[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

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 for the Celtics. 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. 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 This is probably a recycled comp but I like the Toni Kukoc one. 

Bender seems like he’s got the guard skills in a 7-foot body and while he isn’t the bounciest athlete, he’s effective because he’s long and he can handle the ball. He’s a good passer, and a solid shooter. 

The area where that comp doesnt really hold up is rebounding where it would appear Bender is much further along. Kukoc wasn’t a great rebounder…though I guess when you are playing with Rodman, Pippen and Jordan, there aren’t alot of rebounds left. 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 This is probably a recycled comp but I like the Toni Kukoc one. 

Bender seems like he’s got the guard skills in a 7-foot body and while he isn’t the bounciest athlete, he’s effective because he’s long and he can handle the ball. He’s a good passer, and a solid shooter. 

The area where that comp doesnt really hold up is rebounding where it would appear Bender is much further along. Kukoc wasn’t a great rebounder…though I guess when you are playing with Rodman, Pippen and Jordan, there aren’t alot of rebounds left. 

 

 

 

 

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