) look more textbook from where I sit.

I see Bender as a taller/better defensive version of Schrempf. Schrempf in today's NBA would be the classic stretch 4. That's why there is so much excitement for Bender. If this were 20 years ago he wouldn't be receiving the same hype. The game has changed, yet you have posters here criticizing him for not having a classic back to the basket game.

Agreed. Bender seems like the classic all-star potential stretch four for the modern NBA. The fact that he wouldn't fit in 20 years ago does not negate his abilities today.

Exactly. 20 years ago Draymond Green would never sniff the floor as 4, much less the 5, and he would never have been the player he is today. Hell, back then Anthony Mason was a 3, playing alongside Oakley and Ewing.

[max215]

I'm pretty sure Bender is the right guy to pick at three, though it may not show until a year or two from now.

Will Danny make the pick? Bender just doesn't feel like an Ainge selection.

Pho, I think Team Dragan is slowly dying. I'm starting to accept that Danny's going to take Murray or Brown.h

Don't give up yet!!! By all accounts Bender is one of the last for workouts with our top pick. What if Bender hits 86 3s and does 30 full courts in the boston marathon?
 

Yeah, it's the 21st I think. Well, at least we can hope still. Murray is your guy, right? I'm starting to come around on him.

I can talk myself into Murray, but Bender is my guy.

Ah, I didn't see your big board in your sig. I'm in the same boat.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I like Bender, though I can't say I'm on the bandwagon.

That said, I think the Olynyk comparison is a little lazy. He certainly looks far more nimble than Kelly, and his overall mechanics (dribbling, shooting, etc) look more textbook from where I sit.

I see Bender as a taller/better defensive version of Schrempf. Schrempf in today's NBA would be the classic stretch 4. That's why there is so much excitement for Bender. If this were 20 years ago he wouldn't be receiving the same hype. The game has changed, yet you have posters here criticizing him for not having a classic back to the basket game.

Agreed. Bender seems like the classic all-star potential stretch four for the modern NBA. The fact that he wouldn't fit in 20 years ago does not negate his abilities today.

Exactly. 20 years ago Draymond Green would never sniff the floor as 4, much less the 5, and he would never have been the player he is today. Hell, back then Anthony Mason was a 3, playing alongside Oakley and Ewing.

Great comparison. Back then, the goal was to dominate the paint and get as close to the basket as possible. Today, the goal is to stretch the defense to the three point line (or beyond if you are the Warriors) in multiple angles and look for ways to attack. Bender fits this mold as a stretch four or five.

[PhoSita]

What Bender offers is the ability to go "small' -- i.e. play a guy with ball handling, passing, and shooting ability at a position traditionally occupied by less-mobile, less-skilled big men -- without actually sacrificing height or length on defense. 

Offensively, his height should also be an advantage against other "small" lineups since he'll have an easier time shooting over small ball fours and even fives.

I suspect that teams that are able to field lineups that have the characteristics of "small ball" without actually being "small" will be among the most successful in the entire league over the next decade or so.

One need only go back and watch what Oklahoma City was able to do against the Warriors with Durant at the four to see what I'm talking about.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

What Bender offers is the ability to go "small' -- i.e. play a guy with ball handling, passing, and shooting ability at a position traditionally occupied by less-mobile, less-skilled big men -- without actually sacrificing height or length on defense. 

Offensively, his height should also be an advantage against other "small" lineups since he'll have an easier time shooting over small ball fours and even fives.

I suspect that teams that are able to field lineups that have the characteristics of "small ball" without actually being "small" will be among the most successful in the entire league over the next decade or so.

One need only go back and watch what Oklahoma City was able to do against the Warriors with Durant at the four to see what I'm talking about.

I agree with this. That's what makes Davis and Towns the future of the NBA. There are literally two 7 footers who can switch onto anyone anytime on defense and defend the rim while still being able to shoot outside, attack closeouts, and distribute to teammates.

Davis, Towns, and now Bender.

