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I have to disagree on a couple accounts.
Bender doesn't have Chandler size. Tyson is not monster by any means, but he's got a good 20lbs at least on Bender.
Bender can't play 4 positions. He can play 2.
There is no way he can play the point. Not good enough handles, and not quick enough to cover them.
No way he can play the 5, not near big, strong, or tough enough.
He can't really play the 4 either, for the same reasons he can't play the 5. He isn't bulky enough, or strong enough. He doesn't have the attitude to bang either. I can buy him playing some minutes as a 4 in small lineups, but so could Corey Maggette(Hey, Jumaine Jones did it, and he's not near as strong or tough as Maggette), and I don't consider him a guy who can play the 4.
Bender can play the 2 and 3, and thats about it. That's perfectly fine, you only need one position, but I don't buy the argument that he can play 4 spots.
I do agree that Bender may have the physical gifts that Brand, Miller, etc may have. But, so does Keon Clark. And he isn't anywhere near their class, even though he's far superior in terms of physical tools.
Like I said, I'm a fan of Bender, and he may someday be a star. I don't believe he'll ever be a superstar, or he would be showing more of it right now.
I think he'll be a future contributor to the Pacers, but I don't ever think he reaches even star status(where I think Miller/Brand are), let alone superstar status.
Bender may indeed emerge someday, but I think that's just too big a question mark to even mention.
I think O'Neal is the only potential stud on that team, and he isn't there yet IMO. He's still got some work to do. Right now, I think him and Brand are pretty equal. Not studs, but excellent players. The difference being that Jermaine still has more room to improve because of the physical gifts. I don't think the Pacers have anyone else who has that type of ability. And as I said before, I think Odom is the only one for the Clips. Each team needs those players to emerge for them to take the next step up. Otherwise, neither team takes that step up, cuz I don't think there is anyone else currently on their rosters with that type of ability. Just my opinion ...
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