Game Day: Suns (11-46) @ Kings (29-26), Sun 2/10/19

[Split T]

We need Cap to break out the +/- numbers of Ayton and Bender playing together in the past week or so, along with Ayton's raw numbers in that time.

Bender and Ayton were on the court together for the first 8 minutes of the warriors game where we built a 14 point lead. They were also on the court for the first 7 minutes of the 2nd half when we erased a 7 point deficit. So the Bender/Ayton combo was +21 in that game. They were a -1 in only a few minutes against the kings. They played 12 minutes together against Utah and were a -2.

[Superbone]

If Bender could hit 2 threes a game it'd make a world of difference IMO.

I think he's made 1 total since he started getting playing time. At least, that's all I can remember.

[Split T]

If Bender could hit 2 threes a game it'd make a world of difference IMO.

I think he's made 1 total since he started getting playing time. At least, that's all I can remember.

He’s made 7 all season. 5 since he started getting rotation minutes. 3 came in 1 game against Portland.

[Superbone]

If Bender could hit 2 threes a game it'd make a world of difference IMO.

I think he's made 1 total since he started getting playing time. At least, that's all I can remember.

He’s made 7 all season. 5 since he started getting rotation minutes. 3 came in 1 game against Portland.

Wahoo!

[gosuns]

I don’t care if Bender hits 3s. We need to fix the paint.

[Nodack]

15.9%

[Indy]

We need Cap to break out the +/- numbers of Ayton and Bender playing together in the past week or so, along with Ayton's raw numbers in that time.

Bender and Ayton were on the court together for the first 8 minutes of the warriors game where we built a 14 point lead. They were also on the court for the first 7 minutes of the 2nd half when we erased a 7 point deficit. So the Bender/Ayton combo was +21 in that game. They were a -1 in only a few minutes against the kings. They played 12 minutes together against Utah and were a -2.

I realize it is a small sample size, but of our top 20 most used 5-man lineups, the Ayton-Bender front court has the highest +/- of any.

View Original Table
Generated 2/12/2019.

[Split T]

With warren out and Bender in the rotation, I’m fine with Bender starting. In fact that’s probably ideal as I imagine it’d be easier to get away with playing a 3 at the 4 against bench units. When warren comes back, I just don’t think Bender is good enough to warrant taking minutes away from any of our wings.

[In2ition]

individually, of course the wings are each better than Bender. Bender seems to be just a better fit in the lineup next to Ayton, when they are consistently in need of more size, rebounding, passing into Ayton and inside defense covering his back. There is a reason that the +/- is just better when they are playing together and the point is to win the games(at least I think that's the point, but decisions made this year tell me that the organization is sabotaging the season).

[gosuns]

It is about winning games and players knowing their roles. Bender defends well and gives you size on defense. On offense he passes well and doesn’t hurt you by taking bad shots. Know your limitations. A lot of our players don’t know theirs and hurt us by taking dumb shots or turning the ball over. I’m actually watching all our games and not just throwing stats out there out of context... If we wanted to win, playing Bender would stop our biggest weakness on defense, which is that our wings just are horrible at defending the basket and let our bigger opponents throw them around on the boards. I think our coaches know that, but for some reason the plan is to play 3 or 4 wings together. Wings historically don’t have brains.

[Split T]

It’s also very important to know that that 5 man unit with Bender and Ayton that leads us in plus minus has only played 22 minutes. They’ve done really well, but it’s a real small sample size.

[gosuns]

It’s also very important to know that that 5 man unit with Bender and Ayton that leads us in plus minus has only played 22 minutes. They’ve done really well, but it’s a real small sample size.

That shows how little of a chance Bender has gotten to prove that he can help. He will have to prove it if he get’s it and that will be his last chance and rightfully so. I agree with the Bender critics in that regard. But i would like to see if we got something here. Also could give us an indication what kind of player we need to pair Ayton with if we still decide not to keep Bender or he decides he doesn’t want to stay.

[Indy]

It’s also very important to know that that 5 man unit with Bender and Ayton that leads us in plus minus has only played 22 minutes. They’ve done really well, but it’s a real small sample size.

That is why I said "I realize it is a small sample size" to start my post.

But keep in mind it is still in the top 20 of our most used 5-man units all season long. It blows me away that we don't even have 10 units that have played together more than 30 minutes all season long.

[Nodack]

I am ok with Bender starting for all the reasons stated. Defense, rebounding and passing improves. If he avoids shooting threes he would be a solid. They will leave him open until he proves he can shoot better than 16%. I just hope he doesn’t take the bait until he gets his mojo back.