After having his court date pushed back until after the end of the NBA season, Cavaliers guard Delonte West has officially been given a sentence following his mid-September arrest. West and his team of representatives reached a plea with the state of Maryland that resulted in the much-discussed player being handed a punishment of eight months electronic monitoring, two years probation, 40 hours of community service as well as psychological counseling.
The Associated Press reported early Thursday morning that West was expected to plead guilty to charges of carrying concealed weapons and transporting loaded weapons – both stemming from the incident in which West was pulled over for reportedly cutting off a police officer. Upon a search, West was allegedly found to have two loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun (in a guitar case) and a 22-centimetre Bowie knife while speeding on a three-wheel motorcycle. The player, turning 27-years old this month, claimed that he was simply transporting the weapons from one home to another per his mother’s request.
Both charges were of the misdemeanor variety. West was reportedly ashamed, claiming that he was concerned that he has let down those children that look up to him due to his profession.
Averaging 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists, West was the victim of a tumultuous 2009-10 season that saw him produce his worst numbers as a member of Cavaliers. Suffering many ups and downs due to a bipolar disorder, West missed the entire preseason as well as various stretches throughout the course of the year, playing in 60 of a possible 82 games. Looking as if he was overcoming his issues, West shot a combined 1-for-12 for 8 points (and four turnovers) in the final three games against the Boston Celtics.
Loaded with plenty of talent and a considerable amount of baggage, West has a very favorable contract heading into the 2010-11 season that has subsequently resulted in the guard being placed on the trading block. Given the current state of the team and the roller coaster which was provided to both parties during the prior year, it is anticipated that the Cavaliers do not see West as a part of their future.
Regardless of his future team, it is widely assumed that West will be suspended for at least three games in the 2010-11 season.
Video of the incident and West arriving to court can be found below:
