When the Phoenix Suns drafted Dragan Bender fourth overall in 2016, they projected the young Croatian player to be a franchise cornerstone. However, it’s simply too early in his career and development to realize his ceiling.
As Bender moves into his second season, there’s high expectation, excitement, and concern. With all eyes on the Dragon, it appears he’ll be given an opportunity to showcase whether he’s lotto-worthy or not.
The Golden State Warriors’ superteam of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are primed to continue their championship dynasty for at least the next two or three years. However, the Suns are all-in on a youth movement that appears to include Bender. By 2020 those Warrior players will be into their 30’s, while the bedrock of young players in Phoenix, nick-named “The Timeline,” could begin a quest for an NBA title.
In 26 minutes of play in December against the Houston Rockets, Bender posted his first NBA career double-double (11 points and 13 rebounds) to go along with two assists, three steals, and two blocked shots. It was his best NBA performance, and followed-up with a 10 point, four rebound performance in 27 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs. Coach Earl Watson described a “fearlessness” in Bender’s eyes and a “sense of conviction” in his play on the court.
On April 2, his first game back from surgery to remove a bone spur from his right ankle, Bender would give another glimpse of what could be.
On four of nine shooting, including one of three from three-point range, Bender posted nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 14 minutes against Houston again.
Bender’s basketball skills are those of a potentially high level versatile NBA player. He can potentially play the three, four, and five, and Watson’s vision to use him in different ways -including as a point forward – are well publicized. Bender was fantastic at pushing the ball up the court on stops and misses in Summer League.
There’s likely untapped ability to occasionally handle point guard duties and create offense, but he’s 19 so we shouldn’t get too far ahead of ourselves. Confidence and smart coaching are vital in developing this skill. Bender’s expressed admiration for Draymond Green’s versatility and toughness, and from a young age his fandom to fellow Croatian Tony Kukoc and his ability to pass, handle the ball, shoot, and rebound, are hopefully too a glimpse into the kind of game he will have during his prime.
But there were growing pains in his first season, and the consensus appears split on Bender’s ceiling. He played in 43 games last season and averaged 3.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists. He didn’t look particularly comfortable initiating the offense in Summer League (there were only a few opportunities). Fortunately now Bender is healthy and was clearly more confident throughout this most recent Summer League.
NBA Summer League Statistics
Year GP MPG PTS FGM-FGA FG% RPG APG SPG BPG
2016 5 32.0 8.6 14-51 27.5 5.6 1.0 1.00 1.00
Year GP MPG PTS FGM-FGA FG% RPG APG SPG BPG
2017 5 31.4 14.2 26-66 39.4 6.0 2.4 0.40 0.20
A Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss front court is an exciting possibility for the Suns, as they head into the 2017-18 season. Bender’s three-point shooting and lateral quickness, alongside a beefier and offensively diverse Chriss, could be very special as the two gain experience.
Dragan Bender is a player who can fill out a stat sheet, and he appears ready to take a big step this season. His size, ability to pass, dribble drive to the basket, and ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting, fits well with today’s NBA game.
As he grows into his role and gains confidence in his versatile skills, his ceiling could become much higher than many critics expect.
And the higher he reaches, the more of an anchor he becomes in the future of “the Timeline.”
Statistical and verbal sources were collected from:
www.cbssports.com
www.arizonasports.com
www.nba.com