Dragan Bender
Dragan Bender has been fighting hard recently to tab a spot on this Golden State Warriors team. The 2016 fourth-overall draft pick consistently came up short for the Phoenix Suns as he only averaged 5.3 points per game.
In his most recent game though, Bender stepped up to the plate and tabbed 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists for the Warriors. Though the Warriors lost to the Clippers, Bender dropped his best game of the season just days after re-signing a ten-day contract with the Warriors.
While some say Bender’s game against the Clippers was just an outlier performance, some are hopeful that this could be the new and improved Bender.
Prior to this week’s season-high game of 23 points, the Croatian set a previous season-high for himself just a few weeks ago against the Suns.
Coming off an eight-game losing streak, Bender scored thirteen points and nine rebounds. As Bender continues to set personal bests and break them, the Warriors become more intrigued with keeping the 22-year-old around.
Bender has expressed great thankfulness for this opportunity to prove himself to the Warriors, even if it is just a temporary thing for now, “I take it day-by-day. I think there’s always options, but with this team, take it day-by-day and see what happens.”
Obviously, Bender’s strategy has been working for him, and if he keeps taking it “day-by-day” and game-by-game, he may find himself a permanent asset to the Warriors.