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Do IT this week: Layering
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 06:16 p.m. EDT, Sep 21, 2009
It's hard to imagine anyone tooling along the highway with as much firepower as Delonte West had Thursday night when he was arrested in suburban Washington, D.C.
West was carrying two pistols, one a .357, and a shotgun.
All were loaded — with the shotgun in a guitar case slung over West's shoulder.
The description makes him sound like a modern-day Doc Holliday heading to the OK Corral.
Except the situation isn't funny. Unless he was heading to a shooting range, nothing good could come from carrying that kind of arsenal.
Where West was going, what he was doing, why he had such weaponry — those are all unanswered questions.
So, too, is what the Cavs do about West, a guy they like personally and as a player, a guy they have gone to great lengths to help.
West has fought personal demons in his time with the Cavs. He took a brief leave of absence during training camp last year, then returned and explained in a heartfelt news conference that he had fought depression and bipolar personality disorder.
At the time, West was widely praised for his candor and openness.
The Cavs received letters from fans inspired by West's words, and from people who fight the same problems. The team made a great effort to help, support and nurture West.
It's clearly conjecture at this point, but West's behavior might indicate he went off his medications. Those who work with people who struggle with mental illness point out that the medications must be maintained. If they're not, problems can follow.
With professional sports teams, people will often say that the time a player is most likely to stray is during the offseason, when he's away from the structure and support of the team. When he's with the team, he can be monitored and he can live in the structure the team provides.
The righteous cry is that West should be cut.
But cutting him loose from the support structure of the team might not help him.
The decision might not solely belong to the Cavs, though. Because the NBA will weigh in on this situation.
The league has a personal conduct policy, and David Stern does not suffer fools.
This offseason, the Denver Nuggets' J.R. Smith has been suspended seven games for admitting to reckless driving, and the Phoenix Suns' Jason Richardson has been suspended two games for pleading guilty to drunken driving. (Smith also was suspended because he was involved in a 2007 accident that resulted in the death of a passenger in his car.)
Nuggets General Manager Mark Warkentien released a statement after Smith's suspension stating Stern had ''made it clear that it wants to set the highest standard of personal conduct for its athletes.''
What kind of standard carrying two pistols and a shotgun sets is up for debate.
No, West has not been convicted, but the guns were there.
Yes, people have the right to bear arms. In some neighborhoods of D.C. and its surroundings, lots of people carry guns.
But as it relates to the team and league, this has nothing to do with West's rights. It's what is right — right behavior for West, right behavior for the league and right behavior for the Cavs, which touts the importance of character in personnel decisions. Playing basketball professionally is not guaranteed in the Constitution. This offseason, the Cavs released Tarence Kinsey a month and six days after he was arrested on a DUI charge.
Kinsey's place on the roster was filled by free agents Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon, which might have had something to do with the move. But he was charged with the DUI as well.
West clearly is a far more important piece of the Cavs' rotation than Kinsey. Two years in a row when the playoffs ended, West was looked upon as the only guy besides LeBron James to come up big in the toughest games.
He's a hard-nosed, tough, smart player. He's at times moody and quiet, at other times charming and funny. His arrest is emblematic: He had those weapons, and he was released on his own recognizance.
He has a trial date set for Nov. 20.
His father told the Washington Post that West was ''looking behind his back and protecting himself.''
Perhaps it's best at this point for the Cavs and West to take a step back and ensure that West looks not behind but at himself.
Start, as Michael Jackson once said, with the man in the mirror.
At the least, an extended and unspecified leave of absence seems in order. That would allow West to get himself back together and allow the Cavs to find out what was going on in his life.
If he can get his life together, or there is some plausible explanation for what happened (like a medication issue), he deserves one more chance.
If he can't, he's proved he probably should not make his living in the NBA. Or at least with the Cavs. If character matters, it has to matter with all.
Because no win is worth the risk West brought to himself, the team and society in general on that highway last Thursday.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
It's hard to imagine anyone tooling along the highway with as much firepower as Delonte West had Thursday night when he was arrested in suburban Washington, D.C.
West was carrying two pistols, one a .357, and a shotgun.
All were loaded — with the shotgun in a guitar case slung over West's shoulder.
The description makes him sound like a modern-day Doc Holliday heading to the OK Corral.
Except the situation isn't funny. Unless he was heading to a shooting range, nothing good could come from carrying that kind of arsenal.
Where West was going, what he was doing, why he had such weaponry — those are all unanswered questions.
So, too, is what the Cavs do about West, a guy they like personally and as a player, a guy they have gone to great lengths to help.
