Nice Jonathan Bender Update

Bucky O'Hare · Post #1 » by **Bucky O'Hare** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:22 pm

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-3 ... -East.html

TrueHoop wrote:Jonathan Bender, from nearby Picayune, is doing well even after his NBA career was cut short. He is making a full-time job out of Hurricane Katrina recovery in this area. Christmas present programs, helping a school refurbish their moldy library, reading stories to kids, running free basketball camps ... he's putting his time and his treasure to work for this region. Bender has been buying damaged properties, hiring contractors to fix them up, and then renting them out. It's amazing how uplifting it is to see houses getting fixed up on blocks where everything is abandoned. He invited us on a trip to see some of his nearby projects, but time was tight. We might get to see it anyway, however -- Bender recently hired a production company to make a pilot of a reality show about such things called Brand New Orleans.

TSC25 · Post #2 » by **TSC25** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:53 pm

Always nice to see players take time out and help those in need.

PacerGuy · Post #3 » by **PacerGuy** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:24 am

Always loved JB!!!

bballpacen · Post #4 » by **bballpacen** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:36 am

My favorite player of all time!! He is a great person, and I am glad to see that he is giving alot back to the community.

sarah42 · Post #5 » by **sarah42** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:52 am

i think he and mopete of the hornets are cousins. hopefully mo knows whats up and helps his cousin out during his free time and recruits some of his rich teammates as well!

bender seems like a great guy who's had bad luck in his career, but helping out others who have had bad luck as well. good for him!

Post #6 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:03 am

Glad to hear Jonathan is doing better. The last I knew his financial state was very bad and he was having to sale off many of his possessions.

Boneman2 · Post #7 » by **Boneman2** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:42 pm

^^^ JB made over 50 mill with the Pacers. How did he spend it so fast?

... atleast he is investing the rest in real estate.

Post #8 » by **APerna** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:42 pm

Dude has impeccable style as well...

joew8302 · Post #9 » by **joew8302** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:18 am

Yikes, not good if he spent all his money already. It is definetly good to see him making positive contributions in society after his bball career. I know a lot of people want to rip Indiana for the pick, but given the same situation I would do it again. He had superstar potential but could never stay healthy.

Post #10 » by **Grang33r** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:23 am

Man, just talking about Bender brings back sad memories. We a crazy good team with Harrington and Bender under the wings. Noone could have messed up our situation. Noone. But somehow we did. lol Sad times.

ajizzle · Post #11 » by **ajizzle** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:18 am

I was actually thinking about Bendy last night during the dunk contest. I think Barkley asked if there had ever been another player as tall as Dwight Howard who could jump like that? Bender immediately jumped into my head.

I think JB actually may be the only person ever to pull off a 2-handed dunk from behind the FT line... Back then, tall dunkers were mocked, but now that Amare and Dwight are in the contest, they're all of a sudden the flavor of the week. We miss you, JB!

Post #12 » by **count55** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:00 am

Bender certainly could jump...and was a pretty good shooter...but he never showed any evidence that he actually knew how to play basketball.

Post #13 » by **APerna** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:55 pm

Count his hit it on the head. Jonathan was/is a tremendous athlete, probably one of the best on the planet, but he wasn't as skilled in terms of the game.

That's why he could burst out for 20 here and there (like Christmas against Orlando early in his career) and then stink it up for a few weeks.