Jonathan Bender didn’t choose to wear No. 9 because he was making a Roy Hobbs-like comeback, but he might as well have.
Bender scored 11 points in the Knicks’ 98-94 victory over the Bobcats last night at the Garden, and in two games — both victories — since returning from a four-year absence, he has hit all four of his 3-point shots and is averaging 34.2 points per 48 minutes.
Hobbs, the lead character in the fictional film The Natural, returned to baseball after a 16-year absence, donned No. 9 and brought a lifeless team back to prominence. The Knicks began their current hot streak before Bender was signed, but his impressive return has given the team a needed boost nonetheless.
PHOTOS: KNICKS BEAT BOBCATS, 98-94
Bender entered the game with 3:20 remaining in the first quarter and turned over the ball twice before hitting a 3-pointer from the left wing that gave the Knicks a 16-14 lead and elicited a cheer from the 18,767 fans.
Bender finished 3-for-4 from the floor and 3-for-3 from downtown, but committed three turnovers in 14 minutes.
“[My jump shot] was the only thing really working for me,” the 28-year-old Bender said. “I couldn’t get to the boards, had a few turnovers I was disappointed about. At least the jumper was working.”
Bender, a 7-footer with guard skills, has been known as a good shooter since he was drafted out of Picayune High School in Mississippi in 1999, but his perfect numbers from long-range was not expected.
“He gives us a big positive,” coach Mike D’Antoni said.
D’Antoni has spoken highly of Bender since he signed, and any skepticism that surrounded the coach’s optimism is vanishing with each 3-pointer Bender sinks.
Bender’s best quality might be his high basketball IQ, which has allowed him to merge seamlessly into D’Antoni’s system.
Bender and D’Antoni see even better things to come as Bender’s stamina and comfort level improve.
“I don’t think I’m there yet,” Bender said. “Everybody can shoot, so I try to go with the flow, fit right in.”
Said D’Antoni: “It’s a testament to him. He hit a couple big 3’s. I really want to see him get his legs and put the ball on the floor. He can post up, too.”
Hobbs lead his team to the pennant. Bender would be happy just to help the Knicks maintain their current hot streak, which has seen them win seven of their last 10 to improve to 10-17 and move within one game of the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
“When we get to driving the ball and really taking it to the rim, I think we’re real, real effective,” Bender said. “I think everything will be good going forward.”