West has fought personal demons in his time with the Cavs. He took a brief leave of absence during training camp last year, then returned and explained in a heartfelt news conference that he had fought depression and bipolar personality disorder.
At the time, West was widely praised for his candor and openness.
The Cavs received letters from fans inspired by West's words, and from people who fight the same problems. The team made a great effort to help, support and nurture West.
It's clearly conjecture at this point, but West's behavior might indicate he went off his medications. Those who work with people who struggle with mental illness point out that the medications must be maintained. If they're not, problems can follow.
With professional sports teams, people will often say that the time a player is most likely to stray is during the offseason, when he's away from the structure and support of the team. When he's with the team, he can be monitored and he can live in the structure the team provides.
The righteous cry is that West should be cut.
But cutting him loose from the support structure of the team might not help him.
The decision might not solely belong to the Cavs, though. Because the NBA will weigh in on this situation.
The league has a personal conduct policy, and David Stern does not suffer fools.
This offseason, the Denver Nuggets' J.R. Smith has been suspended seven games for admitting to reckless driving, and the Phoenix Suns' Jason Richardson has been suspended two games for pleading guilty to drunken driving. (Smith also was suspended because he was involved in a 2007 accident that resulted in the death of a passenger in his car.)
Nuggets General Manager Mark Warkentien released a statement after Smith's suspension stating Stern had ''made it clear that it wants to set the highest standard of personal conduct for its athletes.''
What kind of standard carrying two pistols and a shotgun sets is up for debate.
No, West has not been convicted, but the guns were there.
Yes, people have the right to bear arms. In some neighborhoods of D.C. and its surroundings, lots of people carry guns.
But as it relates to the team and league, this has nothing to do with West's rights. It's what is right — right behavior for West, right behavior for the league and right behavior for the Cavs, which touts the importance of character in personnel decisions. Playing basketball professionally is not guaranteed in the Constitution. This offseason, the Cavs released Tarence Kinsey a month and six days after he was arrested on a DUI charge.
Kinsey's place on the roster was filled by free agents Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon, which might have had something to do with the move. But he was charged with the DUI as well.
West clearly is a far more important piece of the Cavs' rotation than Kinsey. Two years in a row when the playoffs ended, West was looked upon as the only guy besides LeBron James to come up big in the toughest games.
He's a hard-nosed, tough, smart player. He's at times moody and quiet, at other times charming and funny. His arrest is emblematic: He had those weapons, and he was released on his own recognizance.
He has a trial date set for Nov. 20.
His father told the Washington Post that West was ''looking behind his back and protecting himself.''
Perhaps it's best at this point for the Cavs and West to take a step back and ensure that West looks not behind but at himself.
Start, as Michael Jackson once said, with the man in the mirror.
At the least, an extended and unspecified leave of absence seems in order. That would allow West to get himself back together and allow the Cavs to find out what was going on in his life.
If he can get his life together, or there is some plausible explanation for what happened (like a medication issue), he deserves one more chance.
If he can't, he's proved he probably should not make his living in the NBA. Or at least with the Cavs. If character matters, it has to matter with all.
Because no win is worth the risk West brought to himself, the team and society in general on that highway last Thursday.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 07:09 PM, 09/21/2009
send his as* back to the gettos!
Posted 07:40 PM, 09/21/2009
:-(
chicago, il
Posted 07:52 PM, 09/21/2009
@ father of two - Your name should be "Ignorant" father of two. First off, how do you know he came from the "getto". Mental illness is not to be taken lightly and you don’t know his mental state of mind so I think you should reframe from making an ignorant comment like that. And since you are a father of two, how do you know this won’t happen to one of your children, I wonder how your comment would read then!
Canton, OH
Posted 08:25 PM, 09/21/2009
Let's cut bait. . Let him go. . .
Akron, OH
Posted 09:18 PM, 09/21/2009
I am a neophyte when it comes to Delonte West and his apparent issues.
I don't know about his medical issues, but that man was pakin' heat.
Ultimately, I feel sorry for him. His family. And, we Cavalier fans.
I wonder how this will impact LBJ and his pending "decision".
:0(
akron, OH
Posted 09:44 PM, 09/21/2009
He was in the D.C. area? With only 3 weapons, he may have been at a disadvantage.
Posted 10:30 PM, 09/21/2009
It's very hard not to think that West would've been caught up in something like this sooner or later.
He has more visible tattoos than shoes in his closet, he's from inner city NY and grew up in a broken home, and he has an unstable mental health condition.
