HoopsHype.com Rumors

Gery Woelfel: Sanders said tiff with Ellis was"just personalities clashing." said he wouldn't have any issue with Ellis if he returns to Bicks next season Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Milwaukee Bucks, Monta Ellis, Larry Sanders 

Marc Stein: Milwaukee's Larry Sanders already tweeted he's a camp invitee & two more names, I'm told, are Golden State's Harrison Barnes & Klay Thompson Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, USA Basketball, Team USA, Harrison Barnes, Klay Thompson 

Less than a year ago Bucks center Larry Sanders was playing in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, trying to show he belonged in the league. This summer it appears Sanders will be back in Las Vegas, but this time as an invited player for a USA Basketball Select Team camp. A total of about 25 players will be invited to the camp, scheduled July 22-25, and Sanders sent out a Twitter message that he was among them. "Just found out I got selected to work out/try out for the USA Basketball Team this summer!" Sanders tweeted. "Such an amazing honor. Glory be to God." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, USA Basketball, Team USA 

Peter Vecsey: Heard what ignited Monta-Sanders end-of-season near fight: Source says Larry told Ellis in essence, "We'd be much better if you went home." Twitter @PeterVecsey1

Milwaukee Bucks, Monta Ellis, Larry Sanders 

Monta Ellis and Larry Sanders nearly came to blows in the locker room after Game 3 of Milwaukee's first-round sweep at the hands of defending champion Miami, four people with knowledge of the confrontation told CBSSports.com. CBSSports.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Monta Ellis, Larry Sanders 

Though the players had to be separated, the dust-up didn't get serious enough to trigger disciplinary action for either player. One source described the confrontation as “just words between teammates in the locker room.” But the incident offered a glimpse into some troubling team dynamics as the Bucks navigate a critical offseason for the franchise. CBSSports.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Monta Ellis, Larry Sanders 

Ellis “took umbrage,” according to another person with knowledge of the situation. Correctly assuming that Sanders' comments were directed primarily at him and backcourt mate Brandon Jennings, who both are prospective free agents, Ellis approached Sanders and squared off with him, sources said. A teammate got between the two players and separated them before the conflict became physical. CBSSports.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings, Larry Sanders 

Jim Boylan probably coached his last Bucks game Sunday. Boylan replaced the fired Scott Skiles on Jan. 8 and guided the Bucks into postseason play. But the Bucks struggled down the stretch during the regular season and didn’t play particularly well in the playoffs. There is speculation Boylan could learn of his fate as soon as Monday. “He did a good job.” Bucks center Larry Sanders said of Boylan. “He did his best he could under some tough conditions.” Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Larry Sanders, Jim Boylan 

With four stitches just below his chin as a result of a collision with Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders in Tuesday's Game 2 of this opening-round playoff series, Battier was a bit scruffier than usual during Thursday's shootaround at the Al McGuire Center at Marquette University. "It's fine, but it's time for a playoff beard," he said with a smile. "A playoff beard is in order." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Shane Battier 

Larry Sanders: Basketball is a team sport and that's why I love it so much, it's never been about me and what award I deserve..it's about what we deserve! Twitter @LarrySanders

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

George received 311 of a possible 1,080 points, including 52 first-place votes, from a panel of 120 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Greivis Vasquez of the New Orleans (146 points, 13 first-place votes) and the Milwaukee Bucks' Larry Sanders (141 points, 10 first-place votes) finished second and third, respectively. NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Paul George, Greivis Vasquez, Larry Sanders 

Charles F. Gardner: Spoelstra on Sanders: "Right now he's doing it off instincts and he's as good as anybody, in terms of reading when to come to help." Twitter @cf_gardner

Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Erik Spoelstra 

The Larry Sanders show hasn't been canceled. At least not yet. At least that's what the Milwaukee Bucks are hoping, now down 1-0 to the Miami Heat in this best-of-seven opening-round NBA playoff series. A candidate for both Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year, the third-year center was a non-factor in Sunday's 110-87 Bucks loss at AmericanAirlines Arena, with just six points and without a blocked shot. "I felt like I couldn't get in a rhythm," he said Monday of foul trouble that limited him to 19 minutes Sunday. "I kept having to re-start my engine." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

Sanders said Monday he is prepared to step forward in Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. Game 2. "I felt that way after the game," Sanders said. "He doesn't need to say that. I definitely need to be one of the guys who steps up. I have to step up more. I didn't play as well as I wanted to. But I'm going to keep myself in the game, play better." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

If Jennings’ bravado about playing the Heat has rankled any of his teammates, they aren’t acknowledging it — at last publicly. When asked about Jennings’ prediction, Bucks center Larry Sanders smiled and said, “That’s a good goal to set.” Added veteran guard J.J. Redick: “I would assume every player should have that attitude, that you’re going to win the series. I mean you never go into a series thinking you’re going to lose the series, that your goal is to lose the series.” Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Brandon Jennings, JJ Redick, Larry Sanders 

The report was generally favorable on Bucks starters Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova on Saturday. Sanders (sore lower back) and Ilyasova (sore right wrist) practiced with the team before it left on an early afternoon charter flight to Miami. Game 1 against the Heat is scheduled at 6 p.m. Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena. Both are expected to be in the starting lineup for the series opener. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Injuries, Ersan Ilyasova 

Andrew Gruman: Larry Sanders isn't 100 percent yet, but he's playing Sunday. Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Injuries 

Gery Woelfel: Sanders said he'll try to keep emotions in check by writing Bible verses in his hand. "There's a lot of verses." Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

Gery Woelfel: Larry Sanders, who missed last 4 games with back problem, said he's a go for playoffs. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Injuries 

Along the way the Bucks also benched center Samuel Dalembert. That situation could also have been a huge negative for the team, but Larry Sanders has responded in a big way to the resulting increase in minutes. After struggling like so many young players do in his first two seasons, Sanders is coming into his own in year three of his NBA career. “Yeah, that’s so true,” says Hammond. “You draft Larry with the 15th pick and you’re hoping that when you used a first-round pick on a player that they turn out to be a location guy or better yet a starter, and Larry has turned out to be a significant piece of our team and a part of our team. Obviously, he’s one of the better shot blockers in the NBA. It’s been great for Larry, but he’s just taking advantage of the opportunity, and I think his game still has a chance to change and grow, and he’ll continue to develop as a player.” HoopsWorld

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders