Suns coach: Like Kevin Durant, Dragan Bender could become a big SF

Jun 25, 2016, 10:42 AM | Updated: Jun 26, 2016, 12:38 pm

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, congratulates Dragan Bender after Bender was selected fourth ov...

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, congratulates Dragan Bender after Bender was selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

LISTEN: Earl Watson - Suns Head Coach

Suns head coach Earl Watson is not saying Dragan Bender is going to be the next Kevin Durant.

It’s a good thing, too, because it would come off as a bit ridiculous to say the 18-year-old forward is destined to become a league scoring champion and MVP, and put his name in the conversation as one of the best players in the entire world.

What Watson is saying, however, is like Durant back in 2007 when he was the second-overall pick out of Texas by the Seattle SuperSonics, the 18-year-old Bender has a rare combination of size and skill, and if taught correctly, could be something special.

“He’s a blank canvas as well; he’s really skilled, he can play, he can move, he can shoot,” he told Off the Edge with B-Train on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday. “I think he’s still growing. I think he has the potential to play the 3 in the NBA.”

Bender is listed at 7-foot-1 and 225 pounds. Last season with Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv in the Euroleague, he averaged 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in just under nine minutes per game. However, while his statistics don’t jump off the page, few saw the Suns tabbing him at No. 4 overall as a reach.

No, most see Bender as a uniquely-talented player who, in time, could be valuable for the Suns.

As for what position he would play, Watson said he understands why some would question the idea of Bender playing small forward at his size.

“Like, he’s 7-foot-1, but so is Kevin Durant — he’s almost seven-feet tall,” Watson said, pointing to the 6-foot-9, 240-pound star. “And what makes Kevin Durant unique at the 3 position is that he can shoot over most defenders at his position.”

Watson added that they can pair the tall Durant with a big power forward and center, and combined with point guard Russell Westbrook being as dynamic as he is, the Thunder “just too much to overcome with athleticism.”

With Bender along with No. 8 pick Marquese Chriss, as well as Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Devin Booker, T.J. Warren and Alex Len, the Suns are confident they have put together a group with similar traits.

“But now we have a team, and we have a roster and a family, that can compete at the highest level of basketball in the Western Conference and in the NBA overall.”

Kris Dunn hugs a supporter after being selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Jamal Murray hugs a supporter after being selected seventh overall by the Denver Nuggets during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Buddy Hield reacts after being selected sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Jamal Murray answers questions during an interview after being selected seventh overall by the Denver Nuggets during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Jakob Poeltl answers questions during an interview after being selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Thon Maker walks off stage after being selected 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens waits to address the crowd at TD Garden, Thursday, June 23, 2016, at the Celtics NBA Draft Party in Boston. The Celtics selected Jaylen Brown, a forward from California, with the third pick in the NBA basketball draft. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) Thon Maker answers questions during an interview after being selected 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, poses with Taurean Prince after Prince was selected 12th overall by the Utah Jazz during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Taurean Prince reacts as he walks up on stage after being selected 12th overall by the Utah Jazz during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, congratulates Dragan Bender after Bender was selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Dragan Bender walks off the stage after being selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Jaylen Brown answers questions during an interview after being selected third overall by the Boston Celtics during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Dragan Bender walks up to the stage after being selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Brandon Ingram after the Los Angeles Lakers selected Ingram as the second pick overall during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Ben Simmons answers questions during an interview after being selected as the number one pick overall by the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, poses for a photo with Jaylen Brown after Brown was selected third overall by the Boston Celtics during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) LSU's Ben Simmons raises his hand as he walks off the stage after being selected as the top pick by the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) LSU's Ben Simmons poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the top pick by the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Prospective NBA draft picks pose for a group photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, center, before the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) 
              NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, center, poses for photos with prospective NBA draft picks Buddy Hield, left, Kris Dunn, right, Ben Simmons, third from left, and Brandon Ingram, second from right, before the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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Suns coach: Like Kevin Durant, Dragan Bender could become a big SF