The writing was on the wall, it was just a matter of time for him to slip.
It's sad but hopefully he can find a way back to the game that has helped him survive this long. Without basketball, this guy would be a statistic years ago.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:21 AM, 09/22/2009
@A Different Tony Z,
You posted:
"He has more visible tattoos than shoes in his closet, he's from inner city NY and grew up in a broken home, and he has an unstable mental health condition."
I feel for you, brother, but, save the NYC thing, you just described the majority of the NBA, MLB and, most certainly, the NFL.
Professional sports, as a whole, in the US are all about the "Almighty $$$". Sadly, morality has no place in this world anymore; reference Wall Street and Washington D.C. also.
:0(
norka, OH
Posted 07:43 AM, 09/22/2009
So he was packin heat go ask anyone here in Akron that works in the rougher parts if they carry a weapon You Might Be Suprised!!!!!!PS Mental Health is not a fake issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 08:44 AM, 09/22/2009
This is the first i have heard of the situation , yes as a fan we all are aware of his personal issues -mainly because we make it our business to be in his business. But i think to condem him before a decision has been made in the court is wrong - as the article stated we dont know why he was carrying like he was -as a matter of fact we dont know anything - so to judge him at this point or any point - in just not fair . How can we say he poses a threat to anyone when we dont know any facts . I feel that this article was prejudice and negative and i dont agree with judging anyone based on half a story. We need to wait and see how this plays out before we judge someone !
Posted 08:52 AM, 09/22/2009
Hold on, he didn't use the guns...
He was on a motorcycle though. After K2 I'd wager motorcyle riding is probably a no no in his Cavs contract.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:54 AM, 09/22/2009
This is not good for the future St Louis franchise - when lebron leaves the cavs will not be far behind.
Posted 09:11 AM, 09/22/2009
Maybe he was heading to one of those townhall meetings.
Stow, OH
Posted 10:25 AM, 09/22/2009
As far as I have ever been able to tell, in his work life as an NBA player, Delonte West has conducted himself in a wholly proper manner. If that is so, his right to earn a living as a basketball player should not be affected by this non-work related incident. Taking away a person's livelihood for behavior away from work for behavior that is not related to work is not reasonable. That is especially so for a person whose work record is, I believe, flawless.
Posted 10:40 AM, 09/22/2009
KBADM,
Stupidest post I've ever read. So now not only is it certain that LeBron will leave the Cavs. But as a result the Cavs franchise will fold or leave Cleveland. What color is the sky in your world?
Posted 10:44 AM, 09/22/2009
I like Delonte WEst as a player. But being bipolar is all the more reason that he should NOT have guns on him. 1 gun is for self defense, 3 loaded guns mean you're either dealing them, a gangster, or just psychotic.
Posted 11:56 AM, 09/22/2009
It's the mayor's fault! Recall! Recall! Recall! Recall!
Posted 02:02 PM, 09/22/2009
I know if I was pulled over with 3 loaded guns I'd lose my job. Athletes are treated differently though.
ft worth, tx
Posted 02:04 PM, 09/22/2009
I'm so happy that many of you do not have your license to practice law in the U.S. To condemn someone athlete or not without all the facts involved is truly absurd. Furthermore, to tie this incident to prior personal troubles (mood disorder/bipolar) may be totally irrelevant when the truth comes out. If he had no malicious intent and no issues with depression or medications why are these issues being stated in these articles. I would somewhat understand IF he had committed some sort of harm/crime/uproar/ in his life due to his condition. Since that has not been the case in the past when things were rough, why should you pass judgment on him now. (New contract, great team, just married, new home does not sound like things that would push someone over the edge to me but unlike many others I see on here I do not profess to be a psychologist) Now to the gun charges I do agree that 3 loaded guns is a little excessive, but I will wait until ALL the facts come to light before commenting. If many of you haven't read this article it may be worth your time.
Delonte West Saga a Larger Issue of Guns in Sportsby Evans Clinchy on Sep 21, 2009 7:13:35 PM
Akron, Oh
Posted 02:11 PM, 09/22/2009
Lil Wayne is correct, his contract (as it does for all Cavs players) specifically restricts any use of motorcycles (2 wheel vs 3 wheel, which is what he was riding ) and/or dangerous activity without the clubs consent...
