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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Aggression/Passion

PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 4: Dragan Bender #35 and Tyson Chandler #4 of the Phoenix Suns react against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 4, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 4: Dragan Bender #35 and Tyson Chandler #4 of the Phoenix Suns react against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 4, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

If you have watched Dragan play at all this season, you have seen that he has a new level of aggressiveness and energy to his game and persona that was entirely non-existent last season. Some of this could have something (or everything) to do with the coaching change, but Bender in particular has looked like someone who belongs on an NBA court, whereas last season, he looked absolutely lost on it.

This aggression and fire is generally unquantifiable, although it is obvious. In particular, a 3-point shot he took against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 11.

It was late in the quarter and the Suns were on their way to completing a surprising comeback when Bender hit a 3 from the right arc giving Phoenix the lead. The arena exploded, the Suns bench exploded, and Dragan Bender had never show so much excitement in a game to that point in his career.

His all-around effort has been outstanding, and it has translated to significantly more minutes than he had received in his rookie season. In fact, he is averaging 7.5 minutes more per game this season than last, and while he has not yet been rewarded with a spot in the starting lineup, many fans have called for Marquese Chriss’ replacement with Dragan Bender.

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