While We’re Waiting… Pryor vs Tebow, Big Ben in Detroit, and the Browns’ No. 1 Receiver
October 27, 20092009-10 Collaborative NBA Preview
October 27, 2009
It is no secret that this past offseason has had its ups and downs for Cavs guard Delonte West.
He gets married. His GM finds him some relief at the off-guard that can allow him to get some actual rest. His GM finds a big man that could be the piece that gets a ring on his finger. He becomes an [even bigger] Internet sensation thanks to a few videos that bubble up through the tubes – including the infamous “Hot Sauce in my Bag” bit.
Then things seemed to take a turn for the worse thanks to his inner battle with a well-documented bipolar disorder. And then the whole motorcycle/trio of guns episode. And then skipping camp. And now this whole alleged suit from his wife of three-plus months.
Through all of this, there is a strong contingent of fans (and members of the media, his team, etc) that are standing by West no matter what.
But on the other side, there is a contingent of fans that apparently haven’t a care in the world regarding the future of West – both on the court and in a more personal light.
And to that group, I could not agree more with Amar at Cavalier Attitude when he says, “I hope that this doesn’t represent a large portion of Cavs Nation. Because if it does, a majority of you need to get some sensitivity training.”
Even those that emailed Nineteen Action News stating that the Cavs need to rid themselves of Delonte before he “ruins” our season. Really?
Ruining a season would be more likely if he was a cancer in the locker room, and/or his Cavalier teammates were not behind him. But say West cannot come to terms with these issues for a few weeks and we are forced to play without him, how would we be better off not having him as an option at all?
And don’t forget that the NBA has still yet to rule on a possible suspension – a time period that could actually benefit West as he attempts to pull himself together. And to those that are using this latest episode as a tipping point of sorts…
Let’s not forget, West’s wife filed a domestic violence charge. Nobody has proved anything yet, and unlike the weapons possession charge, West hasn’t been arrested for anything dealing with this latest incident. In fact, no reports indicate that there were any signs of injury or abuse on her, so people just assume the worst and then assume it to be true.
Am I happy that these issues are going on with Delonte? Of course not. But am I about to say that he’s a “bum” or that the Cavaliers need to cut him, trade him, etc? Not a chance. Thankfully, the NBA season is 82 games long. Everything went right last year for the Cavs to win 66 games – and as of now, things do not look as if they’re getting off to the most stellar of starts. But in the end, those that think that this Cavs team would be better off without West come April, May and June are sadly mistaken.
—
Note To Cavs Fans: Lay Off Delonte West [Cavalier Attitude]
30 Comments
I hate to keep playing this card, but I bet opinions are divided between those who understand mental illness, and those who don’t.
Doing stupid things is PART of bipolar disorder. It’s like pimples when you have chicken pox. Tension with family and friends is PART of bipolar disorder. The unfortunate fact is that there is almost nothing to do, except wait and pray. The good news is that the Cavs seem prepared to do it.
I think you’ve got a good point Roosevelt – mood disorders and mental illness are fickle, fickle things that not everybody understands (or wants to). I posted this response over at Cav Attitude and figure I might as well leave it here as well:
Kudos Amar. Mid-day yesterday I saw some of the same comments and really was appalled. I was going to write a similar piece but was too angry and didn’t have the time.
What angers me the most (I think) is the complete insensitivity that WOIO exhibited in trying to break news. They posted the ’story’ at around 1 PM on Sunday, saying it would be updated. All the site said was there was an ‘incident at the airport’ and there were no additional details added until 8 or 9 PM. I’m sure that people like Windhorst and Boyer knew about the incident, and knew it was nothing of great importance – so they sat on it. There are a lot of stories that the beat writers sit on and don’t write, because we as fans don’t need to know all the details of the situations with the team. Where the line should be drawn I don’t know – but I think it’s clear that WOIO doesn’t know a thing when it comes to sensitivity and players.
In my opinion the story (when isolated) is nothing. Given Delonte’s background and history, it’s maybe, MAYBE, mentionable. But to see people throw him under the bus and scream bloody murder because he (from current reports) tried to take his wife’s ring back then DROVE HER TO THE AIRPORT is asinine and hypocritical.
