“It’s great to be back.”
That quote has to be the most frequently spoken one during the NBA’s annual media days.
When Larry Sanders uttered those words the day before the Milwaukee Bucks opened 2014 training camp, they carried different meaning than they do for most. And they came from a dramatically different perspective than the Bucks center had ever spoken them before.
A series of on- and off-court misadventures limited Sanders’ fourth NBA season to only 23 games in 2013-14, so when his opportunity to make a fresh start finally arrived, it didn’t have to knock twice.
“I’m excited to get back,” Sanders said. “I had a very long time off from playing basketball. I spent a lot of time with the guys working out and getting myself back in shape. I’m excited to see everyone here and excited to get the season started.”
Sanders lost 59 games due to injury or suspension last season. He was sidelined for 25 contests in November and December after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb suffered on Nov. 11. He returned to the lineup Dec. 27 and put together a five-game stretch from Jan. 29 through Feb. 5 during which he averaged 13.4 points and 10.4 rebounds, capped by a career-high 25-point, 15-rebound outing at Denver.
Three days later, however, Sanders collided with Houston Rockets guard James Harden under the basket and sustained a fracture to his right orbital bone that sidelined him for the final 27 games of Milwaukee’s season.
That span was difficult for him.
“It was tough sitting there and not playing while my team was struggling,” Sanders said. “If we’re going to struggle, we’re going to struggle together. I felt like I was a part of that struggle. I look forward to overcoming the struggles and adversity that come with being on a team.”
Sanders is grateful for the assistance he received from numerous sources during his struggles.
“My wife, God, my family, the organization here,” he said. “I was in a dark spot feeling alone until hands tried to pull me out. I had people in my corner who wanted the best for me and wanted to help me out of those situations.”
Sanders has tried to put the best construction on what he went through.
“It’s a matter of pushing through and learning from the things that happened,” he said. “Whether they’re situations on the court or off the court, it’s all about growth. Nothing grows without pain. Nothing grows without struggle. It’s all about overcoming the pain and struggles.
“Last year was frustrating, but it wasn’t the first time in my life that I’ve been through a struggle or been through adversity. You just have to get through it and learn from it and understand that it has purpose.”
Sanders recovered from his injuries well enough to work on his game during the offseason.
“I healed up pretty good,” he said. “I was able to do a lot of functionality stuff with the body, a lot of isolation. I did a lot of good things this summer.
“I’ll be wearing goggles to protect the eye. Any contact around the fracture, the blowout, could cause bleeding or different things to happen in that part of my face, so I’ll definitely be wearing goggles for the rest of my career.”
Jason Kidd, who became the 14th head coach in Bucks history July 1, connected with Sanders shortly thereafter and was pleased with the commitment and progress he saw from him during the summer.
“I look at him to be the anchor of our defense,” Kidd said. “I look for him to have a good season.
“When you look at Larry, you look at Tyson Chandler and those types of centers who defend and get you some easy baskets, be the captain of the defense. When I see Larry and his ability, what he brings to the table, I’m just very lucky to have the opportunity to coach him. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him during the summer. He’s excited to play basketball, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to coach him.”
Sanders has welcomed the chance to play for Kidd, too.
“Not so long ago, he was in the situations we’re in now,” Sanders said. “He knows how to deal with the media in this day and age, and how to be a public figure in this day and age. He understands what that’s about. That might be the deepest connection, understanding what it’s like to be those things in the NBA culture.
“There’s a lot of knowledge, a lot of wisdom. I think his knowledge has carried over. He got to know every aspect of the game when he was a player. It relates directly to the way he’s doing his job now.”
Sanders, averaging 7.2 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds in 21.7 minutes per game through the team’s first 19 outings this season, admits he has found a comfort zone in Kidd’s system.
“He’s very disciplined with what he wants to do on defense,” Sanders said. “Offensively, the main things he wants us to do are take care of the ball and be unselfish. The bigs will be in position to receive the pass a little more.
“It’s just going to be a matter of growing accustomed to that and being comfortable with that freedom. I think he’ll continue to instill that confidence in us and have a freer offense that gets everyone involved. We’ll build off that.”