http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/nba/02/04/bender.retires.ap/ Bender says he's done Knee woes end career of 25-year-old Pacers forward INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana Pacers forward Jonathan Bender is almost certain his career is over because of a series of knee injuries. "Due to a medical condition in my knees, I will not be able to continue playing basketball," Bender, 25, said Saturday in a statement released by the team. "The Pacers gave me the chance to play with, and against, the best players in the world." Though he does not expect to play again, Bender has not yet filed official retirement papers with the NBA. Toronto made Bender the fifth pick in the 1999 draft, then traded him to Indiana before the season started. He played seven seasons with the Pacers, but never in every game. His best season was in 2001-2002, when he averaged 7.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The 7-foot Bender also played guard at times. He made 87 3-pointers in his career. As a defender, he was an intimidating shot blocker. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said Bender is a hard worker who appreciated the chance to play in the NBA. "I'm sad for him, for his family," Carlisle said. "A situation like this couldn't happen to a more undeserving person. Jonathan really is a great kid. He wanted to play basketball in the worst way and he wanted to help this franchise in the worst way." When healthy, Bender presented mismatches and was a force on the boards. But he rarely was able to contribute. He played in 237 regular-season games with 27 starts, and was limited to nine games the past two seasons. "It'll be one of the questions when you look back in history. How good could this guy have been?" Carlisle said. "I'm not sure that there was any limit to his potential. It was just not to be." ----------------------------------------- This article was far too kind to Bender's career. "Intimidating shot blocker"? "Force on the boards"? "No limit to his potential"? He had 6-7 seasons in the league. MASSIVE bust. Take a look at the top 10 picks in the 1999 NBA Draft. Anyone stick out like a sore thumb? 1. Elton Brand 2. Steve Francis 3. Baron Davis 4. Lamar Odom 5. Jonathan Bender 6. Wally Szczerbiak 7. Richard Hamilton 8. Andre Miller 9. Shawn Marion 10. Jason Terry
I always felt weird about Bender, because he was the first player in the NBA who was actually younger than me to play. He made me feel old. Now that he's retired, imagine how old I feel NOW.
i always knew 1999 was a good draft but damn that's a solid top 10. maybe no future hall of famers but having 9 out of 10 become really good players is pretty nice.
Number 6. He's the only white dude out there. Seriously though, of all those ten, Marion is still with his team. atleast NBA money is guranteed.
That's why it never bothered me one bit when these guys didn't want to waste their time in college. He's set for life and if he's interested in an education he can use 1/1000th of his fortune to pay for it.
It's sad when injuries shorten someone's career especially when they are so young. I think Bender could have been a good NBA player if he hadn't been injured so often.
thats a great way to put it. but that doesnt count for all the people that declare and dont get drafted.
Well, it used to be that if you signed up with the Army at 18, and didn't get killed beforehand you could serve 20 years and retire at 38 with a pension and medical benefits. At least that's what the recruiters always touted. My dad mentioned it too. To which I'd respond, "So why didn't you take the offer, Dad?" Silence. (He burned his draft card in the hippie movement while living in the Haight-Ashbury) But yea... that's a nice age to retire. Hope he invested/saved wisely.
Too bad for Bender. Had had some talent. I think at his best he could have become similar to what Rashard Lewis is right now...a really tall 3pt shooter that can slash. But Bender was really soft and not much of a defender or rebounder. But at 7' he couuld get his shot off over anyone and was really mobile with rather quick feet.
He never actually played basketball, so, what's he retiring from, the trainer's table? Seriously though, you got to feel bad for the guy.
I like how the bottom line yesterday said "Bender says he won't play again". Uh, there's a word for that.
i cant help but smirk everytime i here his name,cuz of the movie "the breakfast club" ,judd nelson's name on there is jon bender, remember when he gets busted playing bball during saturday detention?
I agree with Clutch that they were entirely too generous in that article. I don't know if Jonathan Bender would have been a star in the NBA had he been healthy, but I do think he'd have been a solid starter. On the one hand, it's sad that he was never able to really see what he could accomplish in the NBA, on the other, I wish I was a 25 year old retired multi-millionaire. As to there being no hall of famers in that top ten, I'll be shocked if Elton Brand, Richard Hamilton and Shawn Marion don't make the hall of fame, but then again, they haven't even let Dominque Wilkens into the Hall of Fame yet. At the very least Rip Hamilton should be a lock. I'll be surprised if he doesn't collect at least one more ring before his career is over.
Wow, I didn't realize Bender was a #5 pick...for some reason I always though he was drafted in the late teens. That is a painful list for any Pacer fan...I imagine Wally or Marion would have really helped them get to that next level the last few years.
naw, Bender actually had some talent. He could of been a very good player in the league for many years. Maybe not an all star but definitely a solid starter. This really sucks for him man...
