THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
PAGE 2B
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THE DAILY DEBATE
Could Larry Sanders help a playoff team?
Scott Chasen
@SChasenKU
"YES"
The question of whether Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders
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will play again this year is up in the air. No one knows the answer for sure, but there a lot less ambiguity in talking about the skill of the former VCU big man. In the 2014-15 season, Sanders' per-game numbers have taken a slight dip, but he's continued to thrive as a defensive force.
This year Sanders has had three or more blocks in 22.2 percent of his games. For comparison, Dwight Howard, who has led the NBA in blocks twice and is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, has had three or more blocks in just 18.8 percent of his outings this season.
Additionally, when Sanders plays 25 or more minutes, he's averaging 10.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and he'd had some pretty solid outings this year. Against Minnesota in November, Sanders posted 15 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in just 28 minutes — just a few steals and assists away from posting a five-by-five, which is one of the NBA's rarest stat lines. According
to NBAHoopsOnline.com.
Sanders would've become just the fifth player in the 21st century to record such a line.
top 20 in the NBA in block percentage and defensive box plus/minus as well.
The skillset is there, and there's certainly a market for talented big men, especially among the NBAs elite.
In an article Monday, ESPN's Marc Stein went as far as to call Sanders "one of the league's most impactful defensive big men," even while missing some
"THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, HOUSTON ROCKETS AND TORONTO RAPTORS ARE JUST SOME OF THE MANY TEAMS THAT COULD USE A PLAYER LIKE SANDERS."
SportsNet writer Michael Grange noted on Twitter that the Raptors could be a team to watch, while Orlando Sentinel columnist Brian Schmitz and Fox Sports writer Sam Amico suggested that the Magic and Cavaliers could be contenders as well.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors are just some of the many teams that could use a player like Sanders. Case in point, Dallas just brought in Amare' Stoudemire to help with its postseason aspirations. If the Mavericks believe a 32-year-old who has played in more than 770 career games will help them, it's not at all absurd to suggest that a better, 26-year-old player can't have the same impact on a team.
games this year. For a team to sign Sanders, it does have to take on the risks that are his off-the-court issues. However, if he's willing to do a slightly smaller deal, then there's no reason that Sanders can't help a team.
Simply put, the interest is there. The talent is there. Larry Sanders can help a contender
Per 40 minutes, Sanders and Stoudemire effectively average the same rebounds and assists, while Sanders is far better in the blocks, steals and turnovers columns. Sanders is also in the
— Edited by Mackenzie Clark
Evan Riggs
@EvanRiggs15
There has been no shortage of trade free agent and
"NO"
buyout rumors as the trade deadline is today at 2 p.m. (CT). According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Milwaukee Bucks have officially bought out big man Larry Sanders. It is possible that some playoff teams will go after his services, but that is a big risk that is not worth the possible reward.
decent player. It would be difficult for Sanders to mesh with a locker room midway through the season, even if that locker room is one with veteran leadership. He could help a multitude of playoff teams if they can just get him to play basketball, but he has problems that extend far beyond basketball that will not allow that to happen.
First, there is his physical health. Sanders played in just 50 games in the past two seasons. He tore a ligament in his thumb during a fight at a Milwaukee nightclub.
Sanders is one of the more talented defensive big men in the NBA. In the 2012- 2013 season, he averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. He was rewarded with a four-year, $44 million contract extension in the summer of 2013.
Since then, Sanders has appeared in just 50 games. When he has been able to play, he has still been a
"SANDERS COULD HAVE PLAYED LAST WEEK AGAINST THE SACRAMENTO KINGS, BUT HE WAS LISTED AS OUT BECAUSE OF 'PERSONAL REASONS.' "
He also fractured his right orbital bone, but that happened during a basketball game.
This season, Sanders has not appeared in a game for the Bucks since before Christmas. Initially, it was said he had an illness, but that morphed into "personal reasons." At one point, it was rumored he was ready to walk away from basketball altogether. Does a playoff
team really want to bring on a guy, midseason, who was unsure about playing basketball just one month ago?
"I'm trying to get to the root of a lot of issues and get them corrected," Sanders told NBA.com in January. "Without getting them corrected, I don't think basketball is something I could do."
In mid-lanuary, Sanders received a 10-game suspension from the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug policy after failing a drug test. This marked the fourth time he has violated the policy.
Sanders could have played last week against the Sacramento Kings, but he was listed as out because of "personal reasons."
During the summer, I would advocate for a team to sign him because that would mean he would have the entire training camp to get to know the organization and the players. There is no denying Sanders is a talented NBA player, it is not worth the risk for a playoff team to bring on a distraction like Sanders in the middle of the season, because his talent does not outweigh his risks.
Edited by Mackenzie Clark
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