What type of issues was Delonte having in Boston?

[Roy H.]

From Danny, after the signing:

Even though we knew the issues and the challenges he needed to take care of, we also think Delonte is in a better place today, than he was the day he left. He wasn't perfect, but we still liked the player

Delonte's had some challenges off the court and I feel that right now that some of those challenges have given him some pretty serious wake-up calls. I think he's actually in a better place today than when he left us a few years ago.

I assume that Ainge is talking about Delonte's Bi-polar disorder, which he struggled with in Cleveland.  I thought the "he's in a better place today" quote was pretty interesting, because it makes it sound like Delonte was going through some serious stuff in Boston.

The thing I find most interesting, probably, is that the Celtics are able to keep a lot of this stuff hushed up, even with local media that is fairly ravenous.  After the fact, we've heard some stuff about guys in Doc's locker room (Ricky, some vague stuff about Starbury, now Delonte), but while they've been here, none of the guys were portrayed as anything other than model citizens.  (One wonders if the media cuts Doc a break due to his broadcasting ties and his nice guy demeanor).

Does the fact that Delonte was going through some issues here bode well for the recent Delonte signing?  I would think it does, because it shows that the team was able to handle Delonte well previously, without it turning into a distraction.

[footey]

From Danny, after the signing:

Even though we knew the issues and the challenges he needed to take care of, we also think Delonte is in a better place today, than he was the day he left. He wasn't perfect, but we still liked the player

Delonte's had some challenges off the court and I feel that right now that some of those challenges have given him some pretty serious wake-up calls. I think he's actually in a better place today than when he left us a few years ago.

I assume that Ainge is talking about Delonte's Bi-polar disorder, which he struggled with in Cleveland.  I thought the "he's in a better place today" quote was pretty interesting, because it makes it sound like Delonte was going through some serious stuff in Boston.

The thing I find most interesting, probably, is that the Celtics are able to keep a lot of this stuff hushed up, even with local media that is fairly ravenous.  After the fact, we've heard some stuff about guys in Doc's locker room (Ricky, some vague stuff about Starbury, now Delonte), but while they've been here, none of the guys were portrayed as anything other than model citizens.  (One wonders if the media cuts Doc a break due to his broadcasting ties and his nice guy demeanor).

Does the fact that Delonte was going through some issues here bode well for the recent Delonte signing?  I would think it does, because it shows that the team was able to handle Delonte well previously, without it turning into a distraction.

Not sure how that quote implies Delonte was manifesting any such issues while in Boston. We all could see he was flaky, but, seemingly, in a playful way.  I wonder when he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder.  Possible not until after he left Boston?

[Roy H.]

Not sure how that quote implies Delonte was manifesting any such issues while in Boston. We all could see he was flaky, but, seemingly, in a playful way.  I wonder when he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder.  Possible not until after he left Boston?

You're not?

Delonte's had some challenges off the court and I feel that right now that some of those challenges have given him some pretty serious wake-up calls. I think he's actually in a better place today than when he left us a few years ago.

Danny is saying that Delonte is in a better place with his "issues" now than he was when he left Boston.  Keep in mind, that's after Delonte walked away from his team in Cleveland, and got busted riding around like the Road Warrior.  Danny is saying Delonte, now, has more of a grasp on things than he did in Boston.  That doesn't imply to you that Delonte had some stuff going on while here?

[the_Bird]

My impression based on Danny's quote was that he was kind of spiraling downhill.  Don't think he was necessarily having issues WORSE that the Road Warrior stuff. 

But, it's all pure speculation.  There didn't seem to be any on-court issues.  Didn't hear about Delonte disappearing, or not showing up for games or practices.  Didn't hear any vague remarks coming from his teammates or coaches. 

[thirstyboots18]

I have been told, and in my experience, when people first manifest emotional symptoms, it is very difficult to make a diagnosis.  So he may have had symptoms, but may not have even sought help or had a diagnosis when he was in Boston.  The problem may have worsened when he was in Cleveland.  At any rate I am glad he is getting treatment and seems to be responding to it now.

[footey]

Not sure how that quote implies Delonte was manifesting any such issues while in Boston. We all could see he was flaky, but, seemingly, in a playful way.  I wonder when he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder.  Possible not until after he left Boston?

You're not?

Delonte's had some challenges off the court and I feel that right now that some of those challenges have given him some pretty serious wake-up calls. I think he's actually in a better place today than when he left us a few years ago.

Danny is saying that Delonte is in a better place with his "issues" now than he was when he left Boston.  Keep in mind, that's after Delonte walked away from his team in Cleveland, and got busted riding around like the Road Warrior.  Danny is saying Delonte, now, has more of a grasp on things than he did in Boston.  That doesn't imply to you that Delonte had some stuff going on while here?

