Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Dragan Bender is being held back

Adam Maynes|
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 20: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns stretches prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 20: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns stretches prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
2 of 4

What can Bender do to Improve Himself

PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 7: Jared Dudley #3 of the Phoenix Suns goes up for a rebound against the Washington Wizards on December 7, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 7: Jared Dudley #3 of the Phoenix Suns goes up for a rebound against the Washington Wizards on December 7, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

He needs to learn from Jared Dudley

While I believe that most of the problems facing Bender’s slow growth falls on the game plan, there is one aspect that he must improve himself first before his teammates and coaching staff can fully utilize his maximum potential.

Bender’s minutes over the past two games are far below his season average. Although he has averaged just over 20 minutes per game this season, his last two games have sunk to a season low, 12:47 against Toronto and only 7:05 in the first half versus Washington.

While Dudley, a power forward, doesn’t quite make his teammates better in the sense that a point guard could, and there shouldn’t be a similar expectation for Dragan, what J.D. does bring that Bender doesn’t is extreme energy that is funneled through a smart reckless abandon, utilizing his brief bursts of minutes with absolute maximum energy and movement.

While Bender does play hard and runs back and forth from offense to defense without even the slightest hesitation, he doesn’t have that same intensity that Dudley brings to the court. Instead his energy is very isolated, and not necessarily something that is infectious to his teammates.

Dudley too coaches his teammates on the court, something that as a veteran he not only has the experience but the responsibility to do. However, if Bender see’s something on the court that needs to be shared, he absolutely has a responsibility to let his teammates know as well, even if he has to get into it with his teammates.

Bender doesn’t need to be a team captain the way that Dudley is, but he could absolutely bring the same energy, fire, passion, and leadership that Dudley brings, something that not only helps his teammates, but makes him that much more effective on both ends of the court.

Home/Suns News