If you have time just watch the games. There are probably 20-30 on YouTube, some of them linked in this thread. His defense is squarely between "below average" and "trainwreck". Physically, he edges toward average, mostly due to his length. Developmentally, it is not pretty. You can literally see him thinking and not in a good way. Nothing comes naturally. His lateral mobility and leaping are poor. His base and core strength are very poor. First step is poor. Unable to cut off driving lanes. Average recovery speed. Not an impactful weak side shot blocker. Poor rebounding and box out technique. Not an intangibles guy. Basically, the exact opposite of Andrei Kirilenko.
Really? Your assessment of Bender's defensive potential runs contrary to that of professional scouts:
Part of what makes Bender such a high-level prospect is that in addition to his high offensive skill level, he is a versatile and impactful player on the defensive end. Like on offense, he’s not great at one thing in particular but he’s an above average interior and perimeter defender for his size.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMxs6mhWSIE&feature=youtu.be
Of course the scout notes that Bender needs to improve his strength to become an effective post defender but he continues on to say:
Bender has the lateral quicks to be a devastating switch all screens level of defender, but refinement in his defensive fundamentals is necessary for him to get there. Either way, he should be a good defender in pick and roll situations with the ability to hedge and recover well or switch if his teammate needs it. Bender’s combination of small forward type mobility as a 7-footer with shot blocking instincts makes him an enticing defensive prospect.
Source:
http://upsidemotor.com/2015/08/17/dragan-bender-kristaps-porzingis-fiba-scouting-report-crotia-2016-nba-draft/
Yea that quote confused me also, seeing as Dragan is mainly as high as he is due to his immense defensive potential. He isn't a "shot blocker" even though he blocks a few, but his utterly absurd lateral quickness and ability to react to plays are what set him apart from every other big man. He projects as an elite perimeter defender (for a big) and a highly above average to elite paint protector (weak side shot blocker, not post defender) in an era when these skills are in the highest demand. His ability to switch anything is uncanny. He also runs like a gazelle (said to death I know, but its true, just watch him in the open floor.)
Ive watched a lot of his clips (the random Israeli ones too,) and while I am on the fence about him, there are 2 things that stick out. 1.) His mobility is amazing defensively for someone of his stature. 2.) He already makes heady plays defensively that are surprising for a 18 year old.
The 18 year old comes with a grain of salt, namely that he is still prone to the same types of defensive lapses most 18 year olds are. These include being slightly out of position, or commiting too hard on a particular defensive move (either swinging to a shooter or getting put into the air by a fake.)
Topic: If Ainge picks Dragon Bender (Read 29129 times)