I like this kid as a player and if you actually listen to his interviews he is well spoken...having said that, I too could do without all the tats and such ghetto appearance (by him or any others-white or black) ...it might be time for some serious down time with an M.D. and if not, then we (the Cavs) should move on without...hopefully towards the NBA Championship !
akron, oh
Posted 03:41 PM, 09/22/2009
If West has mental problems, then it is up to the CAV's to get him some help. If West does not want the help, let him know his behavior will not be over looked. Next time he gets into trouble, fire him.
NorthernWestVirginny, WV
Posted 03:59 PM, 09/22/2009
Patrick, please DO NOT QUOTE or MENTION anything about Michael Jackson. Now, what was this cat doing with 3 loaded weapons??? I hope he is OK with his condition and all.
Shauna...no one mentioned anything about condems. Delonte had 3 loaded guns but no condems.
Posted 03:59 PM, 09/22/2009
Apprasit, don't call me Lil Wayne.
Canton, OH
Posted 04:03 PM, 09/22/2009
Cleve4life - i haven't read the other article and i do agree that often we jump to conclusions without all the facts. However anyone who has 3 firearms on him and cuts off a police officer is guilty of something - and any pro sports player that does it is going to get media attention. if nothing else he is guilty of stupidity.
maybe he was like Marco and forgot he had them? he thought he really had a guitar in his case?
akron, oh
Posted 04:07 PM, 09/22/2009
@akronite forever :#1 was having very bad day yesterday--no excuse--so there for i apoligize for my comment #two leave my dam kids out of it. my kids have nothing to do with what i post!
akron, oh
Posted 04:32 PM, 09/22/2009
it probably would be alright with akronite forever if he would have crashed the cruiser he cut off and killed the police officer who probably has a wife and kids but that would be alright because he has mental illness and he would get away with it.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:46 PM, 09/22/2009
They're not going to get rid of him. Anyone who says otherwise has no idea what they're talking about. End of story.
This story is overblown. I thought this area was pretty liberal (not in the political sense) about gun ownership? He didn't commit a crime other than possession, so I'm not that worried. I'll save the hysterics for others here.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:47 PM, 09/22/2009
"if nothing else he is guilty of stupidity."
I'll agree with that.
kento, oh
Posted 06:17 PM, 09/22/2009
I don't know..according to the Washingpost "Police charged West with two criminal counts of carrying a handgun for the Ruger and the Beretta, and issued him a traffic citation for driving "in excess of reasonable and prudent speed," court records show. Ellis said West was within his rights to carry the shotgun. " it doesn't say unsafe lane change or such things as would be the case had he really cut the police off...Police can use something like that as an excuse to pull someone over just to see what sort of guitar he was carrying..It doesn't even say he was speeding, just in 'excess of prudent speed' whatever that means. I wish their police cruiser camera was on so we could see for ourselves this unsafe lane change of cutting the officer off...Not that it would excuse him for having 3 loaded weapons on him, though he needed no excuse for the loaded shotgun, apparently that is legal.
akron, oh
Posted 06:19 PM, 09/22/2009
i got nothing against the guy he is a great basketball player but what gets me is with all the money he makes he has access to the very best medications.again i apoligize for my comments but not to the ignorant ahole in chicago!
kento, oh
Posted 06:28 PM, 09/22/2009
fatheroftwo... even with the best doctors sometimes medicine for being bipolar works better for some than for others...when getting off/on a new medication it isn't something that the day you start using that medicine you are cured of being bipolar. sometimes even the latest and greatest medicine for bipolar may not be the right one for every patient... we also don't know why he had those guns aside from as his dad said 'he was looking over his shoulder'... there is a very good article as to why many pro athletes, inlcuding shaq, carry weapons.. http://www.nesn.com/2009/09/delonte-west-saga-a-larger-issue-of-guns-in-sports.html Even if the weapons were properly registered in his name, it does not excuse him for the manner in which he was transporting them, as that was illegal, but as no one was hurt and his charges are only misdemeanors...imo, pending his day in court, it seems a few games suspension..Of course something like this can't happen again with him, it can't be habitual...
Paradise, Oh
Posted 06:56 PM, 09/22/2009
Please fellow Americans....you must remember that this gentleman is a professional "gangsta."
He MUST be allowed to maintain his bona fides.
Be kind....all of you.
Richfield, OH
Posted 07:47 PM, 09/22/2009
They will do nothing with West because they want him on the team. He will get his punishment and then talk to kids about the problems with guns as community service.
Atlanta, Ga
Posted 08:33 PM, 09/22/2009
Father of two now why would he want to go to your HOUSE your person attacks are unfounded .
