Bender vs. Chriss

Who will be the better player entering his fourth NBA season (summer 2019)?

  • Dragan Bender

    Votes: 22 34.4%
  • Marquese Chriss

    Votes: 30 46.9%
  • they'll both suck

    Votes: 12 18.8%

  • Total voters
    64

SirStefan32

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I think Criss has higher floor, but zero basketball IQ. Bender has exceptional basketball IQ, but his floor is exceptionally low.
Pessimist in me wants to say we have ourselves a Beasley and a Tskitishvilli, but I am going to be an optimist and say they will both be good, with a slight edge to Criss.
 

JCSunsfan

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I knew this would happen. These two will be compared for their entire careers. For Suns fans, it will be the Bledsoe vs. Dragic discussions all over again.
 

Chaplin

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I knew this would happen. These two will be compared for their entire careers. For Suns fans, it will be the Bledsoe vs. Dragic discussions all over again.
So? This sounds like trying to make up an excuse for not liking the draft.
 

Covert Rain

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I think this is marathon verses a sprint. I think the shorter term Bender might yield more impact. However, longer term, I think Bender ends up being a journeyman type player. Nothing wrong with that. Chriss on the other hand, assuming he learns, has a huge upside and could be something special.

Bottom line is, I don't think Bender ever becomes a star. Maybe Chriss doesn't either but his ceiling is higher and he is more likely to be.
 

KloD

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The draft is a semi-educated crap shoot. Either or both could be flops, but I love that we upped the odds getting both. If we get one that develops into a quality starter at the 4, and the other plays a roll off the bench, we can consider it a very successful draft. Hell, if just one develops into a quality starter I'd call it a win. We gave up nothing really to double our odds, great work McD!
 

devilalum

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I knew this would happen. These two will be compared for their entire careers. For Suns fans, it will be the Bledsoe vs. Dragic discussions all over again.

No way, WRONG, you don't need 2 starting point guards but having 2 quality big men will never be a problem.

sent from a fone
 

AzStevenCal

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I think Criss has higher floor, but zero basketball IQ. Bender has exceptional basketball IQ, but his floor is exceptionally low.
Pessimist in me wants to say we have ourselves a Beasley and a Tskitishvilli, but I am going to be an optimist and say they will both be good, with a slight edge to Criss.

I'm the opposite on the floor. I think Bender has a higher floor and Chriss has the higher up-side. IMO, barring injuries, Bender will still be playing pro ball in a decade, whether it's here or elsewhere. Chriss OTOH, will likely either be a star or out of basketball completely within 5 or 6 years.
 

sunsfan88

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I knew this would happen. These two will be compared for their entire careers. For Suns fans, it will be the Bledsoe vs. Dragic discussions all over again.
When two players who play the same position get drafted by the same with top 10 picks, you don't think they should be compared? Of course it will be, it would be the same with any players and any team's fanbase.
 

devilalum

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When two players who play the same position get drafted by the same with top 10 picks, you don't think they should be compared? Of course it will be, it would be the same with any players and any team's fanbase.
Sure they'll be compared but its not like drafting 2 point guards. It is very possible that these 2 may end up complimenting each other rather than competing for a position. In today's NBA there is always a place on the floor for versatile bigs.

Amare and Marion were both taken with the 9th pick but I don't remember people comparing them at all.
 

JCSunsfan

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When two players who play the same position get drafted by the same with top 10 picks, you don't think they should be compared? Of course it will be, it would be the same with any players and any team's fanbase.

I know you they will be compared. I am just not sure I want to see all the polarizing debate and argument. It usually ends up in one player being beloved and the other vilified. Let's remember that we can like both of them.
 

Mainstreet

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I voted for Bender being the better player entering his fourth season.

I think Dragan Bender has the most upside because there is more room for his body to develop with muscle and pounds. He already is quite skilled. As he learns, he should be able to play both the 4 and 5 positions. He could provide the Suns with the full package both on offense and defense.

Chriss might be the better offensive player. If he can play anywhere near as good as Amare I would be quite pleased.
 

AzStevenCal

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I reluctantly voted for the "both suck" option. Odds are against each of them especially if you want to call the race at 21 or 22. Now, by age 25, maybe they'll both be something special but 3 years might just be too soon. Too soon for Chriss because he has so much to learn and too soon for Bender because his body has so much developing to do.
 

chickenhead

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Well, they're not going to be compared the same way they would be if the Suns had drafted only one. If they hadn't traded to get Chriss, there would be a permanent Chriss thread here if he showed any promise.

With both of them on the roster, they'll compared just like every two teammates at the same position do – who starts, who gets more minutes, who plays in crunch time – but it'll jsut be more interesting because of the draft.
 

CardsSunsDbacks

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The beautiful thing about the drafting of both of these guys is that they were drafted with the intent that they could both play multiple positions and thus could coexist nicely on the court together. It would be a different story if they were both traditional PFs, but they aren't as both have potential to play anywhere from the 3-5 spots at any given time.
 

leclerc

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Yeah I'm toying with different lineups in my head. I'm sure a lot of Suns fans are. Len, Bender, Chriss, Booker, Bledsoe + Ulis and Warren. Lots of potential! As long as I'm dreaming why not add Archie as scoring wing off the bench?
 
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devilalum

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Watson threw inaccurate lobs to simulate the crappy lobs he'll be getting from Bledsoe.

from phone
 

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