Delonte Wests "#1 goal is to be back with boston"

[cman88]

http://www.nesn.com/2011/07/despite-a-10-game-suspension-to-begin-the-season-and-a-reported-tussle-with-teammate-von-wafer-the-celtics-showed-their-fait.html

this is good news. Delonte when healthy can be a game changer as we saw in the miami series where he averaged 10pts a game...and it leaves one less hole to fill

then, all we need is a 5 to clog up the middle/grab rebounds (Kwame brown maybe?) and I think our bench is looking pretty good

[pearljammer10]

bummer. worst news ive heard in a while.

[LooseCannon]

Delonte when healthy

I think a lot of people around here tend to be too optimistic about the health of Delonte West, as if all his injuries are flukes and next season is going to be the year he stays healthy.  While I would be in favor of bringing him back, I don't think it is a slam dunk proposal that he should return. 

I have more faith in Moore and Bradley being able to function as temporary backup shooting guards than as temporary backup point guards in the event of a West injury, so I think it would be wise to look for a minimum-salary veteran point guard behind West.

[Edgar]

Delonte West is a player
and i will love him always in this team.
Welcome whenever situation allows

[GreenEnvy]

Delonte when healthy

I think a lot of people around here tend to be too optimistic about the health of Delonte West, as if all his injuries are flukes and next season is going to be the year he stays healthy.  While I would be in favor of bringing him back, I don't think it is a slam dunk proposal that he should return. 

I have more faith in Moore and Bradley being able to function as temporary backup shooting guards than as temporary backup point guards in the event of a West injury, so I think it would be wise to look for a minimum-salary veteran point guard behind West.

They may not be "fluke" per se, but I see no chronic injuries that would make you shy away from him like you would an Oden, Roy, Bynum, etc.

Granted, he hurts himself with his aggressive style of play, but it really all could be bad luck.

To be honest, I'd be more concerned with Rondo. There are always reports/rumors that he is run down, beat up, or fatigued. And regardless of the nature of the accident, he did break his arm in the Playoffs, which effectively ended our chances last season. He missed more time from injury last season than the Big Three combined.


I really hope we get Delonte back for the minimum, as he is a really solid all-around player. I was impressed with his midrange jumper this year, especially off the dribble. Can knock down the three and penetrate (*insert LeBron's mom joke here*). Finds the open man. And plays great/excellent defense to boot. I'd be very comfortable we him at the 1 or 2 if Rondo/Ray had to miss a few games.

He is definitely worth the risk.

[LooseCannon]

They may not be "fluke" per se, but I see no chronic injuries that would make you shy away from him like you would an Oden, Roy, Bynum, etc.

I think it's more like the all-around brittleness that cause some people to be concerned about players like Marquis Daniels (before his most recent neck injury).  You know he's very likely to miss a quarter of the season even if you can't guess why.  Wrist, ankle, back, knee....something's going to give.

Concern about Rondo is one reason why I think the Celtics should consider an experienced back-up point guard who is more durable than Delonte West, whether or not Delonte comes back.  It's really silly to take the attitude that Rondo is young and can play stretches of 40+ mpg.

[Junkyard Dawg]

I think a lot of people around here tend to be too optimistic about the health of Delonte West, as if all his injuries are flukes and next season is going to be the year he stays healthy.  While I would be in favor of bringing him back, I don't think it is a slam dunk proposal that he should return.

I concur.  I like Delonte a lot and it'll be great if he comes back but I don't really get how a guy like this can get the praise and unbridled support he gets on this board, and a guy like BBD is just thrown to the dogs... if BBD fought with his teammate early and missed as many games as Delonte last season, people would be calling for his head.

[cman88]

I think a lot of people around here tend to be too optimistic about the health of Delonte West, as if all his injuries are flukes and next season is going to be the year he stays healthy.  While I would be in favor of bringing him back, I don't think it is a slam dunk proposal that he should return.

I concur.  I like Delonte a lot and it'll be great if he comes back but I don't really get how a guy like this can get the praise and unbridled support he gets on

this board, and a guy like BBD is just thrown to the dogs... if BBD fought with his teammate early and missed as many games as Delonte last season, people would be calling for his head

Maybe bexause delonte was effective for us in the playoffs...heaveraged 10pts a game in themiami series and played within the. System rather than looking for his shot and laying a big egg

Delontes never missed as much time as he did last year. We had really bad luck healthwise. Where else arewe gonna find that talent for such a value?  Now we should get another backup sg-pg in the event he gets injured. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing arroyo back

[get_banners]

He's injury-prone...no getting around that. It's largely because of how he plays. Doc said as much his rookie year - Delonte would get injured often because of his style. Everybody in the league knows this. As such, nobody's going to throw a lot of money at him. So...basically, this is fine. We'll probably resign him on a reasonable deal.

[Jon]

This is good news.  And with Bradley (and potentially Wafer), we can afford to have him miss some games during the regular season.  

If he is back, it really makes Ainge's job easier, as West and Green (in a perfect, healthy world) can cover all the backup minutes at the 1-4 positions, freeing up Ainge to sink whatever exceptions he may have (depending on the new CBA) into the 5 spot.  

[Bankshot]

bummer. worst news ive heard in a while.

I wouldn't say this is the worst news, but I certainly don't care if he doesn't come back.  I would like the C's to pick up someone better and more reliable.  Delonte is not really that good.

[TheTruthFot18]

Delonte has always been a fan favorite around here so he always has a place on this roster as far as i see. As for the injuries, off court issues etc. he is still a bargain for what he brings to a team. considering he made peanuts this past season. his only problem is passing, he made some reallyyyy questionable passes that just blew my mind. but other then that, he shouldn't leave Boston.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Does everyone agree that the playoffs are what matter? If so, how can anyone speak on him being injured b/c he was ready when it mattered! Find me someone who goes harder and will do anything (guy wanted to play when he first broke his wrist, he said he only needed the one) to help his team win... we are talking about a guy who would play if it was only with a sock! Also, who are you really going to find that is better and as cheap? I'll wait...


You guys undervalue what Delonte gives when healthy and it's not like he is always injured and can't play either!

[LooseCannon]

Does everyone agree that the playoffs are what matter? If so, how can anyone speak on him being injured b/c he was ready when it mattered!

Maybe a healthy Delonte West solidifies the bench and makes Ainge less likely to pull the trigger on the Perkins trade. 

West is a borderline starter when healthy, but if you think one thing that the Celtics need is a stable set of reserves, then, arguably, the team should be open to other options and at least needs to consider who to sign as insurance for when Delonte gets injured again.

[cman88]

we should definitely sign some insurance to drive down delonte/rondo's minutes...more 3 point shooters

but for the price, Delonte is a steal for the price as a backup, and can be an impact player...which is what we need when putting together the playoff rotation