CLEVELAND: Dallas Mavericks guard Delonte West took a trip down memory lane as he walked through the bowels of Quicken Loans Arena for the first time since he left the Cavaliers.
For West, the experience was nostalgic.
“I remember everyone by name from the ball boys to the security guards and even the fans,” West said. “I wouldn’t even consider them fans. They’re more like friends. We all were in this together. It just speaks on this organization as a whole to see those same people sitting in the same seats there supporting and still rooting their team on.”
West played for the Cavaliers for two-plus seasons before they traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010 as part of a deal that brought Ramon Sessions and Ryan Hollins to Cleveland. He spent last season with the Boston Celtics, but he didn’t travel to Cleveland because he was sidelined with an injured wrist.
West’s gritty style was popular among Cavs fans, as evidenced by the loud ovation he received Saturday night during pregame introductions. Heading into this weekend, he was averaging 8.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Mavericks.
“I’m sure it’s special,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said of West’s reunion with the Cavs. “He was in a lot of postseasons here … and he’s been a terrific player in this league in the big moments.”
But West also went through some troubled times while he was with the Cavs. His struggle with bipolar disorder and a run-in with the law are well-documented. He didn’t speak with local media during the 2009-10 season, his last as a member of the organization.
West, though, has regularly interacted with reporters this season as he did Saturday night. He said he isn’t bitter about the way his stint with the Cavs ended.
“Everything’s gotta take its course,” West said. “It’s called out with the old and in with the new, and that’s all right. They’ve got a great group of young guys here mixed in with some guys that [are] familiar with the coaching staff and the ownership. This organization will be back in a few years contending for a championship.”
Injury report
Cavs guard Daniel Gibson missed his fourth consecutive game with a soft tissue infection in his neck. Cavs coach Byron Scott said team doctors were going to re-evaluate Gibson on Saturday night.
“I know he wants to work out and get out there and shoot and run around,” Scott said. “I think they’re hoping that it just doesn’t flare up.”
Meanwhile, guard Anthony Parker (back) sat out for the third game in a row, and rookie forward Tristan Thompson (sprained left ankle) missed his second consecutive game.
“Hopefully we get a couple of them to practice Monday and go from there,” Scott said.
With Gibson and Parker out, undrafted rookie Mychel Thompson made his third start in as many games.
For the Mavericks, guard Jason Kidd (strained right calf) missed his fifth game in a row.
Too many minutes
Injuries have forced rookie guard Kyrie Irving to play much more than Scott would consider ideal. Scott wants Irving to log between 31-33 minutes per game, but Irving played about 40 minutes Friday against the Orlando Magic.
“I don’t want him playing 40 minutes, not right now,” Scott said. “He’s young enough to, but I don’t want to burn him out.”
Substitute announcer
Cavs public-address announcer Olivier Sedra was wheeled away from the locker-room area on a stretcher about an hour before tip-off Saturday and taken to the Cleveland Clinic for medical reasons. Carl Manteau assumed Sedra’s usual duties.
Super Bowl pick
Scott turned in his prediction for the Super Bowl: New York Giants 27, New England Patriots 21.
“I don’t like anything in Boston — Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots,” Scott said. “Gotta go with the other team.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.
