<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Jonathan Bender's latest attempt at a breakout season could wind up being another breakdown. The Indiana Pacers forward, who has played just seven games, might have to sit out the rest of the season while rehabilitating the right knee he injured in September. Pacers officials aren't ready to declare Bender done for the season, but acknowledge he's not close to returning. Twenty-seven games remain in the regular season. Bender has gone on and off the injured list throughout the season, but has been on it since Feb. 4. All that's known for sure now is that he won't come back until he's fully healed. "We're going to forget about this coming-in and going-out stuff," team president Larry Bird said. "It's a distraction to the team." Bender is equally determined to bring closure to the series of leg injuries that have haunted him. "I want to resolve it," he said. "I want to get it over with. Forever."</div> Source
Man, I feel bad for this kid. I've been waiting for him to break year after year for the Pacers. I thought he would have a great opportunity this season, especially since the brawl suspended Artest and SJax. Bender is a talented player, but his injuries are just killing his chances to be a star player in the league. He is either has some terrible physicians or terrible luck. It's probably best to shut him down for the rest of they year and let him have sugery and just heal completely instead of trying to rush back to the court and having more recurring injuries.
