Bucks stars Monta Ellis and Larry Sanders almost went toe-to-toe in the locker room after Milwaukee’s Game 3 loss during their first-round sweep at the hands of the Miami Heat according to CBSSports.com’s Ken Berger.
Sanders was said to give a fiery speech after the game filled with veiled references at Ellis and point guard Brandon Jennings who will be free agents this summer.
“We need to start playing together as a team and stop worrying about next year,” Sanders said according to one source. “We need to stop being selfish and start worrying about right now.”
Ellis quickly realized who Sanders was directing his anger at and approached him to confront him. The two were said to be close to squaring off before a teammate stepped in between them.
Ellis has an opt-out clause which will allow him to become a free agent this summer while Jennings will be a restricted free agent.
The team fired interim coach Jim Boylan shortly after the series ended and it has been widely reported that one of the main attributes the Bucks are seeking in his replacement is a strong-willed bench boss who can control the locker room.
