Recently waived Milwaukee Bucks big man Larry Sanders has answered several questions as to why he has refused a new deal and momentarily quit the sport all-together.

SANDERS TACKLES PERSONAL DEMONS

Larry Sanders penned a piece for the Player’s Tribune regarding his recent activity and why he left basketball.

Sanders, waived by the Milwaukee Bucks has been battling anxiety and depression and feels that basketball should take a back seat at the moment.

Via ESPN/AP:

Recently waived center Larry Sanders said he has received treatment for anxiety and depression.

Sanders, who was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, which officially completed his buyout, said in a piece he wrote for The Players’ Tribune that he sought treatment.

“I know I disappeared for a while, people wondering where I was. I actually entered into Rogers Memorial Hospital, and it was a program for anxiety and depression, mood disorders,” he said. “It taught me a lot about myself. It taught me about what’s important and where I would want to devote my time and energy.”

Sanders, who was suspended for five games on April 4 for testing positive for marijuana, said he began using the drug to treat his anxiety symptoms.

“Coming to the league, they drop this large amount of money out of nowhere. People automatically change around you,” he said. “… There’s no one really trying to guide, teach you what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. So you get lost, you get your money stolen.”

Sanders appeared in 27 games for Milwaukee this season, averaging 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 21.7 minutes of action per game.

To read Larry Sanders interview on the Player’s Tribune, click here.

HEAT SIGN BEASLEY TO 10-DAY CONTRACT

Michael Beasley took China by storm, he won MVP honours at the All-Star Game by exploding for 59 points and his time in the far east saw him average 27 points and 10 rebounds.

But he is back with the Miami Heat after inking a 10-deal deal as the franchise looks to fill the massive kid left by Chris Bosh, who is out for the season.

Via AP:

Beasley’s addition comes less than a week after the Heat learned they would lose All-Star forward Chris Bosh for the remainder of the season because of blood clots on one of his lungs. Miami (25-31) entered Thursday in the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Beasley spent this season in China, putting up monster numbers, including a 59-point performance in his league’s All-Star game. He has been working out in Miami for several days, even practicing in the team facility — a courtesy that the team extended to him, and a sign that yet another Beasley reunion could be looming.

And now it’s official, with Beasley wearing a team T-shirt as he signed his contract Thursday. He is in New Orleans and expected to be available when the Heat visit the Pelicans on Friday night.

BYRON SCOTT DOESN’T DO ADVANCED STATS

Prior to the Los Angeles Lakers’ 100-97 road win Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz, coach Byron Scott revealed to the press that he doesn’t much care for your fancy analytics.

Scott says his assistants bring up the numbers in meetings, but he just ignores them.

Via OC Register:

“I think we’ve got a few guys who believe in it,” Scott said. “I’m not one of them.” […] “I listen to them and all that stuff and take it into consideration,” he said, “but I’m still just old school.”General Manager Mitch Kupchak defended the Lakers’ use of analytics on ESPN 710 AM, the Lakers flagship radio station, pointing to the full-time employees who come through SportVU camera data. […] “We’ve actually had an analytic department that goes beyond traditional analysis now for several years,” Kupchak said. Kupchak described advanced metrics as “an asset to the coaches,” although it’s one Scott doesn’t care to use. He said assistant coach Mark Madsen keeps him up to speed on what analytics say.

Asked if they had influenced any major coaching decisions this year, he wasted no time considering his answer. […] “No,” he said.

SHANE BATTIER THOUGH ….

The recently retired Shane Battier disagrees..