Delonte West expresses his dire interest in coming back to NBA

[Smartacus]

i fail to see how we could even think about having this discussion on west without first dealing with the source of his problem - his bipolar disorder. to simply bring in west's side and his view, as was done above, leaves out key points that are crucial to this discussion.

on the gun arrest, west wasn't just carrying "a gun." he had, to quote the policeman who arrested west:

"a Prince George's County police spokesman, said West was carrying a Beretta 9mm handgun, a Ruger .357 magnum handgun, and a Remington 870 shotgun. "

to frame west's situation as carrying a gun as a form of "protection" is misleading since he had a mini-arsenal. such a discussion on protection also misses the point of what being bipolar can do to some people when they stop taking their medications and therapy. many of them become subject to delusions or illusions.

i am not a medical doctor, but i have read enough about west to know there is more to the story than his version given above.

west has a long, documented record of mental disorders. disorders that require vigilant and continuing monitoring, medication, and therapy...for life. i know people with similar conditions, this is a life of hell for some people.

what is key here is that west has a pattern of NOT following through, which is not unusual for many such sufferers.

at the risk of piling on poor delonte, whom i liked as a celtic, this behavior is not only about "DUIs, gun charges, this and that"...it is very much about his failure to keep up his medical regime. that is, bad choices that have harmed him and those around him.

how bad? "West has made more than $14 million in his career, but during the lockout he sold off his cars, jewelry, and was living in the Mavericks locker room for a while...."

the man has not yet demonstrated that he is in consistent control of his terrible condition. i sincerely hope he does what is correct and gets back into the nba.

but the opening of this thread would be well served to consider more fully the sources of west's problems and his history of actions. then a more interesting conversation can begin.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/21/delonte-west-explains-the-night-of-his-arrest/
Only mentioning the guns is taking the story just as out of context as Delonte did...

Delonte was awoken from a Seroquil enduced sleep toget those guns and his buddies to a different location. I always wondered how he got away with the shotgun in the guitar case but the truth is that he was more guilty of operatiing heavy machinery under the influence than using his weapons to be a menace to society.

I'm all for Delonte getting another shot but honestly he should probably go overseas for a season or two. If he plays as well as he's implying than maybe there could be another contract in his future.

[Kiorrik]

I'd love Delonte on the team. However, we seem stacked at that position, which is pretty much "end of story" if you ask me. Perhaps if Pressey doesn't pan out?

[Q_FBE]

The Sacremento Kings or the Phoenix Suns might be looking for a fourth string combo guard.

We got Kieth Bogans and Marshon Brooks, I don't see the need for Delonte West.

[Celtics4ever]

No thanks.

[slamtheking]

I like Delonte because he was originally a Celtic and he loved being one but IMHO he's one of the most overrated players we had in the past 8-9 years.  He's an ok shooter, ok defender and an ok ballhandler. 

he wasn't the great offensive player that many claim he was nor was he the lockdown defender others claim he was.

he's at best, a 4th guard in a rotation at this point and I don't know why anyone would sign a 4th-guard with West's past headaches.  There's a lot of players out there of his caliber without the headaches.

[beklog]

How many guards do we have??... no room for DWest on us.. maybe he may want to joing Artest and JR Smith in NY

[GranTur]

Since we have Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace in our team, who both LOOKS like locker room problems (or off-court adversities), I don't see why we shouldn't give Delonte West another chance! 

Whoa whoa whoa whoa...that's so unfair. Gerald Wallace is one of the most respected members of the NBA community, and Kris didn't do anything but get married. He is known for great practice habits and a self-sacrifice in the NBA. Show  me where they caused locker room problems.

If anything, the Nets disrespected Gerald Wallace with how he was used. I kept up with them last year and they were a mess coaching and system-wise. They had no continuity all year.

[gpap]

I would love him back as the main backup point guard.

Exactly! That's why I would've loved to have him back.

Everyone is referring to all the guards we already have, but Rondo is our only true point guard and I don't know a thing about this Pressey guy.

[gpap]

Since we have Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace in our team, who both LOOKS like locker room problems (or off-court adversities), I don't see why we shouldn't give Delonte West another chance! 

Whoa whoa whoa whoa...that's so unfair. Gerald Wallace is one of the most respected members of the NBA community, and Kris didn't do anything but get married. He is known for great practice habits and a self-sacrifice in the NBA. Show  me where they caused locker room problems.

If anything, the Nets disrespected Gerald Wallace with how he was used. I kept up with them last year and they were a mess coaching and system-wise. They had no continuity all year.

Yup. I've never heard a thing about Wallace or Hump being a "locker room problem."

[celtsrp33]

I would LOVE to get Delonte back in here.  He is 30 now and could be a very valuable asset to this team now and in 3 years when we are a contender again.  His work ethic, hustle and focus on the court are second to none.  People make it out like he is a bad locker room guy - but the fact is that he was loved as a teammate here in Boston.  BRING BACK REDZ!