[kozlodoev]

This is just incredibly untrue. I'm supposing you've never played high level sports or trained with professionals over an extended period of time. Training in today's world is so much more than lifting weights and absolutely increases all athletic functions. Furthermore most trainers work to enhance genetic strengths.

I guess you'll enlighten us then?

His versatility is legit. It could turn him from a good player to a great one and I think it raises his floor considerably.

It means you can play close to the basket, especially defensively, and not be an embarrassment. Means you need to rebound, challenge shots, and be strong enough to body up players your size. If you can't do this (and the jury is still out), you're a glorified Ryan Anderson or Kelly Olynyk.

I'm not sure what to say about your list of playoff PFs. Many of those don't have the talent level to be mentioned in the same sentence with the 3rd pick. The most notable ones rebound and/or block shots.

[kozlodoev]

Exactly. 20 years ago Draymond Green would never sniff the floor as 4, much less the 5, and he would never have been the player he is today. Hell, back then Anthony Mason was a 3, playing alongside Oakley and Ewing.

Yes, and the two years after that he played alongside Glen Rice and Vlade Divac.

There were enough undersized frontcourt players who regularly played PFs in the 1990s, the most notable examples being Barkley, Rodman, and Clarence Weatherspoon.

[greenrunsdeep41]

This is just incredibly untrue. I'm supposing you've never played high level sports or trained with professionals over an extended period of time. Training in today's world is so much more than lifting weights and absolutely increases all athletic functions. Furthermore most trainers work to enhance genetic strengths.

I guess you'll enlighten us then?

His versatility is legit. It could turn him from a good player to a great one and I think it raises his floor considerably.

It means you can play close to the basket, especially defensively, and not be an embarrassment. Means you need to rebound, challenge shots, and be strong enough to body up players your size. If you can't do this (and the jury is still out), you're a glorified Ryan Anderson or Kelly Olynyk.

I'm not sure what to say about your list of playoff PFs. Many of those don't have the talent level to be mentioned in the same sentence with the 3rd pick. The most notable ones rebound and/or block shots.

Sure, I'm not exactly sure what you mean by enlighten because I feel as though I made a clear point. But I'd be happy to share my experience with you all. I played collegiate soccer for four years and employed a trainer each summer for 5 days a week. My weight barley changed, mostly only during bulk lifting periods, but my top speed, acceleration, footwork, most mechanics, overall coordination, leaping, and vertical abilities all dramtically increased. And these all took place when I was between the ages of 21-24. My trainer tested all of my natural skills and each summer would log my improvements. I mean, this was all with a really good trainer but certainly not of the level that the Celtics have, and no where near the facilities. I focused on eating, sleeping, work, and working out and my body reacted very well. I lost nothing, and gained everything. My 40 went from 4.8 to 4.6 and my very went from 31 to 35. Those are general tests but are usually indicative of overall athletic improvement.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This is just incredibly untrue. I'm supposing you've never played high level sports or trained with professionals over an extended period of time. Training in today's world is so much more than lifting weights and absolutely increases all athletic functions. Furthermore most trainers work to enhance genetic strengths.

I guess you'll enlighten us then?

His versatility is legit. It could turn him from a good player to a great one and I think it raises his floor considerably.

It means you can play close to the basket, especially defensively, and not be an embarrassment. Means you need to rebound, challenge shots, and be strong enough to body up players your size. If you can't do this (and the jury is still out), you're a glorified Ryan Anderson or Kelly Olynyk.

I'm not sure what to say about your list of playoff PFs. Many of those don't have the talent level to be mentioned in the same sentence with the 3rd pick. The most notable ones rebound and/or block shots.

I know you can't be convinced, but the playoff power forwards are proof positive of what works in the modern NBA. They are key cogs in the modern NBA offense in order to open the court up, even if they aren't scoring a lot.

If that forward can also shoot, attack closeouts, and distribute on pick-and-rolls, the offense becomes even more deadly. If they can switch on defense (because the switching neutralizes the stretch fours strength while also not losing solid defense on ball), then that scheme is extremely frustrating for offenses.

The key for Bender will be whether or not he can take advantage of matchups, and whether or not he can hold his own on defense against the minimal postup attempts in the modern NBA. I think he can. I also would like to have someone who can defend the rim in help situations. Again, I think he can learn that.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This is just incredibly untrue. I'm supposing you've never played high level sports or trained with professionals over an extended period of time. Training in today's world is so much more than lifting weights and absolutely increases all athletic functions. Furthermore most trainers work to enhance genetic strengths.

I guess you'll enlighten us then?

His versatility is legit. It could turn him from a good player to a great one and I think it raises his floor considerably.

It means you can play close to the basket, especially defensively, and not be an embarrassment. Means you need to rebound, challenge shots, and be strong enough to body up players your size. If you can't do this (and the jury is still out), you're a glorified Ryan Anderson or Kelly Olynyk.

I'm not sure what to say about your list of playoff PFs. Many of those don't have the talent level to be mentioned in the same sentence with the 3rd pick. The most notable ones rebound and/or block shots.

Sure, I'm not exactly sure what you mean by enlighten because I feel as though I made a clear point. But I'd be happy to share my experience with you all. I played collegiate soccer for four years and employed a trainer each summer for 5 days a week. My weight barley changed, mostly only during bulk lifting periods, but my top speed, acceleration, footwork, most mechanics, overall coordination, leaping, and vertical abilities all dramtically increased. And these all took place when I was between the ages of 21-24. My trainer tested all of my natural skills and each summer would log my improvements. I mean, this was all with a really good trainer but certainly not of the level that the Celtics have, and no where near the facilities. I focused on eating, sleeping, work, and working out and my body reacted very well. I lost nothing, and gained everything. My 40 went from 4.8 to 4.6 and my very went from 31 to 35. Those are general tests but are usually indicative of overall athletic improvement.

Awesome. TP. I played some low-level collegiate soccer. I never had a legit trainer or weight-lifting program. Anything I did, I did myself, but I noticed the change also.

[kozlodoev]

This is just incredibly untrue. I'm supposing you've never played high level sports or trained with professionals over an extended period of time. Training in today's world is so much more than lifting weights and absolutely increases all athletic functions. Furthermore most trainers work to enhance genetic strengths.

I guess you'll enlighten us then?

His versatility is legit. It could turn him from a good player to a great one and I think it raises his floor considerably.

It means you can play close to the basket, especially defensively, and not be an embarrassment. Means you need to rebound, challenge shots, and be strong enough to body up players your size. If you can't do this (and the jury is still out), you're a glorified Ryan Anderson or Kelly Olynyk.

I'm not sure what to say about your list of playoff PFs. Many of those don't have the talent level to be mentioned in the same sentence with the 3rd pick. The most notable ones rebound and/or block shots.

I know you can't be convinced, but the playoff power forwards are proof positive of what works in the modern NBA. They are key cogs in the modern NBA offense in order to open the court up, even if they aren't scoring a lot.

If that forward can also shoot, attack closeouts, and distribute on pick-and-rolls, the offense becomes even more deadly. If they can switch on defense (because the switching neutralizes the stretch fours strength while also not losing solid defense on ball), then that scheme is extremely frustrating for offenses.

The key for Bender will be whether or not he can take advantage of matchups, and whether or not he can hold his own on defense against the minimal postup attempts in the modern NBA. I think he can. I also would like to have someone who can defend the rim in help situations. Again, I think he can learn that.

I'm not sure how any of this relates to what I said. I think it goes without saying that today's PF should be able to step 15 feet away from the basket and not be a complete dud that doesn't affect the game. That's not the point.

But if you simply dismiss all my concerns about Bender with "I think he can learn", I'm guessing you can't be convinced either.

[CoachBo]

And if "I think he can learn" is all you've got on the 3rd pick in the draft, that player should in no possible way be considered for that pick. It's a total misuse of the best pick the Celtics have had in 20 years.

Ainge can do better. And he should be expected to do better. Thankfully, he appears to have shaken off Bender-mania.