Given the extraordinarily fragile psyche of the Cleveland sports fan in general, this is a story that we didn’t need to hear about. Stupid, frustrated people are getting more and more vocal (in general it seems) because the Cavs are “Our only shot at a Championship”, and some ignorant folks will say that Delonte needs to go so that he “doesn’t ruin our championship” (as though it’s already won).
There’s a lot about this story that I don’t like, and none of it has to do with the story itself, but more specifically the way that it was reported, and the ignorant responses that come with it.
[Insert hackneyed Desparado/Donuts/KFC joke here]
As I said at CA
My 2nd favorite player. I hope Delonte gets himself together, then takes us to the promised land.
He’s an asset to our team, he was a model citizen to fans last season, he wasn’t going all Maurice Clarrett with a bottle of goose and a bullet proof vest, and he DID NOT hit his wife. She had NO signs of ANY injury. We need Delonte, coming off the bench is fine, he’s going to play big minutes and help our team very much. Please stick by him everyone.
If Delonte plays tonight (or whenever he plays), I hope the Cavs crowd will give him a standing ovation, letting him know that the Cavs and their fans are a family and that we’re with him.
Let’s not forget that Channel 19 is a joke of a “NEWS” station and only reports sensationalism. EVERY story they report is breaking news on that channel.
Swig you were absolutely right though that Amar’s first problem was actually reading the comments on Cleveland.com
So to Continue your idea from the While We’re Waiting this morning… Keep up the Great Job haha
Delonte should take as much time as he needs to right his ship, and if he can come back and contribute anything this season, great. A few extra wins and the 1 seed are great and all, but I wouldn’t mind if he took half the season off if need be and came back fresh with Powe for the 2nd half and playoffs. And if for whatever reason he can’t play at all, I would much rather he get his life in order than worry about a game.
thanks Scott, good post. I love our country, but sometimes situations like these bring out our worst punitive instincts rather than empathy. Let’s let the legal system/NBA sort out the facts and mete out justice, and try as a city to be understanding of D. West’s mental health issues (and those of other non-celebrities as well). Let’s get that good karma flowing, Cleveland.
Im on Delonte’s side w/ all of this – but he does need to get his act back together pronto.
I wish this post included an attached video of Scott crying histerically screaming “LEAVE DELONTE ALONE!” alla Chris Crocker, but other than that well said sir. Cleveland fans that don’t understand what Delonte is going through and who don’t realize what an important assett he is to the team need to shut up.
nullster, thanks!! Sometimes it’s hard but I just try to power through.
Boomhauer, I’d take that one step further. I hope the first time he walks out, even if it’s in a suit to sit behind the bench, he gets the standing O.
“But say West cannot come to terms with these issues for a few weeks and we are forced to play without him, how would we be better off not having him as an option at all?”
Scott, I go much further. The man has serious issues that can potentially result in harm to himself and others. Just hope he gets better and gets his life under control. Period. In however many weeks, months or years it takes. Forget the basketball. It’s not a physical injury that needs a little scope, or a “shut down.” It’s not a divorce that requires a little personal time. Forget the basketball and our precious, holy champinship season that we suffering fans deserve. It’s this kid’s life. Big picture time, folks.
@6-
As a gainfully employed broadcaster, I can confirm that Channel 19 is widely regarded as the worst news station in the country. I’ve been to the RTNDA (Radio & TV News Directors Association) national conference three times and at every one, 19 ACTION NEWS (EVERYWHERE!) was the unprovoked butt of jokes from reporters, anchors and news directors from all corners of the country.
to continue nullster’s comment, i’m pretty sure swig is solely responsible for this:
http://www.life.com/image/1130475/in-gallery/28512/best-and-worst-places-to-drive
@ The Seaward
I too have heard that from numerous people in the business (including folks who work for the station). They’re considered the national enquirer of local Cleveland news by many.
Makes no difference if this is uncontrollable mental illness, failure to follow treatment, or just being a rich punk that thinks he can do as he pleases – in the end, you have to LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACTIONS.
I don’t care what your malfunction, if you speed down the road with machine guns – or smack your wife, you need to face the music and take the punishment like a man.
The NBA cannot allow him to do WTF he wants, and write it all off as “part of his disease” – if you cant control your behavior, you don’t deserve to make millions of dollars a year to play a kids game. Playing in the NBA is a privilege not a right.
