Delonte West absent from Cavaliers practice again
LeBron James says the Cavaliers will welcome back Delonte West, whenever he comes back.
West was absent from training camp for the second straight day Wednesday morning while he deals with personal issues. Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry has spoken at length to West, coach Mike Brown said, adding that the absence is unexcused and that West will be fined.
Ferry declined to meet with reporters Wednesday.
“We’ve been around this block before with Delonte, so we know how to handle it,” LeBron James said. “I’m sure he’ll be OK. Basketball has nothing to do with what’s going on. He needs to take as much time as he needs, and when he comes back, we’ll welcome him as we’ve always done.”
James said he called West but didn’t get an answer.
West, who has battled depression and mood disorders for years, also could face suspension by the league after he was recently arrested for gun possession in Maryland. Police pulled over his three-wheel motorcycle for a traffic violation and found he was carrying three loaded weapons - two handguns and a shotgun in a guitar case he had on his back.
He also missed 10 days last year during training camp to seek help for his mental illness.
“We’re all concerned about Delonte’s well-being. We love him and we’re all in the same family,” Brown said. “But in the same breath, we’re all paid to do a job and that’s what we’re doing. I’ve got 18 guys here I have to coach every day and that’s what I’m doing.”
West attended the team’s media day on Monday and was in good spirits. He said he had resumed taking his medications and was excited about the upcoming season. West downplayed the concealed weapons arrest, saying once the details were known “you’ll see that it’s not as big as some are making it.”
He has missed three team practices, with a fourth scheduled for Wednesday night. No one seemed hopeful of seeing him there.
“I’d be worried about someone who doesn’t have a supporting cast around him and not trying to help him. I’m really not concerned about him,” said guard Mo Williams.
“If he comes to practice tonight, it’ll be like he never left.”
WTF ?
The opposite of what Jordan would have done in a similar situation.
Daddy must be livid & a bit tuckered searching in vain for that spotlight.
well being an albino black probably affects you psychologically
A most cogent citation, hater.
You can bet he's had more than a few of those over his pigmentation.
Not too much of a deal.
West returns to Cavaliers after missing camp
Delonte West has returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing the first two days of training camp.
West practiced with his teammates on Thursday after missing the first four practices. West called the absences unexcused, but said he’s been in contact with general manager Danny Ferry.
West could still face a league suspension after he was recently arrested for gun possession in Maryland. Police pulled over his three-wheel motorcycle for a traffic violation and found he was carrying three loaded weapons - two handguns and a shotgun in a guitar case.
Cavs guard West held out of scrimmage
By Tom Withers
Troubled Cavaliers guard Delonte West did not join his teammates for an intrasquad scrimmage, the public’s first chance to see superstars LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal on the floor together as Cleveland teammates.
West, who skipped the team’s first four practices of training camp without permission, stayed back at the Cavs’ training facility and worked out as the team held a scrimmage in front of 5,000 fans, some of whom began lining up at 8 a.m. to get inside.
West has battled bipolar disorder and was recently arrested on gun possession charges in Maryland. A team spokesman said general manager Danny Ferry made the decision for West to sit out the scrimmage.
Ferry has not addressed West’s situation since media day on Monday.
Updated.
Delonte West leaves Cavs again
Delonte West is gone again, but LeBron James is confident West will be there when it counts.
West has left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time during training camp, although this time he has the team’s blessing.
He had unexcused absences for the first four practices last week and he missed about 10 days last year during the preseason while dealing with personal issues. He returned as the second-most important player to the Cavaliers’ postseason run to the Eastern Conference finals and James believes he can count on West again this year.
“He’s one of the ones that we know is going to be there no matter what,” James said Wednesday. “When he’s out on that court, he forgets about everything else going on in his personal life. We’re looking forward to getting him back, but he’s going to take as much time as he needs.”
West has battled bipolar disorder and could face a league suspension stemming from an arrest last month on misdemeanor gun possession charges in Maryland.
General manager Danny Ferry held him out of the team’s scrimmage on Saturday, but he was expected to play between 15 and 20 minutes in Cleveland’s exhibition game against Charlotte on Tuesday. Instead, West never left the locker room to join his teammates on the bench.
He was not at practice on Wednesday and the team confirmed this absence is excused.
“It’s not a distraction because we’re all professionals and we’re a veteran club,” James said. “Guys will be ready. But sometimes you want your full team out there so you know what type of potential you have. I think we all know what Delonte’s capable of doing on the court.”
West started at shooting guard last season, but he also was Mo Williams’ only real backup at point guard. With West out indefinitely, the Cavaliers will lean heavily on fourth-year backup Daniel Gibson.
Gibson is known more for his 3-point shooting than his point skills, but he ran the offense in the win over the Bobcats while Williams was out of the game. James and newcomer Anthony Parker also have experience running an offense.
“Those types of guys (Parker and James) can be on the floor with Gib if at times he’s in trouble bringing it up,” coach Mike Brown said. “We feel our ball-handling capabilities are above average in general. But Delonte brings a different dynamic to the team than what we have.”
Last edited by duncan228; 10-07-2009 at 03:37 PM.
the circus' personnel keeps growing
Coach Brown= MC
Shaq= the Elephant
Lebron = the clown
Delonte = the man with two heads
If this was Artest we wold have pages upon pages screaming about how the chemistry is gone, there is no chance for the team to win now. etc etc
But it isn't, so, uh....who gives a ?
The Cobb, with the goods/realistic style.
An endorsement from the Cul is the quickest way to lose any respectability around here.
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