I see what you are saying. But that could be a hind-sight type of observation by Danny.  Maybe Danny found out only recently that Delonte was dealing with psychological issues while in Boston (perhaps in his recent talk with him, or in talking with other coaches). Who knows. Likelihood pretty high that he had problems while here, only didn't manifest themselves in any destructive way until his Cleveland time. In any event, I hope that Danny is correct that he is in a better place.  Delonte's dilemma may be his willingness to stay on the medications. As someone familiar with bi-polar disorder through a prior relationship, at the risk of generalizing, the more widely used medications (e.g. lithium) tend to leave the patient rather lethargic.  Lethargy can be detrimental in playing basketball at the NBA level.  Which may make "getting off the meds" tempting to someone like Delonte. Pure speculation on my part.

[StartOrien]

I'll look for the article, but there was the instance with a girlfriend/fiancee at the time that ended up with her trying to cut herself.


EDIT: The article from the Herald is no longer available, but the real gm summary is:

Delonte West's live-in girlfriend allegedly choked and bit him and tried to slash her own wrists with shards of glass because he ended the relationship with her.

West’s girlfriend, Caryn Taylor, skipped court on Wednesday where she was supposed to have been arraigned on domestic assault and battery charges for the Dec. 21, 2006, alleged attack in the couple’s Waltham apartment. A warrant for her arrest was issued, authorities said.

It was a scary story at the time, and knowing how bad he can be you wonder how much more to the story there is/was.

[footey]

I'll look for the article, but there was the instance with a girlfriend/fiancee at the time that ended up with her trying to cut herself.


EDIT: The article from the Herald is no longer available, but the real gm summary is:

Delonte West's live-in girlfriend allegedly choked and bit him and tried to slash her own wrists with shards of glass because he ended the relationship with her.

West’s girlfriend, Caryn Taylor, skipped court on Wednesday where she was supposed to have been arraigned on domestic assault and battery charges for the Dec. 21, 2006, alleged attack in the couple’s Waltham apartment. A warrant for her arrest was issued, authorities said.

It was a scary story at the time, and knowing how bad he can be you wonder how much more to the story there is/was.

Had forgotten about this. thx.

[ACF]

I'll look for the article, but there was the instance with a girlfriend/fiancee at the time that ended up with her trying to cut herself.


EDIT: The article from the Herald is no longer available, but the real gm summary is:

Delonte West's live-in girlfriend allegedly choked and bit him and tried to slash her own wrists with shards of glass because he ended the relationship with her.

West’s girlfriend, Caryn Taylor, skipped court on Wednesday where she was supposed to have been arraigned on domestic assault and battery charges for the Dec. 21, 2006, alleged attack in the couple’s Waltham apartment. A warrant for her arrest was issued, authorities said.

It was a scary story at the time, and knowing how bad he can be you wonder how much more to the story there is/was.

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn."
-Shakespeare

[the_Bird]

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn."
-Shakespeare

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned for Sega."
-Brodie

[ACF]

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn."
-Shakespeare

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned for Sega."
-Brodie

LOL. That's worth one of them Tommy Points.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Not enough target practice......shooting..off at the mouth, Mass gun laws unfriendly to wanna be gangsters...? (Or Regular gangsters...!), Maybe he couldn't get his SHOT off here...! Funny though, we get rid of TA (gangbanger rep) and get West, found with lots of extra guns...!

[GreenFaith1819]

Interesting Article, indeed. If he was having issues here back in the day, it sure didn't seem as bad.

I even saw a recent episode of Pardon the Interruption concerning us re-signing DWest, where Tony Kornheiser compared Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge to Father Flanagan, lol....

In any event, he's in a stable organization and environment, IMO, and I'm glad he's back. And I know he'll continue to fight his demons.

[More Banners]

I remember reading somewhere that Wyc flipped over the Telfair gun incident.  I guess he's now okay with gun play, or did Danny convince him that we really do need all of the shooters we can get?

Seriously, things things aren't cured, and the problems don't get solved.  Sometimes, though, they can be managed and people can become better at recognizing when something needs to happen to manage them.  Also, as people age, other factors that confound the ability to manage the symptoms (like hormones, impusiveness, etc.) come under better control, allowing better management of the mental health issue.

Equally seriously, isn't Boston a "better place" in the KG/Ray era than it was when Delonte was here the first time?

[BballTim]

Not sure how that quote implies Delonte was manifesting any such issues while in Boston. We all could see he was flaky, but, seemingly, in a playful way.  I wonder when he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder.  Possible not until after he left Boston?

You're not?

Delonte's had some challenges off the court and I feel that right now that some of those challenges have given him some pretty serious wake-up calls. I think he's actually in a better place today than when he left us a few years ago.

Danny is saying that Delonte is in a better place with his "issues" now than he was when he left Boston.  Keep in mind, that's after Delonte walked away from his team in Cleveland, and got busted riding around like the Road Warrior.  Danny is saying Delonte, now, has more of a grasp on things than he did in Boston.  That doesn't imply to you that Delonte had some stuff going on while here?

  You have to consider that Delonte must be in a better place now than he was when he pulled the "Road Warrior".