Banjoriddim

I actually can't expect anything out of him, because he can go down any moment... but even if he stays healthy he will have serious problems if he hopes to play more than 10-15 minutes.

MillerTime

I'm sorry, but i definetly need to disagree with StephanJackson on this one. Jonathan Bender always is hyped in every off-season, and always fails. The guy hasn't been anything in years, he'd need a miracle to break out IMO. He must be rusty, he has no expierence basicially and he hasn't played cometitive basketball in years for a consistant basis. All that is against him, added with the fact that he always gets hurts, doesn't help him either.

I honestly don't even consider Bender a project player anymore. If he gives us points, great, if he has a good game, then great for us, but i expect nothing from him. I expect as much out of him that Seattle can expect out of Rick Brunson.

Also, if he ever will "breakout" i don't think it will be in Indiana. I think everyone lost faith in him, including Bird. If he is to make a splash somewhere, he will need a new city, new system, new coach, and new teammates. I wish the guy the best, but he's been a massive bust so far. I've never seen a pro team hold onto a bust as long as we have, and every year, there's some fans who fall for it.

He deserves a second chance, and go else where, but like someone said in this thread, his trade value is so low, noone wants him. But maybe we'd be better off getting rid of his contract, even if we get nothing in return, but i doubt anyone who would want him. We owe him $14.9 million for the next 2 seasons. Total waste.

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Zuca

When I've suggested about a Pollard and Bender trade for Theo Ratliff, is because I think that if Bender can even became an useful player, it will be in Portland... I think that McMillan can turn him into a poor version of Rashard Lewis... And because I think that Theo can be the missing piece to this Indiana team. Pollard is good for a backup C.

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MillerTime

I've heard that comparison often also, Bender to Lewis. However, you need to stay healthy to be something. It's hard giving up on a player like Bender, who had all the telant in the world, and was so highly hyped, but, if we do keep him this season, it really will be his very last chance with us. With one year remaining, it won't be too hard to deal him for a guy with a long term deal from a stuggling club.

It would be interesting to see Ratliff on the court with O'Nea. They would definetly be a force. I'd be very hard for anyone to score on us. But i just don't see Portland doing this deal, they'd be risking alot.

You were on the right track, well, until this point. You totally lost it here...... Have you seen Pollard play latley?

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Pacers Fan

I haven't had the chance to watch many Portland games, but I've heard that Theo Ratliff is starting to decline. I'd rather have Joel Przybilla at this point.

Pollard is a good backup when his back doesn't give out on him. He's a very good defender, hustles for everything, good rebounder, and can even score on occasion. Any team would like Pollard as a backup if he was healthy.

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