Sanders reintroduces himself to NBA, fans: 'I can bring myself back to you all'
Larry Sanders is set to return to an NBA court for the first time in more than two years, and as he prepares for a fresh start with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the once-troubled big man addressed his fans and his new organization.
"I'm grateful to this organization that's given me a second chance and invested in me, and I plan on doing the same," Sanders said in a video diary on UNINTERRUPTED, his new teammate LeBron James' site.
"I spent some time away from basketball, getting myself together, starting my company out in L.A., and developing myself as a man, and it's been a great journey. At this point, I feel really confident in myself as far as coming back to the game."
Sanders, 28, walked away from the bulk of his four-year, $44-million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks in early 2015, sought treatment for anxiety and depression, and immersed himself in the Los Angeles arts community. Before stepping away from the game, he'd served suspensions for repeated violations of the NBA's substance-abuse policy.
Despite the long layoff and his professed struggles with mental health, he says he's physically and psychologically prepared to reintroduce himself to NBA life. He says he and his trainer, Stanley Remy, have "been in the lab since the beginning of the summer," working on his body, mind, and spirit.
"Now I feel like I can bring myself back to you all, and put myself out there again," Sanders said. "Be on the court, respect the game, and hopefully help the team win a championship.
"I stepped away from the game for a little bit, and I know everyone thought it was for marijuana. But I had to develop some things on the personal side. I had things I had to handle; as a man, as a father, as a husband. And now that I've developed certain things and I've grown, I feel confident. I feel that I can simultaneously handle basketball and my personal life. And I'm truly thankful to the Cavs and LeBron, for believing in me and giving me this chance."
Sanders, who averaged 6.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in parts of five seasons with the Bucks, is stepping into what's been a cursed role for the Cavs this season. The team has largely gotten by without a traditional, rim-protecting center, and their attempts to fill that void have ended injuriously for those involved. Chris Andersen played just 12 games and 114 total minutes before suffering a season-ending ACL tear, and buyout-market addition Andrew Bogut broke his leg 58 seconds into his Cavs debut.
The Cavs and Sanders will hope for a more fruitful outcome.
"I look forward to getting back on that court," he said. "I look forward to putting those goggles on."