Phx-Suns.Net

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:20 pm

Does race play a role in why people were so quick to give up on Chriss but refuse to give up on Bender? Because he is a gentle, soft-spoken white guy?

I can't speak for anyone else. But in my case, there were several reasons I have been more patient with Bender than Chriss. Bender seems to have much better defensive and rebounding instincts than Chriss, according to the eye test. Bender has much longer arms, which help him bother shots, and he just hustles much more and stays much more active on D than Chriss ever did. Also, Chris had a bad attitude. Bender is too passive, but I'd rather try to fix a passive player who plays within himself than a guy who is too much of a hothead and won't listen. Lastly Bender has a much better 3-point shot than Chriss. His form and fundamentals on his shot just seem so much better.

Ultimately I suspect you could show me stats that contradict some of the above, but when I have watched both of the young bigs play, I saw more raw material from Bender that I thought was worth cultivating. It felt like Bender just needed time to get comfortable and more confident, and that once he grew into the game and into his body, he would be a really valuable role player for us. I still think he can do that, but his summer league and preseason have been dreadful.

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:20 pm

Does race play a role in why people were so quick to give up on Chriss but refuse to give up on Bender? Because he is a gentle, soft-spoken white guy?

Asking that question makes me question if you have actually been watching the games the last few years.

Both of them suck. One of them couldn't be bothered to come into camp in shape. One of them thought summer league was below them and got destroyed and pouted. One of them racked up the techs. One of them took cheap shots.

It was about attitude not the color of their skin.

EDC wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 04, 2018 1:16 am

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:20 pm

Does race play a role in why people were so quick to give up on Chriss but refuse to give up on Bender? Because he is a gentle, soft-spoken white guy?

Asking that question makes me question if you have actually been watching the games the last few years.

Both of them suck. One of them couldn't be bothered to come into camp in shape. One of them thought summer league was below them and got destroyed and pouted. One of them racked up the techs. One of them took cheap shots.

It was about attitude not the color of their skin.

They’re on polar opposite ends of the spectrum, neither is teachable. Bender is a sissy without guts, Chriss is an entitled easily triggered brat. Chriss rates better in every advanced defensive statistic and is a better rebounder. The only thing Bender did better was 3P% and if you watched the games he shot better than it actually appeared only because he had a couple hot streaks over a mostly miserable season. So then begs the question, what’s the difference?

I was never on board with drafting Chriss in the first place because I watched him play enough at Washington to know that wouldn't ever become a good NBA player. I saw him get out played by guys in the Pac-12 who have never even sniffed the NBA.

I held out hope after he seemed to turn a corner at the end of his rookie year, but the weight gain and bullshit summer league stuff completely turned me off from him for good.

Article about the Suns' PG situation:

https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/04/sky-i ... int-guard/

EDC wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 04, 2018 1:16 am

specialsauce wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:20 pm

Does race play a role in why people were so quick to give up on Chriss but refuse to give up on Bender? Because he is a gentle, soft-spoken white guy?

Asking that question makes me question if you have actually been watching the games the last few years.

Both of them suck. One of them couldn't be bothered to come into camp in shape. One of them thought summer league was below them and got destroyed and pouted. One of them racked up the techs. One of them took cheap shots.

It was about attitude not the color of their skin.

Also about the skills and the kinds of players they can become.

Bender, if he ever puts it together, will be the ultimate role player. On offense, he’ll spread the floor, keep moving, play the system, and when the ball comes his way take the 3 or make the right pass as the situation dictates.

Chriss, on the other hand, if you want to develop him, you have to feed him, and that comes at least a little at the expense of his teammates.

https://twitter.com/esidery/status/1047720408890273792

Speaking of which, I'd be surprised if Ayton doesn't have a 20/20 game this season.

Valley of the Suns says, "It's Time for the Suns to Give Up on Dragan Bender."

https://valleyofthesuns.com/2018/10/04/ ... on-bender/

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 04, 2018 10:58 am

Valley of the Suns says, "It's Time for the Suns to Give Up on Dragan Bender."

https://valleyofthesuns.com/2018/10/04/ ... on-bender/

what a hot take

Anyone left on Bender Island?

I'm not gonna say he can't be a good player, but I don't have any interest in developing him anymore

He needs helf.

Superbone wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 04, 2018 10:53 am

Speaking of which, I'd be surprised if Ayton doesn't have a 20/20 game this season.

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets one this preseason yet. It just seems to come so easy for him.

Cap wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 04, 2018 12:34 pm

He needs helf.

When you need helf, you should covfefe

Cap wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:43 am

Anyone left on Bender Island?

The water is rising very quickly! I think even Bender's feet are wet.

Indy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:41 am

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 04, 2018 10:58 am

Valley of the Suns says, "It's Time for the Suns to Give Up on Dragan Bender."

https://valleyofthesuns.com/2018/10/04/ ... on-bender/

what a hot take

He must have seen my post.

Somebody else has been reading our board:
https://twitter.com/GeraldBourguet/status/1047708801816616965

Superbone wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 04, 2018 1:01 pm

Somebody else has been reading our board:
https://twitter.com/GeraldBourguet/status/1047708801816616965

Or any other Suns forum, really.

Here's a fun question. If we don't pick the option, does another team sign him, or does he go overseas?

overseas