Mario West is one of those guys that is always bouncing around to different places to play the game of basketball. After playing for the Atlanta Hawks during the 2008-2009 season, West was unable to secure an NBA job at the beginning of the 2009-2010 season. As a result, West choose to enter the NBA Development League, where he played under Austin Ainge for the Maine Red Claws.
During his time as a Red Claws, West raised eyebrows with his very strict defensive abilities and his ability to be a leader on his team. As a result, West once again signed on with the Atlanta Hawks and finished up last season as a member of the Hawks,
Due to the crazy free agency period that went on this offseason, West was unable to sign with the Hawks and was once again without an NBA job. That was when the Boston Celtics decided to bring West in as a training camp invitee.
Through the first three games of the preseason West really didn't get a lot of time to show off his talents. In the Celtics third preseason game against the Raptors, Mario recorded a DNP.
On Tuesday night, however, with six of the top players on the Celtics depth chart getting the night off, West recorded almost eight minutes of play throughout the game. During that time West proved to Doc Rivers why he has the reputation of being a great defensive guard.
West recorded four points, one steal, and one huge block (see video above) during his eight minutes of play. He also recorded the second hightest +/- rating on the team with a +3.
Although Mario's chances of making the team are looking slim right now, only time will tell if he's done enough so far to please Doc Rivers. If he hasn't, he will either a) receive a contract from another NBA team, b) take his talents overseas, or c) re-enter the D-Leage where his rights belong to the Maine Red Claws.
Wouldn't that be great to see Mario in a Red Claws uniform again? I think so.
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