Ask yourself Why you made that comment contact ww.mentalhealthhelp. for you and your boys before it to late.
akron, oh
Posted 08:34 PM, 09/22/2009
This is a non-issue.
NorthernWestVirginny, WV
Posted 05:36 AM, 09/23/2009
They should hire Delonte on the side (a part time job) to hang out at the Church's chicken that just got robbed.
Barberton, OH
Posted 06:13 AM, 09/23/2009
I'm not worried about the guns. Or the tattoos. I'm worried about the children and their modern-day heroes, in general.
:(
everywhere, oh
Posted 07:47 AM, 09/23/2009
Bipolar, Depression, carrying 3 loaded guns?.....The officer may have saved his life. If he is concerned about his back, maybe he should be in an armored vehicle instead of out in the open on a motorcycle.
ravenna, ohio
Posted 07:59 AM, 09/23/2009
Bi-polar = lame excuse for not taking personal responsibility.
A hood near you, OH
Posted 08:13 AM, 09/23/2009
"What should the Cav's do with West ?"
Given the size of his arsenal, I'd say, don't make him mad.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:25 AM, 09/23/2009
Apoligies to Wayne...can't say I've ever heard the music...just have heard the name mentioned by the youngsters in relation to B-Ball & hip hop...
...having known several friends who have dealt with bi-polar issues , the deep end is always close and it scares them as well...my best to Delonte, but he should never be allowed near weapons ....hope the Cavs support and keep him ...I think he is worth the effort !
akron, oh
Posted 09:19 AM, 09/23/2009
People should really wait until the story unfolds before making accusations and sweeping generalization. What if he was going to a shooting range?; or, a friend's house with a hundred acres?
He made a bad decision, sure. But pump the brakes and wait to hear the explanation before you condemn the man as crazy.
In fact, in my opinon, the G D KFC rap video does more to tarnish his image than this. At least in the video it was obvious what was going on.
Peace and chicken grease.
CuyahogaFalls, oh
Posted 10:59 AM, 09/23/2009
He picked the wrong city to cary any type of weapon. D.C. has the strickest gun laws of any place in the country. Being a member of the NRA I read a lot of articles in American Rifleman on the B.S. from Washington D.C. They don't want anyone to have any guns except the cops and the feds. I wouldn't live there if someone paid me. Good luck to Delonte!!
Canton, OH
Posted 11:14 AM, 09/23/2009
Former Giants reciever Plaxio Burress is doing 2 years in Rikers for having a gun in a NYC bar. Before we talk about what the Cavs are going to do with West we may want to wait and see what the law does with West.
Canton, OH
Posted 11:15 AM, 09/23/2009
Voltman, Delonte was busted in Maryland not DC
Canton, OH
Posted 11:22 AM, 09/23/2009
Most people on their way to a shooting range or a buddy's farm to do some target shooting would wait until they got there to load the guns. Having a loaded gun in your vehicle and transporting an unloaded gun makes all the difference.
bath, oh
Posted 11:23 AM, 09/23/2009
Let us give him a chance to get back with his team and leadership, he has no problems when he is with his team mates. He has an illness and he is in treatment.
LeBron has tattoos and he is a nice intelligent young man,also many of our servicemen and women have tattoos and they are all heros.Lets not be so quick to judge anyone.
Please be kind with your remarks mental illness can happen to anyone and there is no magic or quick fixer upper. Let the doctors help him and let his team nuture him and he will be a great player still.
Canton, OH
Posted 11:50 AM, 09/23/2009
The Truth Hurts - that was the best post here!!!! thanks for the laugh!
Leesburg, Fl
Posted 11:52 AM, 09/23/2009
More bad behavior from over-paid, over-rated and over-indulged pro athletes. And they're supposed to be "role models". For whom..the "Tony Montana" wannabes?
akron, oh
Posted 12:36 PM, 09/23/2009
@7sign go back to your meth and dont post no more.
Hudson, Oh
Posted 03:12 PM, 09/23/2009
ggreen1794-
I believe the difference between this case and the Burress case is that Burress discharged his gun (shooting himself) in a nightclub.
Canton, OH
Posted 04:33 PM, 09/23/2009
Burress was given jail time for acting out a bad cliche.
akron, oh
Posted 06:08 PM, 09/23/2009
@aliveinkent thank you.
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:16 AM, 09/24/2009
So let me get this straight. He has a mental disability AND likes to run around with more guns on his person than your average police cruiser occupied by two officers?............
Well heck lets give him the keys to the city AND millions of dollars.....
I mean come on folks...whats more important? A safe society or a winning season for the Cavs?
