Phoenix Suns: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 preseason opener

3. Dragan Bender needs to step it up

Again, no one should read into one preseason game for both the good and the bad ends of the spectrum. Dragan Bender is still only 20 years old, with only 125 NBA games to his name. He still has time to get better.

However, Monday’s game was an absolute nightmare for the former fourth overall pick. Aside from tallying a mere two points, two rebounds and two assists, Bender was also 0-for-5 from the field, 0-for-3 from long range and a disastrous -17 in his 14 minutes that were as painful as his plus/minus indicates.

On one sequence, the Croatian bricked a 3 so bad it sailed past the rim altogether and careened off the backboard on the way down, igniting a Kings fast break. Despite being out by the 3-point line, Bender was beat down the court by Harry Giles, who threw down the highlight reel dunk.

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1046964738041794560

A few plays later, Bender knuckle-balled another triple that wasn’t even close to grazing the rim.

"“He’s got to step on the stage and whatever it requires — be more upset, be more focused, he has to play the game,” Kokoskov said. “We can’t play the game for him.”"

The Suns’ new head coach didn’t seem too concerned about the missed shots, calling him a good shooter who’s capable of putting the ball on the ground and making plays for others. In Kokoskov’s mind, the biggest challenge is making the defensive end of the floor his basketball identity.

"“I think his versatility can work against him that [he can do] everything a little bit, but nothing really [well],” he said. “This is also a league of extremes, you have to be extremely good in something. “The defense has got to be better as a defensive player. If he’s guarding 4s, we know it’s a small league, so he’s got to contain the ball. If he’s a 5, he’s gotta rebound and fight with those guys and bring more physicality. We’re going to support him as we always did, and he has to play.”"