“Dear Diary,
I struggle to believe it, but the young Croatian, Bender, has played passibly well in three consecutive games. In discussions with my predecessors, all are in agreement that this is the longest streak of decent play that he has had in his tragic, unsuccessful career to this point. There is a shared astonishment among us that he has done this thing, for all were witness to his on-court failures for the better part of two and a half seasons. Those failures were real and visible, yet, somehow, Bender has moved past them.
It is now clear to me that even when my roster is at full health, Bender will have to be given regular rotation minutes in some fashion. While Holmes and Ayton are surely better players even in light of Bender’s emergence, his good play deserves recognition. That is a phrase I never thought would be uttered in reference to the big bumbling softie, but there it is.
The Suns did not pick up their option on his contract, so his future here is uncertain. The organization is quick to cut ties with players who have not lived up to expectations. In that sense, it makes sense to pile minutes upon Ayton’s plate, as he is the one who is the cornerstone of the franchise. However, I want my locker room to be a happy place, and I want future free agents to sign here. That means being a good coach, a “player’s coach” as they call them here in America (there is no such thing in Europe), and giving minutes to the players who have earned them.
I will be honest with you, Diary. I am still in shock about all this. It feels like a dream. If I awake tomorrow morning to find myself in my old home in Utah, where I am still an assistant for the Jazz, I will not be surprised. Reality is often a very strange place, but no strange as to allow Bender to have three good games sequentially.
Good night, Diary.
-Igor”