Yes, the Celtics need someone to take those fifth-string shooting guard minutes away from Keith Bogans.

Delonte West would walk onto this team and be the 2nd best guard immediately.  He is a better overall player than Avery Bradley, Courney Lee, Keith Bogans, Marson Brooks. 

[BudweiserCeltic]

I have no interest in him. Injury prone and inconsistent, and well his mind is not all there this days sadly. Not worth the trouble, and will not add much, if anything, to our roster.

[Eja117]

I would LOVE to get Delonte back in here.  He is 30 now and could be a very valuable asset to this team now and in 3 years when we are a contender again.  His work ethic, hustle and focus on the court are second to none.  People make it out like he is a bad locker room guy - but the fact is that he was loved as a teammate here in Boston.  BRING BACK REDZ!

Yes, the Celtics need someone to take those fifth-string shooting guard minutes away from Keith Bogans.

Delonte West would walk onto this team and be the 2nd best guard immediately.  He is a better overall player than Avery Bradley, Courney Lee, Keith Bogans, Marson Brooks.

I would think if that were true he wouldn't have such a hard time getting a job in the NBA. It's a pretty forgiving league

[tarheelsxxiii]

I would LOVE to get Delonte back in here.  He is 30 now and could be a very valuable asset to this team now and in 3 years when we are a contender again.  His work ethic, hustle and focus on the court are second to none.  People make it out like he is a bad locker room guy - but the fact is that he was loved as a teammate here in Boston.  BRING BACK REDZ!

Yes, the Celtics need someone to take those fifth-string shooting guard minutes away from Keith Bogans.

Delonte West would walk onto this team and be the 2nd best guard immediately.  He is a better overall player than Avery Bradley, Courney Lee, Keith Bogans, Marson Brooks.

Easily 2nd best guard. Always loved his game - got it done on both ends and didn't shy away from big moments. Being injury-prone has been his main problem. If we could pick him up on a deal similar to what the Nuggets just gave Nate, I'd jump on it.

[celtsrp33]

I would LOVE to get Delonte back in here.  He is 30 now and could be a very valuable asset to this team now and in 3 years when we are a contender again.  His work ethic, hustle and focus on the court are second to none.  People make it out like he is a bad locker room guy - but the fact is that he was loved as a teammate here in Boston.  BRING BACK REDZ!

Yes, the Celtics need someone to take those fifth-string shooting guard minutes away from Keith Bogans.

Delonte West would walk onto this team and be the 2nd best guard immediately.  He is a better overall player than Avery Bradley, Courney Lee, Keith Bogans, Marson Brooks.

I would think if that were true he wouldn't have such a hard time getting a job in the NBA. It's a pretty forgiving league

Just for reference - PER being the best stat to show overall effectiveness...

Career numbers for PER

A Bradley - 9.6
Courtney Lee - 12.1
Keith Bogans - 9.6
D West - 13.9

Delonte is a VERY GOOD defender at the 1 or 2 position as well.  He was one of the keys to Dallas' playoff run a few years back.  If he can focus on bball alone and leave the other crap behind - he is a really good player.  I think a lot of you are selling his skills short because of his mental issues.  I could care less about his mental issues as long as they are under control enough that it doesn't affect him on the court...and if it does, you let him go.  You can get him for a minimum contract right now.  He will certainly give you more than Keith Bogans ever could...

[tarheelsxxiii]

i fail to see how we could even think about having this discussion on west without first dealing with the source of his problem - his bipolar disorder.

such a discussion on protection also misses the point of what being bipolar can do to some people when they stop taking their medications and therapy. many of them become subject to delusions or illusions.

west has a long, documented record of mental disorders. disorders that require vigilant and continuing monitoring, medication, and therapy...for life. i know people with similar conditions, this is a life of hell for some people.

what is key here is that west has a pattern of NOT following through, which is not unusual for many such sufferers.

the man has not yet demonstrated that he is in consistent control of his terrible condition.

I appreciate your post, and I agree with some aspects. But, a few things...

Despite his record, I've never interpreted his behavior(s) as being indicative of Bipolar I disorder - the severe type often characterized by hallucinations and/or delusions and need for very potent medication (i.e., antipsychotics).

I'm certainly not an expert on bipolar disorder. I'm in a doctoral program for clinical psychology, however, and am affected by Bipolar II. If he similarly falls on the milder end of the spectrum, his behavior could certainly be managed with a proper, consistent medication regimen (just as you suggested).

I agree with you that, given his history, he does not manage his symptoms consistently well. However, my take is this: if he isn't a problem in the locker room (which I've never heard to be the case), I don't think his off-court issues should matter. He can play basketball and he would help out team a lot by doing his job on the basketball court.

If his behavior affects the team (from what I know, not likely), he loses his job. If he makes mistakes in his personal life, he loses his job. It's that simple. And don't we all benefit from a separation between work and personal life?