Phoenix Suns: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season
4. Dragan Bender replaces (or joins) Marquese Chriss as a starter
Marquese Chriss was the Suns’ starting power forward by name last year, but he only averaged 21.3 minutes per game. After seeing him show up to NBA Summer League several pounds heavier (and not in a good way), and watching Dragan Bender excel on both ends of the court, it’s only a matter of time before that starting job at the 4 is an open discussion again.
As of right now, Chriss will probably get the nod as long as his ankle injury has healed as expected. Perhaps it stays that way for the entire 2017-18 campaign. But Bender’s two-way potential has shown in more flashes, even if Chriss’ off-the-charts athleticism is what leaps off the page.
For those paying close attention, however, Bender was the superior player in Las Vegas this summer, and quite frankly, it wasn’t close.
No coincidence Bender played his best in the last two games. Needs that consistent playing time and he will be more than fine.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) July 14, 2017
For the Suns to grow as a team, someone will have to join Josh Jackson in stepping up on the defensive end. Chriss has the speed and jumping ability to be a weak-side shot-blocker, but his pick-and-roll defense and lack of awareness are atrocious (and understandably so, since he’s only 20).
Chriss shot the ball well from 3-point range after the All-Star break, but Bender has similar upside as a stretch-big in addition to the playmaking, perimeter defense and rim protection he should bring to the table as he grows more confident and gains more experience.
At Summer League, that confidence was on full display. Like Chriss, he wasn’t particularly efficient, but he also wasn’t afraid to let it fly. As he gets stronger, he could be the multi-positional defender and maybe even the versatile franchise center Phoenix needs for the long haul.
Perhaps the Suns trade Tyson Chandler or are unable to bring back Alex Len, leaving some additional minutes available at the 5. More than likely though, one of Len/Chandler will be starting, so it’d actually be disappointing if Bender is unable to show his progress as a No. 4 overall pick by eventually overtaking Chriss for the starting power forward job.