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Do IT this week: Layering
Cavaliers teammates say they will welcome guard when he returns
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Oct 01, 2009
INDEPENDENCE: Day Two in the will-he-or-will-he-not-show-up-at-practice saga of Delonte West came Wednesday and the Cavaliers sounded unfazed by West's absence.
West surprised everyone Tuesday by not showing up for the first practice after appearing Monday at the team's Media Day in seemingly good spirits.
The enigmatic and troubled guard faced the media a little more than a week after being arrested on gun charges in Maryland.
Although it's easy to paint West as a player who's aloof and perhaps selfish, his teammates said that's not the case.
''Basketball has nothing to do with what's going on, so he needs to take as much time as he needs, and when he comes back, we're going to welcome him the way we've always done,'' LeBron James said. ''When he gets back, it's going to be as if he was always here.''
West has dealt with depression and bipolar disorder for years, a fact that came to light in 2008 when he disappeared from training camp for 12 days, so this is nothing new for the Cavs.
''We've been around this block before with Delonte, so we know how to handle it,'' James said.
Point guard Mo Williams said that the basketball court is West's respite from his reality, a place where he finds solace. For that reason, they remain patient.
''Outside of basketball, he struggles with things,'' Williams said.
Neither Williams nor James has had any personal contact with West, but they said they're sure he's going to be fine.
''I'm not worried about him,'' Williams said. ''I would worry about someone who doesn't have a supporting cast around him that really cares and is really not trying to help him. He's in a situation that he's getting professional help from everywhere.''
Both said that the current situation is no distraction for the team, saying that he has their full support. But the reality of this particular situation is that while West sorts his issues out, time moves on and so does the team.
For now, Cavs coach Mike Brown said his team will concentrate on maintaining a bunker mentality so that no outside noise creeps in.
There's no sense of panic because the team signed Anthony Parker, a shooting guard from the Toronto Raptors, during the offseason. At some point, if things go too far, the organization will have to make a decision regarding West's future in a Cavs uniform.
Different perspective
According to recent reports, the NBA's locked-out referees have shot down a two-year offer to go back to work. Because of that, it's looking more likely that the season will begin with replacement officials. Williams said that he would rather the usual suspects be blowing the whistle, but was realistic.
''It's good that it's not stopping the game of basketball,'' he said. ''You're just giving guys an opportunity. You might find a diamond in the rough. You might find some good refs come in and, hopefully, they are good. We just got to go with what's going on.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
INDEPENDENCE: Day Two in the will-he-or-will-he-not-show-up-at-practice saga of Delonte West came Wednesday and the Cavaliers sounded unfazed by West's absence.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, , OH
Posted 08:16 AM, 10/01/2009
Goodbye gangster---
Million dollar payday and carrying weapons??? Now the mouthpiece is going to blame it on someone or something else.
Cut the dumb S**t
He's a liability and the team (owner) would be a fool to keep him!!
This is an opinion just like Ohio States on Clarrett
akron, oh
Posted 10:50 AM, 10/01/2009
I would bet that West is simply having his medicine adjusted AND having to adjust to that adjustment...Seriously...Now, what the team should do...idunno.
Green, Ohio
Posted 10:57 AM, 10/01/2009
He is busy right now cleaning his guns.
If he is bi-polar and can't perform, then get rid of him. He makes millions of dollars and if any of you think you wouldn't be fired for not performing to your required duties, think again.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:28 AM, 10/01/2009
The Tribe,
The Clowns,
and this.
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:15 PM, 10/01/2009
Such heartless responses from a usually liberal crowd. At least he didn't eat goldfish!!!
Canton, OH
Posted 12:41 PM, 10/01/2009
I hope someone knows his whereabouts. Bi-polar and depression - plus a small arsenal - he could be a danger to others - or more likely himself.
Green, Ohio
Posted 12:48 PM, 10/01/2009
If he just smoked a little weed like most of the NBA does, he would feel much better.
