This changes everything. Now they can get away with being substandard at the point, they can supplement all the athleticism they have up front with Maurice Taylor , Tyrone Nesby and Lamond Murray , and he can grow along with Michael Olowokandi . The maturity question remains, but the Clips have a habit of making guys grow up in a hurry. The Raptors made this pick for Indiana, and will receive Antonio Davis as its compensation - a perfect fit in Toronto. As for the Pacers, it would appear that this is the first step toward tearing it down, as they will be subject to the same Camby-Oakley debate that the Knicks were engulfed by all year.
Bender is quality.
But he is a boy, and he can not do the man's job that AD did so well. And he won't hurt you. Some of the guys chosen before him are mistake players, he's not. He'll be a better pro than a college player. The pullup jumper is the most indefensible shot in basketball, and nobody's got a better one than this guy.