GameDay Thread: Suns @ Rockets 12/26/16

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Bender is starting to show flashes. He is playing some defense, rebounding and getting in position to take the good shot. He has away to go but I like he is getting playing time.

Bender is looking good tonight...about the only bright spot in this game.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bender is looking good tonight...about the only bright spot in this game.

There are a few more but I'm looking towards the future. If Chriss and Bender continue to progress, Suns fans should have something to look forward too.

I don't understand Booker fouling out in the 3rd quarter and his last foul against Harden taking a 3 point shot was silly.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Bender just had a major advantage vs a smaller player in Gordon...and instead of using his size and backing him up...he tries to do a pump fake jump shot and turns the ball over. Still has a lot to learn I suppose.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bender just had a major advantage vs a smaller player in Gordon...and instead of using his size and backing him up...he tries to do a pump fake jump shot and turns the ball over. Still has a lot to learn I suppose.

No doubt Bender has away to go but I wish Knight would pass him the ball so he can get a double, double. Bender presently has 9 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yes, Bender with the double, double. He made a nice move inside. I believe this is his first double, double.

Bender with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks.

 

[hsandhu]

The key to bender will be how good a shooter he becomes. With his height, he can shoot over anyone.

Look at porzingis, he is so good now because he is a knockdown shooter. Bender is faster and generally just more fluid in his movements than porzingis, but inconsistent in his shooting. But he's also two years younger, so has plenty of time.

 

[Mainstreet]

The key to bender will be how good a shooter he becomes. With his height, he can shoot over anyone.

Look at porzingis, he is so good now because he is a knockdown shooter. Bender is faster and generally just more fluid in his movements than porzingis, but inconsistent in his shooting. But he's also two years younger, so has plenty of time.

If Bender can be anywhere as good as Porzingis in a couple of years, the Suns should be looking good if Chriss continues to develop as well.

 

[JustWinBaby]

What are the odds of Bender getting minutes the next game?

Probably good as we probably will get blown out by the Spurs.

I expect MDA would love to have him in Houston. He does a little bit of everything and the ball does not get stuck in his hands.

The great PJ Tucker - 0 Points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 TO's in 21 minutes as a starter.

 

[sunsfan88]

It's amazing what Bender can do when he gets minutes.

Watson please do everyone a favor and get this kid at least 20 mins a game and bench Tucker.

 

[Ronin]

Christopher Coffel ‏@Chris_Coffel 1h1 hour ago
19 year old Dragan Bender vs 22 year old Draymond Green.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[JustWinBaby]

I have no idea why we are surprised.

It was obvious when he was hired that he signed a clause in his contract to make sure that he played our highest paid players, Bledsoe and Knight as many minutes as possible to help justify their salary to Bob and also to make sure he kept Mr. Hustle (PJ Tucker) on the floor no matter how horrible a shooter he is or out of shape he was. After all PJ Tucker is the face of this franchise.

It would be nice to have some sort of mandatory rules to share the ball. It seems as though Bender does that automatically and I remember Booker sharing it prior to Watson becoming our coach. Maybe that is why Bender has not been seeing the floor. Now I see virtually everyone not sharing the ball, while going one on one all night long. When we do decide to share the ball we look pretty good. However we seem to quickly go back to jacking up a shot at the first opportunity.

Not pretty basketball to watch, on most nights.

 

[JCSunsfan]

OK. Watson isn't dishing out playing time according to paychecks. You can ruin young players by throwing them in too soon. They can get overconfident and then fall (see Booker) or they can have their confidence shattered. If they are young and their body is yet developing, injuries are a possibility as well.

I would not get over-hyped on Bender for putting up a double double in a game that was over in the first quarter. I have high hopes, but the development process will take some time.

I do think it will be time to trade Tyson and PJ soon. We can get value for them.

 

[leclerc]

We need to get rid of Knight because he's horrible. Swapping Chandler and Tucker (even Bledsoe) for a quality bench player or assets would be fantastic. Then we could turn loose Len and Warren and see if they're good enough or we need to replace them down the line.

I think Bender could be productive if he got 10-15 mpg *every game* versus bench players mostly.

 

[slinslin]

I think Bender could be productive if he got 10-15 mpg *every game* versus bench players mostly.

He is getting 10-15 mpg most nights and so far has been bad, that is why he has been getting DNPs occasionally.

 

[Mainstreet]

He is getting 10-15 mpg most nights and so far has been bad, that is why he has been getting DNPs occasionally.

The Suns have been bad so why not play him on a regular basis.

 

[sunsfan88]

The Suns have been bad so why not play him on a regular basis.

^this.

Slin, it's time open your eyes and realize that Bender isn't as bad as you think he is. Quite the contrary, he's one of the more intriguing players on this roster.