| 29 July 2009
It’s been three years since Jonathan Bender stepped onto the NBA hardwood.
That absence could be over in the coming months.
Not sure what many of you have read about the former Indiana Pacers power forward who was waived by the Pacers in June, 2006 after knee injuries ended his career. The 28-year old, who is listed between 6’11 and 7-feet, averaged 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in seven seasons – along with 34 playoff games played - is attempting a comeback according to Anna K. Clemmons of ESPN The Magazine.
Over the next month, Bender will be back on the floor and is hopeful to get an invite to an NBA camp. That will depend on how his personal workouts pan out and the strength of his knee(s).
Jonathan is determined. You have to give him that. Honestly though, there is actually little risk in a front office bringing him into camp and giving him a look at this point.
Take Portland for example. They have two roster spots to fill which will likely go to a couple postplayers in training camp. Kevin Pritchard maintains he’ll wait to see who clears waivers or falls off a roster as we inch closer to September and October, but what about a guy who isn’t even on an NBA roster?
Would the Blazers be inclined to extend an invite? Again, no guarantees.
I’m talking about a simple invite.
Just for conversations sake, Bender was once represented by Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group. Tellem has a deep running relationship with Portland based on his clients: Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster, Joel Freeland. The list grows from there: Sergio Rodriguez, Ike Diogu, Josh McRoberts, and even dating back to Jamaal Magloire.
You can add Sean May – who worked out for the Blazers a couple weeks back in Las Vegas before signing with Sacramento – to that list.
No one saw that May workout coming. Bender could follow the lead.
Knowing how this league runs, it’s not uncommon for agents to broker deals based on their previous and current standing with a team, particulary one the size of Tellem's talent pool in Portland. Happens all the time.
There’s no word from Bender’s camp yet who will represent him in his comeback tour. Wasserman Media Group was unavailable for comment to say if Tellem would take Bender on again as a client.
That’s all part of the process of getting back out on the floor for Jonathan Bender.
pic via: associated press
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