Larry Sanders looking into return to NBA.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

Funny, as I was thinking about available guys a while back, I actually wondered when Sanders would return. He is someone I would explore.

He certainly stepped away from the NBA in a strange fashion. At first, all I could think about were guys like McCants, Beasley, etc as the stories I heard made him out to be an eccentric "freak". Then I saw a couple interviews (one is included below), and came away from that with a different perspective. The guy is ultra-talented, and was certainly looking to explore some other pieces of his life. I think most of us have at some point wanted to completely change the direction of our careers....but unlike Sanders, not many people have the financial security to do this. I tend to fall into the camp that wonders how someone can't be happy playing basketball for millions of dollars.....probably because I can't ever do that. But I truly believe that many players don't really "love" the game....but rather it simply becomes a chore...a job. It's a grind.....injuries, travelling, missing family, missing kids events, etc, etc. Larry seems to value some other things, and has what I view as a great perspective that in the end, basketball is only 1 facet of his life. Many won't like that he isn't 100% dedicated to only basketball, but I like to hear stories like this. Sports are entertainment, plain and simple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhnCna8DtEg

Would anyone have interest in Sanders? Would certainly need to get a handle on the weed, because regardless of why he uses, it won't be tolerated. Also, the anxiety and other things he has had issues with could always create an issue.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I absolutely would pursue Sanders. On court, the guy was one of the most disruptive defenders in the NBA. We need someone like that. As for the personal issues, I think being away from the game for a year will help him put things in a better perspective mentally and appreciate playing in the NBA. If we could offer him an incentive laden contract, I would.

[Coolbreeze44]

Big risk with him. Missed a lot of games due to injury when he wasn't having personal problems. And to be honest, he wasn't all that great to begin with.

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

Why?

Wolves already have a much better player to play center. They need better defenders at other positions plus a coach who has a clue. Larry is none of that.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Funny, as I was thinking about available guys a while back, I actually wondered when Sanders would return. He is someone I would explore.

He certainly stepped away from the NBA in a strange fashion. At first, all I could think about were guys like McCants, Beasley, etc as the stories I heard made him out to be an eccentric "freak". Then I saw a couple interviews (one is included below), and came away from that with a different perspective. The guy is ultra-talented, and was certainly looking to explore some other pieces of his life. I think most of us have at some point wanted to completely change the direction of our careers....but unlike Sanders, not many people have the financial security to do this. I tend to fall into the camp that wonders how someone can't be happy playing basketball for millions of dollars.....

That's the rub with Larry Sanders though.

When he was making less than $2M... he was a mad man on the court, praised almost universally for his activity and tenacity. And it earned him a 4 year / $44M contract. And the problems started almost immediately.

He got into the infamous club fight in December after signing the contract. And that was followed by laziness on the court and more craziness off it until he played the Royce White and Rashad McCants card with "Meh, I don't care anyway, I'm so much deeper than every other athlete."

Meh.

He's a selfish fraud who quit once he got paid. Now he wants to get paid again. I'd rather not root for that guy. Because it's bound to happen again.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I think his injuries were kind of freak injuries--like an eye socket injury. I am not overly concerned about physical injuries with him. The bigger risk is whether he has his personal issues under control and can be a good teammate. If things check out postively with him and we can get him on either an incentive laden contract or one with multiple team options, then I think you have to at least consider signing him.

[Coolbreeze44]

I think his injuries were kind of freak injuries--like an eye socket injury. I am not overly concerned about physical injuries with him. The bigger risk is whether he has his personal issues under control and can be a good teammate. If things check out postively with him and we can get him on either an incentive laden contract or one with multiple team options, then I think you have to at least consider signing him.

He had back problems

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Funny, as I was thinking about available guys a while back, I actually wondered when Sanders would return. He is someone I would explore.

He certainly stepped away from the NBA in a strange fashion. At first, all I could think about were guys like McCants, Beasley, etc as the stories I heard made him out to be an eccentric "freak". Then I saw a couple interviews (one is included below), and came away from that with a different perspective. The guy is ultra-talented, and was certainly looking to explore some other pieces of his life. I think most of us have at some point wanted to completely change the direction of our careers....but unlike Sanders, not many people have the financial security to do this. I tend to fall into the camp that wonders how someone can't be happy playing basketball for millions of dollars.....

That's the rub with Larry Sanders though.

When he was making less than $2M... he was a mad man on the court, praised almost universally for his activity and tenacity. And it earned him a 4 year / $44M contract. And the problems started almost immediately.

He got into the infamous club fight in December after signing the contract. And that was followed by laziness on the court and more craziness off it until he played the Royce White and Rashad McCants card with "Meh, I don't care anyway, I'm so much deeper than every other athlete."

Meh.

He's a selfish fraud who quit once he got paid. Now he wants to get paid again. I'd rather not root for that guy. Because it's bound to happen again.

I can understand some hate for him, but he gave up money too. He had a 44 million contract and was bought out for $1.9 million a year thru 2022.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I have no interest in players that don't love the game. Sanders loved what the game got him. He can take his money hungry self somewhere far away from Minnesota. We have a nucleus of good, competitive guys and it feels like a family atmosphere is growing here. Don't need Sanders and his problems. Look elsewhere for talent.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I think his injuries were kind of freak injuries--like an eye socket injury. I am not overly concerned about physical injuries with him. The bigger risk is whether he has his personal issues under control and can be a good teammate. If things check out postively with him and we can get him on either an incentive laden contract or one with multiple team options, then I think you have to at least consider signing him.

He had back problems

True and he had a thumb injury too, but his most recent injury was the eye injury. Of course, you don't sign him if he doesn't check out physically.