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Going into training camp last fall, Sanders appeared to be the odd man out. Veteran Samuel Dalembert, acquired in a trade with Houston, was clearly the starting center and the power forward spot — probably Sanders’ natural position — was well fortified with Ersan Ilyasova, Ekpe Udoh and top draft choice John Henson. But instead of accepting his fate, Sanders changed it. He displayed continual improvement and, after Dalembert foundered, eventually moved into the starting lineup. Now, 53 starts later, Sanders is one of the most promising young big men in the game. "Once you get an opportunity, you have got to be ready to take advantage of it and seize it," Minnesota coach Rick Adelman said. "And he (Sanders) has really done that. He’s really become effective for them." Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

Sanders’ stunning development has made him a certifiable candidate for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. Donnie Walsh, the Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations, feels Sanders warrants consideration. "Of course, he does," said Walsh, whose team also has a legitimate Most Improved candidate in Paul George. "Sanders should be in the mix. He’s a good player. It looks like he’s going to have a very bright future." Adelman and veteran Minnesota forward Andrei Kirilenko also feel Sanders should be in the mix for the award. "Yeah, I think he should be, especially the way he’s plays defensively," Adelman said. "He’s definitely improved. He reminds me of the guy they had in Detroit, Ben Wallace, where he can block shots and have a big impact on the game." Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

Larry Sanders has had his share of incidents with officials this season, but even his harshest critics would agree this one wasn’t his fault. In the opening seconds of Milwaukee’s 131-102 blowout home win over Charlotte on Monday, Sanders decked referee Bill Kennedy with a right elbow to the face as he came down from winning the opening tip. Kennedy fell backwards onto his back and stumbled trying to get back up, holding his head in pain. The game was briefly delayed but Kennedy, a 15-year veteran, was able to continue. SI.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Referees 

Bucks center Larry Sanders was issued a hefty $50,000 fine for using a derogatory and offensive term and publicly criticizing officials, the NBA announced Sunday. Sanders was ejected with 2 minutes 44 seconds left in the Bucks' 107-94 loss to Miami on Friday. He "directed a derogatory and offensive term" to the officials and was ejected, according to a statement from Stu Jackson, NBA executive vice president of basketball operations. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Referees 

The fine also related to public criticism of officials. "I can imagine it's hard for a referee to ref a Miami Heat game," Sanders said in his post-game comments. "It's hard for me to take that sometimes. I feel like things are kind of swayed. Maybe (I should) care a little less." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Referees 

Sanders was ejected for the second straight game when he picked up two technical fouls with 2:44 remaining, after he was called for fouling James on a drive. Boylan said there would be a serious discussion with Sanders about his on-court behavior. "You're a professional athlete, and you have to behave like a professional," Boylan said. "The referees don't come in here with an agenda, for the most part. They come in here and ref the game. "I know all those guys. It doesn't mean you can't have an argument or a disagreement with one of them. That happens in the heat of the game. We'll talk with Larry. Like I've said to Larry before, I don't mind him playing with emotion as long as it doesn't hurt the team. "Getting ejected from two games in a row, it's not good for our team and it's not good for Larry." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

Sanders was ejected late in the loss in Washington on Wednesday night. "I can imagine it's hard for a referee to ref a Miami Heat game," Sanders said. "It's hard for me to take that sometimes. I feel like things are kind of swayed. Maybe (I should) care a little less." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

It was a scary moment in the early stages of the Heat’s 21st consecutive victory in Milawaukee on Friday, when Dwyane Wade took a hit to the head from the hip of Larry Sanders that sent him to the floor. Wade stayed down for a while, before eventually leaving to head to the locker room for further evaluation. He eventually returned, and finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists in Miami’s 107-94 win over the Bucks. It took some doing for Wade to get back out there, however. He said afterward he experienced numbness in his hands after the fall, and had to pass a concussion test before returning to action. NBCSports.com

Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Dwyane Wade, Larry Sanders, Injuries 

Gery Woelfel: Larry Sanders said he hasn't been reprimanded by NBA for "thumbs up"" to officials after being tossed in Wizards game. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

James Ham: Larry Sanders hyper-extended his left knee in the win over Golden State last night. Nothing serious according to Jim Boylan. Twitter @James_Ham

Larry Sanders, Injuries, Buck Williams 

Chris Vivlamore: Hawks have not heard from league about post-game incident where Bucks' Larry Sanders grabbed Zaza Pachulia. #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Zaza Pachulia 

The Bucks will look to unload Monta Ellis, but a source anticipated the Hawks might want a trade package to also include Larry Sanders who is one of the most improved players in the NBA this season. CSNNE.com

Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Monta Ellis, Larry Sanders 

Yet amid all of those talks, sources say, Jennings has moved alongside Larry Sanders and John Henson on the Bucks’ list of near-untouchables. This is despite Jennings’ widely presumed desire to leave Milwaukee in free agency this summer after failing to seal a contract extension in October like fellow point guards Jrue Holiday, Steph Curry and Ty Lawson and then changing agents earlier this month. ESPN.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Larry Sanders, Ty Lawson, John Henson, Jrue Holiday 

Ken Berger: The Bucks' Larry Sanders got a second opinion on his back, and tests were again negative, league source says. He remains day-to-day. Twitter @KBergCBS

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Injuries 

When Milwaukee Bucks big man Larry Sanders took a nasty spill against Denver on Tuesday night and hurt his back, there were immediate concerns from within the organization that the injury was serious. Yet according to a person with knowledge of the situation, fears that the third-year defensive specialist had fractured his back have been allayed and the injury is considered relatively minor. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the team had not yet updated his status publicly. It's unclear if the league leader in blocks (3.2 per game) will play tonight at Utah, but the Bucks are breathing a sigh of relief that it's even a possibility. USA Today Sports

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Injuries 

Marc Stein: Word is Bucks have been shopping Sam Dalembert thanks to emergence of Larry Sanders. Let's see if Sammy's 35 & 12 has impact on interest Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Samuel Dalembert, Larry Sanders 

Marc Stein: Bucks' appetite to trade Dalembert, however, could likewise be impacted by Larry Sanders' injury last night. Might feel they need him again. Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Samuel Dalembert, Larry Sanders 

Bucks forward Larry Sanders was ejected in the second quarter Wednesday in Milwaukee's 113-106 overtime loss to the Miami Heat. It was his first ejection this season after he was tossed from two games last April. This time it stemmed from an argument with officials over a foul call. After getting a first technical called on him, Sanders persisted and was given a second technical, meaning an automatic ejection. "Emotions flared a little bit," Sanders. "It was an emotional game. We really wanted that win. That's just about it." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

Sanders was told earlier this season by teammate Samuel Dalembert that "the referee is your best friend" and it's wise not to berate the officials. "I'm just trying to work through the calls," Sanders said. "They're unchangeable. You want to stand up for yourself a little bit and hope the next call won't be as bad. "You have no control over that. That's something you have to learn as you play." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders 

The Milwaukee Bucks say they've exercised contract options on Tobias Harris, Larry Sanders and Ekpe Udoh. ESPN.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Larry Sanders, Ekpe Udoh, Tobias Harris