Thoughts on Dragan Bender?

 Is he 7’1 barefoot like porzingis or is that his measurement with sneaks on?

 Is he 7’1 barefoot like porzingis or is that his measurement with sneaks on?

If Bender declares this year, he would be one of the most inexperienced picks ever. Porzingis played two seasons in spanish league, the best league in Europe and was leader of his team last season. Bender plays in garbage time for Maccabi this year

If Bender declares this year, he would be one of the most inexperienced picks ever. Porzingis played two seasons in spanish league, the best league in Europe and was leader of his team last season. Bender plays in garbage time for Maccabi this year

 There will be comparisions to Porzingis but they look to be different types of players from the limited amount of footage I’ve seen on Bender. Porz looks to be at least 20lbs heavier and more of a defensive presence whilst Bender looks more of a stretch 4.

I was interested to discover how few minutes Bender has been playing for Maccabi so to make the jump to the NBA and to become part of rotation would be a big step. Also if there is an issue about him not being able to come to the NBA until 2019 then I wonder what is the justification for him being so high on mock boards apart from his obvious upside.

 There will be comparisions to Porzingis but they look to be different types of players from the limited amount of footage I’ve seen on Bender. Porz looks to be at least 20lbs heavier and more of a defensive presence whilst Bender looks more of a stretch 4.

I was interested to discover how few minutes Bender has been playing for Maccabi so to make the jump to the NBA and to become part of rotation would be a big step. Also if there is an issue about him not being able to come to the NBA until 2019 then I wonder what is the justification for him being so high on mock boards apart from his obvious upside.

 I think he’ll need to season overseas for multiple seasons. Not ideal for a top 5 pick, so I think he’ll end up being late lotto.

 I think he’ll need to season overseas for multiple seasons. Not ideal for a top 5 pick, so I think he’ll end up being late lotto.

 Everybody forgets that one year ago, almost everybody thought Porzingis was way too skinny and not ready for the NBA.

Now people (who forget) say no way is Bender ready for the NBA.

Last year Porzingis weighed around 225, weighed about 230 at his pre-draft workout in Vegas, then showed up opening night weighing about 241.

Bender said he weighs 102-103 kilos, which comes out to 222-225 lbs.

He could easily get up to 240 lbs by opening day next year with discipline and a little luck.

In the new Dx interview, what really stands out is how Dragan has a very similar disposition to Porzingis.

Bender is humble, rational, confident, and highly focused, in addition to being aware of his unique physical tools. Just like Porzingis.

Porzingis appears to be an 1-1.5" taller than Bender, and a 3-5" longer wingspan. 

I also suspect Porzingis will end up as the better 3 point shooter.

The advantage Bender has is a little more quickness/agility than Porzingis.

Porzingis is able to switch on to guards and defend them well because he’s agile and has a Huge wingspan.

Bender will be just as good defending smaller players because he has that great quickness despite a shorter wingspan. And let’s face it, being 1" or 1.5" shorter than Porzingis is actually better suited for perimeter defense.

Porzingis was Exactly as frail and weak looking one year ago, as Bender looks now.

But one other difference between the two is that Bender knows he’s quick enough to play NBA minutes at SF, in addition to PF, while Porzingis focused on adding weight to be a PF-C.

Long term both Bender and Porzingis project to be ideal new age NBA centers, but Bender will take a lot longer to get there. Not only is he a couple years younger than Porzingis, but Bender has no intention of trying to gain 20 lbs in the next 8 months. He knows his agility is his best asset, and he knows how unique he is to be 7’1" with that kind of agility and quickness.

Bender is going to continue focusing on his guard skills, while Porzingis has shifted to focusing on post offense and defense.

Bender’s quickness and young age makes him arguably an equal or perhaps even better prospect than Porzingis, but Bender may never be the 3 point shooter or shot blocker.

I believe Kirilinko was used as a comparison for Kristaps last year, and that comparison might be even better for Bender. But in 5 years they’ll both be dominant centers in the Lakers Pau Gasol mold, but even better.

 Everybody forgets that one year ago, almost everybody thought Porzingis was way too skinny and not ready for the NBA.

Now people (who forget) say no way is Bender ready for the NBA.

Last year Porzingis weighed around 225, weighed about 230 at his pre-draft workout in Vegas, then showed up opening night weighing about 241.

Bender said he weighs 102-103 kilos, which comes out to 222-225 lbs.

He could easily get up to 240 lbs by opening day next year with discipline and a little luck.

In the new Dx interview, what really stands out is how Dragan has a very similar disposition to Porzingis.

Bender is humble, rational, confident, and highly focused, in addition to being aware of his unique physical tools. Just like Porzingis.

Porzingis appears to be an 1-1.5" taller than Bender, and a 3-5" longer wingspan. 

I also suspect Porzingis will end up as the better 3 point shooter.

The advantage Bender has is a little more quickness/agility than Porzingis.

Porzingis is able to switch on to guards and defend them well because he’s agile and has a Huge wingspan.

Bender will be just as good defending smaller players because he has that great quickness despite a shorter wingspan. And let’s face it, being 1" or 1.5" shorter than Porzingis is actually better suited for perimeter defense.

Porzingis was Exactly as frail and weak looking one year ago, as Bender looks now.

