ducks
02-04-2006, 08:13 PM
Pacers' Bender retires after knee injuries
By CLIFF BRUNT, Associated Press Writer
February 4, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana Pacers forward Jonathan Bender retired Saturday after he was unable to recover from a series of knee injuries.
"Due to a medical condition in my knees, I will not be able to continue playing basketball," the 25-year-old forward said in a statement through the team. "The Pacers gave me the chance to play with, and against, the best players in the world."
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."
By CLIFF BRUNT, Associated Press Writer
February 4, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana Pacers forward Jonathan Bender retired Saturday after he was unable to recover from a series of knee injuries.
"Due to a medical condition in my knees, I will not be able to continue playing basketball," the 25-year-old forward said in a statement through the team. "The Pacers gave me the chance to play with, and against, the best players in the world."
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."