Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Way too early predictions for the 2018-19 Phoenix Suns

By Adam Maynes

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 03: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns sets the play against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on January 3, 2018 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. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 03: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns sets the play against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on January 3, 2018 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. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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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) /

Dragan Bender

Dragan Bender‘s Summer League left many wondering if he has a next level in his development, or if we have seen all there is to see in who he is and that he will ever live up to being the fourth overall pick in a draft.

The biggest disappointment in my mind is the fact that his shooting didn’t look all that good in the Summer at all. He made a few 3’s, but his shot was often rushed, he still doesn’t have an arch, and the majority of his misses were off the front of the rim – the same problem he had with his shot last season.

He too never really took any initiative in the offense, regularly picking up the dribble around the 3-point line waiting to hand the ball off to a curling point guard, never taking anyone off the dribble, and never posting up a defender who he should have size advantages over.

Therefore my bold prediction of Dragan Bender is actually a sad one, that this season will be more of the same as his first two seasons. He isn’t going to show any great strides, he’s not going to make any believers out of current none-believers, and statistically he is going to be relatively stagnant.

If he can keep his 3-point percentage above 36% that will be a victory for he and the Suns, but if no improvements come, then he may find himself wearing another team’s threads by 2019.

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