But one other difference between the two is that Bender knows he’s quick enough to play NBA minutes at SF, in addition to PF, while Porzingis focused on adding weight to be a PF-C.

Long term both Bender and Porzingis project to be ideal new age NBA centers, but Bender will take a lot longer to get there. Not only is he a couple years younger than Porzingis, but Bender has no intention of trying to gain 20 lbs in the next 8 months. He knows his agility is his best asset, and he knows how unique he is to be 7’1" with that kind of agility and quickness.

Bender is going to continue focusing on his guard skills, while Porzingis has shifted to focusing on post offense and defense.

Bender’s quickness and young age makes him arguably an equal or perhaps even better prospect than Porzingis, but Bender may never be the 3 point shooter or shot blocker.

I believe Kirilinko was used as a comparison for Kristaps last year, and that comparison might be even better for Bender. But in 5 years they’ll both be dominant centers in the Lakers Pau Gasol mold, but even better.

 Bender looks like the real deal. He obviously has the stature but what stands out are his hands, feet, passing ability and basketball IQ. 

I see him as a Detlef Schrempf type with a little better defense, not on the level of AK47 but better than his idol Kukoc. 

 Bender looks like the real deal. He obviously has the stature but what stands out are his hands, feet, passing ability and basketball IQ. 

I see him as a Detlef Schrempf type with a little better defense, not on the level of AK47 but better than his idol Kukoc. 

If he’s a 4, like I think he is, it’ll hurt his value because he’ll have trouble keeping up with NBA 4’s. I don’t know what his wingspan, but it looks average to under average for his height. So he won’t protect the rim. Other than that, he’s very skilled and has a nice looking shot. I think the positional issues and the fact that he’s not coming over this year hurt his draft stock in the end. I think he falls out of the top 5, but not by much.

Thinking any player is the next Porzingas is ludicrous. As Durant says, Porzingas is a unicorn. And unicorns don’t grow on trees. I think Porzingas has driven up Dragan’s stock.

Side note: Dragan Bender is an awesome name for a character in a Hobbit movie.

If he’s a 4, like I think he is, it’ll hurt his value because he’ll have trouble keeping up with NBA 4’s. I don’t know what his wingspan, but it looks average to under average for his height. So he won’t protect the rim. Other than that, he’s very skilled and has a nice looking shot. I think the positional issues and the fact that he’s not coming over this year hurt his draft stock in the end. I think he falls out of the top 5, but not by much.

Thinking any player is the next Porzingas is ludicrous. As Durant says, Porzingas is a unicorn. And unicorns don’t grow on trees. I think Porzingas has driven up Dragan’s stock.

Side note: Dragan Bender is an awesome name for a character in a Hobbit movie.

 sixers will draft him, adding a 4th center

 sixers will draft him, adding a 4th center

 It will be interesting to see how his draft workouts pay off, if he did start to fall a bit, he could be the type of player that a play off team might look to trade up and take. He would not have a high draft pick tag hanging around his neck and could be developed slowly on a competitive team.

If he does go high there are many scenarios about where he might go, I’d rule out Philly as they have so many frontcourters. Lakers may want to take a star quality player but would surely look at him. T-Wolves have KAT in situ and Dieng doing well also Pekovic when he is sound and KG as a veteran presence but with KG on his last lap and Pekovic likrly to be moved then he could fit in there and having KG as a mentor would be great for him.

Phoenix have Chandler, Len and Morris but would need to consider him, Boston with Nets pick would be a decent fit but would he be the star player Boston need. NOP could use him around the Brow and he’d not have the pressure of being seen as the go to man.

Denver have a couple of young Euro C’s and Faried but Bender gives them another option and Denver have a good record with Euro guys.

The Bucks have an exciting young roster and Bender would fit in nicely playing around Henson, Monroe, Parker and the Greek Freak.

My lighter hearted point about Bender is that a team who maybe passed on Porz last year decide they are not going to risk passing on a similar type of player and take a real flyer on him regardless.

 It will be interesting to see how his draft workouts pay off, if he did start to fall a bit, he could be the type of player that a play off team might look to trade up and take. He would not have a high draft pick tag hanging around his neck and could be developed slowly on a competitive team.

If he does go high there are many scenarios about where he might go, I’d rule out Philly as they have so many frontcourters. Lakers may want to take a star quality player but would surely look at him. T-Wolves have KAT in situ and Dieng doing well also Pekovic when he is sound and KG as a veteran presence but with KG on his last lap and Pekovic likrly to be moved then he could fit in there and having KG as a mentor would be great for him.

Phoenix have Chandler, Len and Morris but would need to consider him, Boston with Nets pick would be a decent fit but would he be the star player Boston need. NOP could use him around the Brow and he’d not have the pressure of being seen as the go to man.

Denver have a couple of young Euro C’s and Faried but Bender gives them another option and Denver have a good record with Euro guys.

The Bucks have an exciting young roster and Bender would fit in nicely playing around Henson, Monroe, Parker and the Greek Freak.

My lighter hearted point about Bender is that a team who maybe passed on Porz last year decide they are not going to risk passing on a similar type of player and take a real flyer on him regardless.

"competitor who has a relentless motor"

Ridiculous nonsense. Anyone that ever saw him plays knows that is a complete lie.

"competitor who has a relentless motor"

Ridiculous nonsense. Anyone that ever saw him plays knows that is a complete lie.