By Lee Altman
When he cuts across the lane, he’s difficult to miss. Ball-handlers might not see him at first, but like death and taxes, he will inevitably come. When his 6’11 frame unfurls and his go-go-gadget arms extend, his reach stretches to 7 feet, 6 inches. Add in his 28-inch vertical jump and you get the 10-foot, sky-scraping behemoth that is Larry Sanders.
Fans both praised and ridiculed Sanders when he retired two years ago. Some were incredulous that he would even consider forfeiting the $27 million left on his contract. He was 26, on the brink of his prime and the defensive anchor on a young and promising Milwaukee Bucks team.
But fans made the same mistake that countless scouts, coaches, and teammates often had. They’d watch Sanders run and jump, block and dunk and only see the strong façade. Beneath the sturdy, goggled, tattooed veneer, however, he was crumbling. Beneath the money and fame and success was a human being that was deeply hurting.
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It was simmering for a long time, and would manifest itself in different ways. Multiple failed drug tests, a suspension, a bar fight. Sanders wasn’t happy. His personal well-being and his NBA career were reaching a breaking point.
It was February 26th, 2015 when Sanders made it official. After playing in only 27 games in his fifth NBA season, he stepped away from basketball. He was already being treated for anxiety and depression at Rogers Memorial Hospital in Milwaukee.
After the initial breaking-news stories and reactions, Sanders’ story slipped into obscurity. The Bucks moved on, as did the NBA, and his breakout season, in which he averaged almost 10 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game became just another “what could’ve been.”
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Sunny Los Angeles was the ideal setting for Sanders to collect his thoughts, center himself and embrace his new chapter off the court. He was always creative and after settling into post-basketball life, he began to explore art, photography and music. Music especially called to him, so he created his own production company and built a studio in the back of his home.
“Artist development is really my passion,” Sanders said. “I like to sit with artists and help them write music, develop their art, develop their brand concept and ideas.”
Sanders discovered that NBA vet Metta World Peace, who has also publicly battled mental health issues, had his own music production company. The two bonded and decided to link their ventures.
“It’s always entertaining being with Ron. He is full of ideas and inspirations so he’s really a good guy to be around,” Sanders said.
Over the next two years, Sanders’ developed his production skills, culminating in a collaboration with music producer Sevn Thomas. Thomas has worked extensively with Drake’s music label, OVO, and has produced hit tracks such as Drake’s “Know Yourself” and Rihanna’s “Work.”
The two created the beat for the second song on pop star PartyNextDoor’s recent album, which debuted at No. 3 on Billboard. The song title, “Don’t Run,” was symbolic of Larry Sanders’ current position on life, and the lyrics, “I heard you got too much on your shoulders … Sounds like your party is over,” reflected the dark times he’d emerged from.
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In 2016, as most former NBA players do, Sanders began having the urges. He missed the game. Occasionally he would run into NBA friends around LA. They’d always check in on Sanders and, hearing that he was doing much better, they’d always follow-up with the same question: “Do you want to come back?”
The more Sanders mulled it over, the more he realized he did. He had stayed in shape during his retirement but now decided to refocus his energy on basketball. He headed to Miami where trainer Stan Remy began working him into game shape. The next step was performing in front of an audience. Sanders’ new agent set up workouts and spread word to NBA scouts.
“The only places I went to were Boston and Cleveland to work out,” Sanders explained. “The other teams came and saw me in Miami and it was great. I got to sit down with them and talk to some of the guys in the organization, get my face back out there, have some good conversations, and it was like the draft process all over again.”
After the workouts, it was out of Sanders hands. All he could do was sit back and hope that the right team called.
***
“That sucks!” was Sanders’ first thought when he heard Andrew Bogut had broken his fibula.
It was Bogut’s first game after signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Injuries suck. I’ve dealt with a couple myself so at first I was just hoping he was okay and that was it,” Sanders said.
Shortly after, the phone rang, the Cavs were on the line, in need of a big man and eager to work out a deal with Sanders’ agent.
Sanders decided to accept the Cavaliers’ offer. Having played for a developing Milwaukee Bucks team earlier in his career, Sanders was intrigued by Cleveland’s tight structure.
“There’s a different feel with the Cavs. You have the vets there, you have LeBron, and I think because they’ve been contending for a championship the last couple years, they’re figuring out the recipe and they know what they need. It’s a great situation to be in. The team already has a lot of direction. They’re not figuring out too much. They’re just kind of filling in the puzzle pieces.”
