Yardbarker: Delonte West

Delonte West gives fans, and himself, hope: Bill Livingston

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:16:25 -0500

Playing only because of matchups against Dallas, Delonte West had a double-double in points and assists Saturday in the Cavaliers” victory. It is no guarantee for the future with the troubled guard, but it was a reminder of how good he can be.

Whither West? Guard's playing time a night-to-night decision: Cavaliers Insider

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:31:09 -0500

Delonte West is back on the nightly active roster, but it has never been more clear that he's not always in the nightly plans.

Pregame Notes: Delonte West, Shaq and the Warriors

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:46:42 -0500

Coach Mike Brown said that Delonte West will be activated for tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors. How much playing time he gets remains to be seen. In West’s three games of being inactive, others have stepped in to fill the void and his time. ‘’That depends on how the game unfolds in terms of his [...]

While We’re Waiting… Magini/Kokinis, GM of the Future, and Delonte West Teetering

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:19 -0500

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar. “So why this head now? There are two primary competing views. One holds that Lerner finally recognized a supposed mistake in hiring a coach [...]

Delonte West Indicted on Weapons Charges

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:08:24 -0500

It appears that the happiness regarding Delonte West’s return to the hard wood may be a bit short-lived. With the Cavaliers hosting the Washington Wizards tonight, it is the D.C. area that has officially indicted the guard on the weapons charges from a few weeks ago. Prince George’s County (Md.) State’s Attorney Glenn F. Ivey announced [...]

While We’re Waiting… Delonte West Returns, Movember Movement, and Browns Unraveling

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:24 -0500

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar. Welcome back, D-West: “They were missing that little spark at that point in the game when you needed one. They were missing that defensive [...]

Cavs Win as West Returns

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:03:54 -0500

He’s back. Delonte West received a standing ovation as he made his first appearance of the season last night as the Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 90-79. West played 24 minutes off the bench and tallied up 13 points, 2 assists, and a steal as he was a main ingredient to the Cavaliers success last [...]

Delonte West Doubtful for Season Opener

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:00:18 -0500

While we will have a preview of the Cavs/Celtics game coming up a bit later today, those fans looking forward to seeing Delonte West return to the court may have to wait just a bit longer. While George Thomas of the ABJ reported that guard Delonte West was in fact at Quicken Loans Arena, Brian Windhorst [...]

Leave Delonte West Alone!

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:12 -0500

It is no secret that this past offseason has had its ups and downs for Cavs guard Delonte West. He gets married. His GM finds him some relief at the off-guard that can allow him to get some actual rest. His GM finds a big man that could be the piece that gets a ring on [...]

Delonte West’ Wife Files Domestic Violence Report

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:30:40 -0500

With only one day left before the Cavaliers are set to begin what is perhaps the most important, yet promising season in Cleveland Cavalier history Delonte West is making headlines once again. According to WOIO 19 News out of Cleveland, West and his wife got into a reported argument that resulted in the filing of a [...]

Cavs News: Delonte West Involved in Domestic Incident

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:00:53 -0500

The sordid offseason of Cavs Guard Delonte West allegedly took another turn Saturday evening. While it pains us to have to discuss this, 19 Action News has reported that West’s wife filed a domestic violence report against him. Per the 10 report: The two reportedly fought at their apartment when Delonte tried to take her wedding ring [...]

Report: Delonte West Must Earn Starting Spot

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:00:31 -0500

Given his absence for most of the preseason, Mike Brown has gone on record to say that Delonte West will not simply be injected into the starting lineup upon his return. Following up an arrest with an ongoing battle with his bi-polar disorder, West has been given a carte blanche of sorts in terms of recovery [...]

Delonte West Returns to Cavaliers Practice

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:00:14 -0500

After taking a short leave of absence from the team, Cavs guard – and glue-guy – Delonte West has returned to the team practice facility. Brian Windhorst and the ABJ’s George Thomas tweeted yesterday afternoon about West’s attendance. Thomas quickly followed up with what the future may hold for West and the Cavaliers. A source with knowledge [...]

To Delonte West Finding Some Peace of Mind

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:32:00 -0500

I am trying to be a kinder, gentler Legend these days. In all seriousness, the mindless bashing of players for their slip-ups and personal missteps -- serious or as often is the case more often minor -- is becoming less funny and more...regrettable...if not reprehensible? It doesn't particularly reward me (with anything but, sadly, traffic), my readers or the players themselves. They surely get more than enough heat from those "traditional" boys without the need for the blogging mobs to flippantlypile on.

So, I'm not going to take the cheap bait. It's why I refrained from coming up with some trite, juvenile play-on-words headline for this post in reference to the Cavs' Delonte West's recent arrest on weapons charges. I won't lie and say it didn't pop into my head. It did. And then, for whatever reason, my head went somewhere else. Far away from what would be the "wittiest" (and likely most callous) headline to the other end of the spectrum.

Namely, that Delonte West is clearly a troubled young (26) year-old man. He's had issues in the past, and it's this is not an individual who is at peace now either. Details continue to emerge that make one question how well West is or may ever be. Some will belittle him relentlessly. Folks will talk about how stupid these athletes are and how their 10s of millions of dollars shouldn't buy them any sympathy. Trust me, I get the sentiment. But I'm one of those who also tries to see the other side of the story.

Delonte West was pulled over on his motorcycle driving dangerously on the Beltway not too far from where he played high school ball. According to reports, he was carrying three loaded guns: "a Beretta 9mm in [his] waistband, a Ruger .357 magnum strapped to his leg and a shotgun in a guitar case slung over his back"(my emphasis added).

After reading that passage, one seemingly-similar athlete case immediately came to mind - Maurice Clarett. The former Ohio St. star (short-lived), Clarett was apprehended by police in August of 2006 after a high-speed chase that later revealed four loaded weapons including an AK-47 assault rifle. Maurice was fairly resistant to officers' attempts to subdue him via taser on account of the bulletproof vest he was wearing at the time.

Now, whether the cases are true parallels (or have any similarities beyond the erratic driving and seeming preparedness for a firefight) I cannot say. However, neither are instances, for example, of mere immaturity or stupidity a la a fairly well-adjusted veteran athletes trying to play gangsta. Each reeks of something deeper, more troubling and, frankly, much sadder. I'm not sure what Delonte was running from or heading after with that arsenal, but this 26 year-old appears in need of help. Hopefully, he can find it and whatever other peace he needs.

Out...