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After watching Jonathan Bender muddle through the beginning of team practice,it appeared as if his impact on this team would be a long shot. Yet, as practice wore on, there were signs that the recent Knick 
addition can help the team, but he’s a long way from that as Coach Mike D’Antoni admitted:
“…I wouldn’t mind, not knowing how the game is going to go, to get him some time as soon as I can in maybe a non-stressful time.”
Meaning “garbage time” initially.
But based on the team’s shift to a smaller rotation and the seemingly immediate success created because of it, and the fact that he’s been NBA unemployed for so long, Bender is definitely outside of the rotation and will not play in any close game situations right off the bat.
I had the chance to watch Bender after practice and I was impressed with his shooting touch and form. He’s obviously less athletic now, but there’s little reason to believe that, if healthy, he can’t translate into a crafty NBA veteran. During practice, as mentioned, he struggled with spacing and with getting past defenders, but he did get better as the run went on culminating in a nice jump hook in the lane.
“…Today was better than yesterday for me,” he told reporters. “So as things go on I think I’ll get more adapted.”
Hey TD, is this guy better than Darko? and who do you see him as the likely insurance repalcement for if traded?
Not like Darko at all, he’s more like a 7′ wing. But he could have more of an offensive impact than Darko (that is saying very little) but I remember him being sub-par on defense
This move came right out of the blue. I’m not sure what to make of it. It’s a minor move, but one would think a passing guard would be the best use of that last roster spot, not an oversized wing . But I suppose it can’t hurt.
If I remember correctly, Bender was known as a workhorse in Pacers practices back in the day. Even if he never gets off the pine, he still brings something to the table. Hopefully he has locker room appeal ala Matt Harpring.
Best case scenario; he gets 10-15mins and shows himself to be valuable trade filler or makes Chandler slightly more expendable. Worst case scenario; Donnie gives his old pal an NBA paycheck to be a practice body.
Something tells me that his signing has something to do with 1 year rentals being available for trades starting tomorrow.
I don’t know why Bender might play garbage minutes, it’s not like we can showcase him. Besides, shouldn’t those be Hill’s minutes?
Probably reading too much into it, but i’m starting to wonder if D’antoni has already soured on Hill.
Walsh must owe this guy something fierce,youre telling me we couldnt find anyone floating around out there with more of an impact than john bender? this is fishy
Walsh didn’t get Bender to trade him. It doesn’t work like that.
Picking up Bender is a sure sign of a trade involving Curry or Hill.
Nobody’s trading hill. Rookies can’t be traded, anyway, but it’s crazy people are starting to say “D’Antoni has soured on Hill” or recommending we trade him. You haven’t even given him a chance, at all. Clearly Coach thinks he can win with the short rotation of veterans and Hill is probably just to sloppy and out of sync to contribute to that yet, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to keep improving. It’s rediculous that we draft a raw big man who is known to not quite be NBA ready, and 20 games into the season people are saying the coach gave up on him or we are going to trade him.
By people, do you mean person? Or is this something you’ve heard elsewhere?
Not saying your spitting this (just to preface my sentiments) but I’m not understanding any of this hate towards Hill or any of our young players for that matter. Maybe its just this site and a few others I check that have mad haters but f*ck gimme a break. These kids are playing their tails off and I’ve seen some spectacular flashes from Douglass and Hill. Not to mention that all you Gallo haters should to proceed to place foot in mouth cuz he’s clearly the biggest attraction for LeBron or any other player that can benefit from having a lights out shooter to defer to when getting doubled.
IMO Hill looks like he could be as good or better at all the things that Bosh does well, almost making it foolish to consider signing the aforementioned come 2010.
On that note for all you haters that I referenced plz respond, but recognize that in doing so you’ll be coming to recognize that you are a hater. LMAO (but in all seriousness lets get some opinions).
By people, i mean the people in this forum who regularly call hill a bust, say that the coach has given up on him, or suggest trade scenarios including him.
