2017 NBA Draft Prospect Discussion

[carey]

https://twitter.com/AZSports/status/852209547762483200

[Split T]

Bridges could be a top 5 pick next year and a good friend is coming to Michigan st. Still a big risk when he's a sure fire lotto pick.

[In2ition]

Bridges could be a top 5 pick next year and a good friend is coming to Michigan st. Still a big risk when he's a sure fire lotto pick.

Jaren Jackson should be very nice for them, and they are in on his teammate Brian Bowen.

[Split T]

You think Bowen goes there if bridges stays? He might have a clearer path to playing time if he goes to Arizona. Alkins and Simmons have declared, trier is likely to declare.

[In2ition]

You think Bowen goes there if bridges stays? He might have a clearer path to playing time if he goes to Arizona. Alkins and Simmons have declared, trier is likely to declare.

You're right, he may think Arizona is his best choice at this point. I just put him in it because he is their top target right now and played with Jaren Jackson.

[Superbone]

https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/852211363816636416

He's got miles to go before he crosses that bridge.

[In2ition]

8/10

[Indy]

https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/852211363816636416

He's got miles to go before he crosses that bridge.

4.5/10

[Indy]

Ooh, you beat me to it by seconds

[Superbone]

Ha ha! I agree more with Indy's rating. I couldn't help myself.

[Indy]

Ha ha! I agree more with Indy's rating. I couldn't help myself.

These ratings are all relative. That is about as clever as I could be, so for me it would have been a 9. But you are capable of so much better, hence the 4.5.

[specialsauce]

I think in 2 years we'll be talking about how Bender just doesn't have "it."

He's just not that good at any 1 thing. And he has no swagger about him. I think his ceiling is Kirilenko.

[ShelC]

His ceiling is Kirilenko? Is that a bad thing? I'd take that.

[Cap]

I think his ceiling is Kirilenko.

I'd be very happy with a Kirilenko. It's not like we passed on a Duncan or Malone to get him.

[specialsauce]

His ceiling is Kirilenko? Is that a bad thing? I'd take that.

Yes. Maybe we have different expectations. People are here saying they have hope for Bender based off Giannis, who is on a different galaxy! His maximum potential is the best role player on your team. In other words, I wouldn't hesitate to trade him this offseason if it meant getting a star in return. I would be much more hesitant to deal Chriss.

[ShelC]

I think it's a little too early for all of that.

[TOO]

I dont see a reason to deal either of them, they are 19yo rookies FFS. I didn't expect either to do much early. People have unreasonable expectations it seems, most rookies are garbage early on, thats just the way it is, most don't live up to their draft selection. People acting like Bender who was hurt and inexplicably DNP-CD'd by Watson a bunch is a bust already need to take a step back.

[specialsauce]

You can tell right away the confidence and "it" factor of players. You could tell Booker had it from day one. Same with Chriss, even if his was to a fault.

Porzingis had it right away. Even Kawhi, though quiet, played with intensity and an aggression about him.

Bender doesn't. He's just not that caliber of a player. You can tell he's scared out there. It takes more than talent to be a star, and it's not something that's learned.

[TOO]

You could argue the 2 best rookies from THIS class were second rounders. Brogdon and Ulis have looked better than most.

[specialsauce]

I'm just saying easy with the Giannis and Bender comparisons. Giannis playing the way he is should not give you any delusions about Bender's future.

If we could somehow flip Bender in a package with Bledsoe and our draft pick for a young star (not named Jimmy Butler, please God, or Paul George), I would do it in a heart beat.