Jonathan Bender, former NBA player and fifth pick in the 1999 Draft, recently shared his experience with the 2009-10 New York Knicks.
Bender spoke with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Scoop B Radio about his time with the Knicks.
He recalled a lack of focus on defensive drills and strategy under then-coach Mike D’Antoni.
“Bro! I can just remember no defense!” Bender said. “I remember no defensive drills — I remember NO defense! I was like, ‘Where’s the defense?!?’”
Bender criticized the Knicks’ approach, stating, “We didn’t practice ANY defense! It was more of go out there and pass-pass, move move, screen, move, shoot… you know? Sort of that type of stuff.”
He added, “I understand that he’s [Mike D’Antoni] is not a defensive guy, but we didn’t do ANY real defense from that perspective.”
Bender also mentioned his unfamiliarity with D’Antoni’s coaching style: “D’Antoni was a weird type of guy, you know? I really didn’t have a relationship with him to tell you the truth. I don’t really know how to articulate the type of guy he was. He was interesting. I’ll put it like that.”
Despite the defensive shortcomings, Bender enjoyed his time in New York. “I had fun in New York,” he said. “It was a different experience for me coming from the South and going to Indiana in the Midwest and now I’m up in the Northeast? Man, that was very different for me, but I appreciated it and I liked my time being there and playing in The Garden.”
Bender also humorously noted, “I don’t miss the rats, you know? I thought that was a myth, nope that’s a real thing! [laughing]”
The 2010 Knicks, coached by D’Antoni, finished 29-53 and missed the playoffs. The team was known for its high-scoring offense but struggled defensively.
