Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Imagine DeAndre Ayton and Dragan Bender together

By Adam Maynes

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 10: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 10, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 10: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 10, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 19: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets on January 19, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 19: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Trey Lyles #7 of the Denver Nuggets on January 19, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Passing

While many Suns fans are still dead-set on Phoenix drafting Luka Doncic, they are excited about his potential because of the position-less nature of his game, and his ability to both shoot and pass with extraordinary skill and un-matched vision. He is a taller ball-handler (listed at 6’7″) and seems to fit the profile of the newest multi skill-set player that so many NBA general managers are seeking.

Dragan Bender is not  Luka Doncic. But he does fit that profile, somewhat, and his passing is something that should not be sneered at – God knows that he did a ton of that last season when he was afraid to shoot or drive.

If the Suns run with Brandon Knight at point guard, or find a suitable upgrade by some other means (although still, presumably, a traditional point guard in both height and stature), then Bender’s ability to see over defenses and pass on a dime will be something that will need to be utilized.

The beauty of Head Coach Igor Kokoskov’s offense is that it is predicated on passing and movement. This suits Bender very well, and as a big who can shoot (more on that soon), he will pull opposing bigs out to him opening up space in the lane for slashers, and relieving Ayton of double-teams. Bender’s decision-making and passing, then, will be a hugely effective and important. Maybe being such a passive player under Earl Watson and Jay Triano might actually set him up beautifully for Igor’s style of play.

Bender only averaged 2.3 assists per-36 min last season, something that, on paper, is nothing special.

Over 43% of his passes though went straight to a point guard, with an additional 14.2% that went to Devin Booker.

However, in an offense that is more open and free-flowing, Bender will be able to utilize his passing skills to open up scoring for many players, and make dump-off passes to Ayton in the post garnering a few extra assists in that manner.

Believe it or not, if Bender just doubled his assist rate per-36 minutes to 4.6, he would have been third on the team in (presumed) returning players behind only Tyler Ulis and Devin Booker. For him to double that number would not only be a true accomplishment, but a sign that the unicorn in him is finally beginning to release itself.

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