Talk about a name from the past.  This is when high school guys were taughted incredibly highly and the NBA wasn’t so dickish about letting these guys in the league.  Remember Jonathan Bender? Looks like the kid might be ready to play…

After being sidelined for nearly four years, Jonathan Bender is confident a new training regimen will allow his troublesome knees to handle the pounding of playing basketball again.

The newest member of the New York Knicks was inactive for Tuesday’s game against Charlotte. Coach Mike D’Antoni said Bender will probably sit out Thursday’s game in Chicago, too. But the 7-footer with the soft shooting touch no longer has constant bone-on-bone pain from a lack of cartilage and thinks now is the good time to make a comeback after not playing since the 2005-06 season

It is a longshot?  Yes.  But it would be a great story.  Bender, now 28 is pretty confident he could handle himself on the court.  Remember, his best season was in 2001-02 where he only averaged 7 pts and 3 boards.  But still, wouldn’t that be pretty badass if the guy returned and actually helped a team?

The Knicks no less?  I’m rooting for the guy.  To be out that long and still be thinking about the game is pretty cool.  Bender could have wound up drunk or dead somewhere for all we know but he’s persisted and found a team that’s willing to take a shot.

A team could always use a skilled 7 footer and I hope that Bender helps this team