It’s foolish to give up on a raw big man who was drafted for his long term potential, 20 games into a season. I’m pretty sure i 100% agree with everything you said and vise-versa, unless i mis iinterpreted what you said (or vise versa)
WHen i said it was ridiculous that people think that, i wasn’t saying that i agree with them and it is ridiculous, i am saying it is ridiculous that people are saying that; i don’t agree with them at all.
when did JORDAN HILL ever do anything spectacular?I dont hate him or im not even suggesting a trade.I’m just asking.Spectacular?you have got to be overstating something.
A couple of months ago when, Bender’s name was brought up on these blogs, it mentioned he was trying to make a comeback and I mentioned then dont be surprised if DW gives him a shot. Its kinda like Frank I said the New York Pacers ala Layden tried to make the New York Jazz lol.
I hope he pans out, he is obviously not in true basketball shape but if he could show a simblance of what they said he was before getting hurt, it could help. Plus he is under 29.
I dont remember him as far as playing defense was he a shot blocker is he a taller version of Tyrus Thomas?
I think he can fill role better than Tyrus Thomas and be our best shot blocker if he gets his legs right.
Picking up Bender is a sign that Walsh is pretty confident in pulling the trigger on a trade that is materializing.
good article from July on Bender’s comeback attempt … even then it seems Donnie was likely to take a chance on him.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4359580
Very interesting, maybe he could be a motivational tool for Curry.
yeah he will motivate him… Bender will be dangling the ding dongs over his head to get him to move his ass
if your trade hopes come down to Jonathan Bender,how big of a trade can it be?The idea that you had to sign Bender to makea trade is preposterous!
you dont even know if he can play,let alone hold up(health wise)for the rest of the season
this moves doesnt say anything about any trades.
All it says is that a player walsh likes and respects, that if in form plays very well for our system, was given a shot.
I doubt he ever plays in a game, but thats not important.
Its a good thing for the rookies and young vets to see. A guy that has had some hard luck, has made the most out of his life, and would give anything for another chance.
Plus, Seems like he practices hard (not a bad thing to have a 7footer for the guys to practice against) and is generally good guy.
Seems like a no brainer move. Def help the karma of this team a little bit.
best case: we get a under 30 7 footer into the rotation.
worst case: we get a 7 footer practice squad, team character guy who never plays.
most likely case: we got a 7 footer who may get some junk time near the end of the season. Ends his comeback and gets to retire knowing that he gave it a real shot.
Best case Bender’s knee troubles are gone and once he gets basketball NBA legs, like Curry needs this could be a big plus.
I wish we could find point guards like we finder PF/Cs. I was watching Livingston last night, he too his coming off a devasting injury but I like his height for a PG. I cant help but to think that Gerald Green would have been a great pickup.
I think we need to pay attention to how we use ther word “great”. How on earth would Gerald Green be a “Great” pickup? Ask the Celtics, Timberwolves, Rockets and Mavs if he was a great pickup.
I think we should take a look at farmar. He is a good, young, athletic true point guard who gets all the praise in the world from the laker’s management, but there is just no place for a PG like in the triangle. He likes to penetrate and run the pick and roll, and that doesn’t really happen on the lakers. I think he could start on half the teams in the nba, and he is still young, and if he is given a large roll as the starting PG he might thrive beyond expectations.
He will be a RFA next summer and had for CHEAP.
signing farmar is like signing duhon all over again only difference is age..
nothing specially bout farmar but back up minutes..
What??…Farmar is quicker, more athletic and agressive than Duhon. Farmar likes to push it and can actually play that game. The only time Duhon pushes it is with a drink in his hand at the club while the DJ spins Salt n Pepa. Not the same at all.
bender will play 2morow watch an see.
something is telling me he is going to play even if it’s 1minute..
berman on bender and his practice with the team
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicksblog/bender_impresses_in_practice_could_ZlLw4lMNH3z0Lzhv60kAVO
bender might be the best player on the knicks rite now..
lmao..he could be..lol.