Larry Bird believed a Pacers player could’ve dominated the NBA if he was healthy: “You’re gonna change this league” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Former Indiana Pacers forward Jonathan Bender presented a strong case for being a future NBA star. His potential was recognized by then-Pacers president Larry Bird, who was convinced Bender had what it takes to dominate the NBA.
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Unfortunately for Bender, injuries drastically hindered his rise to NBA stardom. He was often hurt early in his career, but Bird didn’t lose faith in him despite that.
According to Bender, Bird kept encouraging him amidst the dejection caused by his recurring injuries. Though he never really reached the level that Bird projected for him, Bender is grateful for Larry Legend’s uplifting words during those challenging times.
“I don’t know if people realize how much Larry believed in me,” Bird told Scoop B Robinson last month. “He would always say, ‘When you’re healthy, you’re gonna change this league.’ I just never stayed healthy long enough.”
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Bender never really had a chance to stay healthy
Before making it to the NBA, Bender was already a promising prospect. JB played the better part of his high school career as a shooting guard.
After gaining national attention, Bender skipped college and went straight into the pros. Despite being only 18 years old, Bender believed he was physically and mentally ready for the NBA.
The Toronto Raptors drafted Bender as the fifth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. However, he was immediately traded to the Pacers.
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Bender looked forward to the season only to discover he would be sidelined due to knee injuries. Understandably, Bender felt disappointed and frustrated as he encountered the same challenges almost every year.
“I was still trying to understand what was going on,” Bender fondly recalled. “I mean, one minute I’m hugging David Stern, the next I’m in a Pacers hat, meeting Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird.”
“I’d go into training camp ready to go, and then boom — swelling, inflammation, back to square one. It was frustrating. At some point, you start wondering if your body is betraying you.”
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Bender was forced to retire early
Bird’s support could only do so much. Sadly, Larry Legend couldn’t do anything to help Bender with his knee issues.
Bender only played 296 games throughout his eight-year NBA career due to injuries. He played his healthiest season in 2001-02, in which he appeared in 78 games, averaging 7.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per outing.
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The worst stint happened when Bender missed three consecutive seasons due to injuries. He managed to make an NBA return in 2009 but only played 25 games for the New York Knicks. Bender was offered another one-year deal, but he chose to officially retire.
Having been frequently hurt, Bender’s game was understandably affected. However, it didn’t impair his other skills and abilities. In 2013, JB launched the “JB Intensive Trainer,” a piece of equipment that strengthens athlete’s knees.
“I wasn’t gonna sit around and mope,” Bender reflected. “I still had ideas, creativity, vision.”
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“The whole idea was — can I help the next generation avoid what I went through? Whether you’re an athlete or someone just trying to walk without pain, there had to be something out there,” he further stated.
Bender’s NBA career was fateful. But in retrospect, he still feels fortunate to have the moral support and backing of such an impactful figure as Bird all throughout his journey.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.