Get your act together Delonte, before you end up jobless, penniless, and alone.
Remember back in the day when Denise Dufala was hot and up and coming and worked for a reputable station. Man I’m getting old.
Delotnte needs an assistant/bodyguard to make sure he takes his meds daily, the hot sauce is getting to his brain.
I just want to say that when I saw the comments on Cleveland.com yesterday, I have never been more proud of our community here. The respect you readers and commenters show to the players and the teams that we cover is greatly appreciated. Yes, we have the occasional flame war here, and sure, there are still some insensitive pricks who post comments that just make me sad for them, but in general, this is the best place for level headed sports discussions when it comes to Cleveland Sports.
Ditto to what Rock said – yesterday’s discussion included one or two ‘get him out’ comments, but nothing ridiculous like I saw elsewhere. Internet props and cocktails for everybody.
Aaaaand thanks Pat. 1) at this point there’s no evidence he smacked his wife. So leave irrelevant things out of this. 2) He didn’t have machine guns – the pistols were SEMI-automatic, and I don’t know the deets on the shotgun but those typically aren’t automatic as well. There’s a difference.
I don’t condone carte blanche for him – obviously there’s going to be legal ramifications for what happened on the Beltway in PG Chillin’. But – that’s not on us to decide (since I moved out of PG County, I can no longer potentially be on a jury – how cool would that be?!), it’s for the legal process to decide. At this point he’s innocent. He has yet to have been proven guilty by a court, so leave it be. The NBA also can’t throw him into a padded room and wash their hands of him. He’s a human being for christ’s sake. And last I checked, Roger Goodell isn’t in charge of the NBA – so he’s not going to be suspended indefinitely.
But thanks for bringing some heavy handed criticism.
@17
These guys, it seems to me, get payed less to play than they get paid not to play for someone else (See, Marbury).
@21-
Wearing #13 in wine and gold during jury polling would get your kiester peremptory challenged right outta the jury pool.
remember: a domestic violence claim can be made at any time. the cops in this day and age must act first and ask questions later. Take it from a guy who spent time in jail on an assault charge that was completely made up. I spent 18 months waiting for a trial until the judge was forced to drop the case because the accuser never bothered to show up.
There are some crazy, vindictive women out there who use the legal system for revenge (Duke lacrosse, etc…) and until the facts come out, I always take the side of the accused.
WOIO sets the ‘headless body in a topless bar’ standard for Cleveland journalism and I take little stock in anything they report. This is hard for Cleveland fans to deal with, cuz smart fans Delonte’s gonna be a huge part of any championship run…at the same time this guy’s obviously dealing w/ some issues that he has to sort out. It’s tough for people to separate desperation for a championship from the very real problems that could destroy Delonte’s life.
@ scotty p – I hear ya on Dufala, she looks so busted up now, but back when I was a prepubescent, MAN she was fine!
The bottom line on Delonte, IMHO, is the man is a human being first, basketball player second. He needs to take all the time he needs to get this issue under control, and make sure he can control it, then worry about playing.
@17 Are you sure your last name isn’t Buchanan? That’s an absolutely absurd statement. Let’s all take a deep breath and realize that wild accusations are always thrown around by people who want money. I’m not saying this is the case… if Delonte abused his wife, I’ll be the first one to denounce the guy, but you have to believe it’s just as likely of a possibility. Let’s just wait and see if there’s an ounce of proof before shredding him.
Secondly, I don’t think anyone is saying you don’t hold West responsible for his actions in this situation, in the strapped guns situation, or any other legally questionable situation. Let’s just make sure it’s the truth before we strip a man of his livelihood and reputation.
I’m with the rest of you guys… I love that usually on this blog, you get some well-thought-out responses from people who genuinely follow Cleveland sports. It’s too bad that in the world of blog commenting you will always have to wade through a few idiots to get to the good stuff.
@Rock, Denny, WFNY contributors,
That’s why we come here. Everyone reports the same stories but there are very few sites you can go to and have good discourse.
Having West makes this team better, no doubt about it. But the addition of Anthony Parker heavily (but not fully) mitigates West’s absence.
Delonte was the 2nd best, or most consistent, player on our team last year. But one of the Cavs’ major weaknesses was a small backcourt; the addition of Parker ensures that’s an issue of the past.
So much for the home court winning streak…LOL