Hearing the news of Sanders’ return to the NBA fraternity, his friends offered overwhelming encouragement.
“I had a really good conversation with Gerald Green in the midst of coming back. [Jae] Crowder, who’s a friend of mine [reached out] too,” Sanders said. “When I made the decision to come back, John Wall reached out. DeMarcus [Cousins], me and him had a chance to chat a little. It’s crazy because he got traded the day before it came [out] about me joining the Cavaliers. We just talked about what’s next for me and him. He was telling me that he’s looking forward to me coming back.”
***
Sanders pulled his trademark goggles down over his eyes like a superhero donning a mask. The sellout crowd of 3,209 rose to their feet and roared as he checked into his first game as a member of the Canton Charge. It was a far cry from the 20,000 fans he used to play in front of as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, but this was different. These fans were here to see him; to cheer him on and lift him up.
“It was awesome man,” Sanders said. “There is a lot of support in Ohio for the teams. There’s a lot of support all around and it made [that moment] feel really good and really special.”
The Cavaliers, fighting for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, had assigned Sanders to their D-League affiliate to get some playing time and work off the rust. Sanders looked like a guy who hadn’t played organized basketball in two years, recording two points and a rebound before fouling out. But for the Cavaliers and Sanders that was okay — it’s all a part of the process.
“I’m getting my timing and my game legs back,” Sanders said. “But I feel it getting better by the week, so I think it’s just naturally coming back to me, but I’m also putting in a lot of work. Just working my way back to playing at a high level.”
Since that game, Sanders has been recalled and assigned between Cleveland and Canton several times.
“I just have to get myself to the point where I can help this team contend and hopefully win a championship and that’s where my focus is so I’m just grinding. I can contribute my speed and size defensively, and I can contribute offensively too. Just using what I naturally have to try to make the game easier for those [other] guys.”
Sanders’ play has steadily increased over the four D-League games he has played in, recording eight points, then 10, then 16 rebounds. He looks sharp defensively as well, racking up 10 blocks over that span.
At this rate, Sanders appears to be building momentum for the NBA playoffs. The Cavaliers are in desperate need of a rim-protector and Sanders proved to be just that while manning the middle for the Bucks. If he can regain his old form, Sanders has the skill and athleticism to boost the Cavs’ 22nd-ranked defense. And as the age old adage goes, defense wins championships.
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“It’s like a light bulb has been turned on in my dark room,” Brandon Marshall told the SunSentinel in 2011 after being diagnosed and treated for borderline split-personality disorder.
“I’ve never spoken to Brandon Marshall, but I’ve heard his story,” Sanders said.
Although Sanders story is unique, it does, in a way, parallel that of the New York Giants Marshall, whose behavioral disorder seriously jeopardized his Hall of Fame-caliber NFL career. After receiving treatment, Marshall was able to return to the field and even improve his play. Marshall has since become a leading voice in the mental health community, especially for athletes.
Sanders used to write, “Do not fear for I am with you,” on his left palm before every game. It was a way to remind himself that he wasn’t alone on the court. He was surrounded by his teammates, fans and God. Now that Sanders has returned to basketball, he wants to become a beacon for other players that are trapped in the darkness; to let them know that they aren’t alone either.
“I want to be here for whoever decides to reach out on that level,” Sanders said. “I think the doors are still opening. There are a lot of words that are thrown out there, like diagnoses and labels, and no one really knows what they are. It comes with a lot of stuff that people don’t understand. [Some athletes] are dealing with these things on a daily basis yet they don’t really understand [them]. They just kind of have a label to lean on whether it’s anxiety or whatever. The education factor, with these doors opening, people getting more educated about what’s going on with them, allows them to feel more comfortable identifying with it. [Once they’re comfortable identifying] then I think guys will feel more comfortable being vocal about it.”
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Two words are prominently tattooed on either side of Sanders’ neck: “Family” and “Hope.” His love for his family and his hope for success in the future guide him. They have helped to free him from that overwhelming burden of anxiety and sadness. He has finally found a measure of happiness.
“My kids really, truly make me happy. My family, knowing that they’re good, that makes me happy. There’s just a lot of power in creation,” Sanders said. “It’s amazing that we have the power to bring things into this world.”
Now that he is in the right state of mind, Sanders hopes he can channel his creativity through the game and help the Cavaliers win another championship.
Ball-handlers beware — Larry Sanders is back and he’s brought his 10-foot reach and defensive prowess with him. The court is his newest canvas and he is looking to paint a masterpiece.
