After a generally lackluster and ineffective first season with the Phoenix Suns, many people had questions a..."/> After a generally lackluster and ineffective first season with the Phoenix Suns, many people had questions a..."/>
Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Five reasons Dragan Bender is turning the corner

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 19: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns gets introduced before the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 19, 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 - NOVEMBER 19: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns gets introduced before the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 19, 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) /
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Fadeaways

If you watched the Suns and Lakers on Sunday, November 13, you saw something that made you say: “WOW!”

Late in the third quarter, Bender posted up on Corey Brewer from about 15-feet out. Unlike Devin Booker who, in a very entertaining move, backed Lonzo Ball back from about 18-feet out all the way to under the basket dropping in an easy hook, Bender flicked his left shoulder, pick up his dribble, and in an instant turned over his right shoulder and while fading away put up an unblockable shot. The result: swish.

This was the first time that Suns fans saw this shot, but the smoothness of the move itself coupled with the confidence with which he put it up was proof of practice.

So far Dragan Bender is still very far from being a focal point in the Suns’ offense. Not only is he consistently still only a 4th or 5th option when on the court, but his shooting inconsistency rightfully on occasion gives the guards reason to pause when in the motions of the offense.

However, should that single shot have not been a mirage, and should the fadeaway not only develop but a greater consistency of scoring develop as well, then Bender may be building his game up right before our eyes to become at least a third option on offense, if not eventually a second.

This shot needs to continue to be cultivated. It needs to be seen on a nightly basis. As broadcaster Tom Chambers says, he needs to act like a 7-footer, and adding a post-up game would be a fabulous addition to not only his repertoire, but the team’s ability to turn a failed fastbreak opportunity into a certain shot.

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