FIBA Eurobasket 2017

[AsUdUdE]

The FIBA Eurobasket tournament is under way and there are a number of intriguing storylines to watch.

Obviously #1 for Phoenix Suns fans is Dragan Bender:

Bender's stat line for the Croatia's first tilt against Hungary was underwhelming. 2 points on 1/2 shooting 1 rebound in 15 minutes off the bench.

But as is the case with many of Bender's games, his impact was far more than that. Case and point, after playing just 5 minutes in the first half and not at all in the third quarter, heavily favored Croatia found itself down 53-52 heading into the fourth.

Bender's return immediately improved Croatia on defense as he altered a number of shots, switched onto shorter guards causing two turnovers because of it and all around blanketed the Hungary offense. In fact, Hungary scored just 5 points the entire fourth quarter that Bender played and Croatia pulled away winning by 9.

On the offensive end, Bender had a nice give-and-go with Saric for his only 2 point attempt, and outside of that, it was Bogdanovic and Saric who would make one pass or less and then throw up a contested shot every time down the court. It was a bit horrifying to watch from a pure basketball perspective.

In the end, if you just look at the box score it would appear Bender continues to struggle and had very little impact on the first game of the 2017 FIBA tournament. However, the reality is the Dragan was finally unleashed in the 4th quarter and shined in more areas than one!

 

[Mainstreet]

@AsUdUdE

Thanks for the feedback.

I think the the primary thing Bender needs to be successful is experience and someone to pass him the ball.

 

[Hoop Head]

Read elsewhere about his defense. Knowing he can switch onto guards is interesting, we'll see if he can do that in the NBA. Strong defense will help him get more minutes, which he needs, so hopefully he keeps it up and is able to do the same for the Suns. Having a 7 footer who can guard SG, SF, PF, and C would be huge for us. Having depth at both forward spots will be something we've been lacking since the 2013-14 team with Frye and Markieff.

 

[Finito]

His defense is way ahead of his offense. He's only 19. Im gonna give him this season and next to see what we got.

But by all accounts this kid is a hard worker and has that not afraid of anything attitude I'll think he'll be fine

 

[Magnus]

I've watched all 3 Croatia games so far. Bender has a lot of potential, but don't expect much from him this season. He gives solid mintues to the team, but his presence is not big, especially on offense. This is partly because he doesn't make opportunities for himself, and partly because most possesions go through Bogdanovic/Saric. It will take a couple of years for him to develop.

After 15 mins vs Hungary (1/2 FG, 1 reb, 1 TO, +/- +7) , he got 12 mins vs Romania (1/2 FG, 1TO, +/- -5) and 8 mins vs Montenegro. (2/4 FG, 0/2 FT, 1 reb, 2TO, 2 blocked shots +/- -5)

 

[Ronin]

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[overseascardfan]

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This is the guy everyone has PHX taking next year. Ricky Rubio with a jump shot is what they are saying. Leery about Euro guards.

 

[Hoop Head]

Next year's draft looks really good, I think we'll be able to add the final piece to our future big 3 with Booker and Jackson. I can see why the Suns would be interested in Doncic but considering how slow Bender is coming along I'm not sold on adding another euro player to develop. We have Booker, Jackson, Chriss, and Bender as a core of young talent to build around and adding a guard just to round that out would be a mistake, especially since Doncic is supposed to be a SG who is capable of playing some PG and not a true PG.

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[fatosber]

Just watched the final, Doncic is the real deal. Can score at will, rebounds well, and has great court vision. Great shooter and is certain to improve as he is only 18 I believe.
Would love if he falls to the Suns

 

[overseascardfan]

Anyone know or seen if Doncic can defend? Booker is subpar so if we land Doncic and he can't defend we would have to have a good defensive front court.

 

[SirStefan32]

Anyone know or seen if Doncic can defend? Booker is subpar so if we land Doncic and he can't defend we would have to have a good defensive front court.

I am not nearly as close to European basketball as I used to be, but I still have some contact over there, and the consensus is that he can't defend. It's kind of like Nash- he knows where he needs to be and what he needs to do, but just can't get there or do whatever he needs to do in time. He is about half a step too slow in Europe which will make him a step slow in the NBA.

I've also had several people mention that his playmaking is underrated. He is compared to Dejan Bodiroga, which probably means nothing to most people here, but Bodiroga was basically a European Magic Johnson. My understanding is that Doncic is a bit more athletic, which isn't really impressive if you are familiar with Bodiroga. I've heard some Tony Kukoc comparisons as well, though most people compare him to Bodiroga, which, if true is impressive. It means he won't be able to defend, but will be able to score at will and make a lot of plays for other players. Overall, a pretty poor fit with Booker.

Now, I have not seen this kid play, nor have I reviewed any scouting reports yet, so I am relying on what some European fans have told me. Could be spot on, could be wrong, but that's what I am hearing. They nailed their impressions of Jokic, Nurkic, Zubac. Their assessment of Zizic and Bender is incomplete, in my opinion, but those are all big men, so not sure if that gives them any credibility on assessing point-forwards. In all fairness, they said Dragic was NOT an NBA player, so they've been wrong too.

 

[95pro]

But Bender is better than Chriss

Can't produce in euro ball either...

 

[leclerc]

Yes, let's give up on the nineteen year old kid. Enough is enough! You're out Bender!

 

[SirStefan32]

OK, so I finally sat through three games I could get my hand on, and this Doncic kid is insanely good offensively. It's like a weird combination of Dragic, Booker, and Ray Allen all in one player. I have never seen an 18 year old play like this kid plays. He is a god-awful defender, but if you have a chance to draft this kid, you have to take him.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

OK, so I finally sat through three games I could get my hand on, and this Doncic kid is insanely good offensively. It's like a weird combination of Dragic, Booker, and Ray Allen all in one player. I have never seen an 18 year old play like this kid plays. He is a god-awful defender, but if you have a chance to draft this kid, you have to take him.

This type of review makes me want to tank even more.

Doncic
Ayton
Bagley
Porter
Bamba