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Cavs stuck between rock and hard place
As if Delonte West didn’t already have enough on his plate.
Weeks after being arrested on gun charges, he doesn’t show up to either of the team’s first two practices Tuesday.
This comes a day after he told the media he was back on his medication (West suffers from mood disorders) and was ready to focus on basketball.
News-Herald sports editor Mark Podolski, who I talked to following media day, told me West seemed to be in pretty good spirits while talking to media and teammates.
Usually, missing practice unannounced is beyond unacceptable on any team for any sport.
West has had a summer to forget and now as we dip into the most important training camp of this franchise’s history with expectations through the roof, the Cavaliers cannot afford to have these distractions.
Last year, West experienced a similar situation where he was excused from the team for two weeks during training camp to get therapy.
But how do you deal with a player who suffers from a mental illness?
West seems like a good guy who hasn’t made the best decisions of late. The question is why is the shooting guard, who seems to be a very well-liked player on the team, making these mistakes?
Is the mood disorder causing this erratic behavior or does West have us fooled and maybe his recent actions just reflect who he really is?
While I think it has a lot to do with the former and not much to do with the latter, the Cavaliers have to find this out and address this matter swiftly and appropriately.
Because of his mood disorder, they have to be careful and sensitive while dealing with the situation, but how much more can the Cavaliers take?
No one’s even mentioned yet how the legal process, which I’m sure is weighing in on West, is going to effect his play.
I love West. He’s not a typically-sized NBA player but he makes up for his lack of strength and size with heart, hustle and toughness. He’s a better than average role player who was the second best player during the 2009 playoff run.
I hope he gets the help he needs not just for the sake of this team, but I’m truly concerned for his well-being.
-Nick Carrabine
NCarrabine@News-Herald.com
Weeks after being arrested on gun charges, he doesn’t show up to either of the team’s first two practices Tuesday.
This comes a day after he told the media he was back on his medication (West suffers from mood disorders) and was ready to focus on basketball.
News-Herald sports editor Mark Podolski, who I talked to following media day, told me West seemed to be in pretty good spirits while talking to media and teammates.
Usually, missing practice unannounced is beyond unacceptable on any team for any sport.
West has had a summer to forget and now as we dip into the most important training camp of this franchise’s history with expectations through the roof, the Cavaliers cannot afford to have these distractions.
Last year, West experienced a similar situation where he was excused from the team for two weeks during training camp to get therapy.
But how do you deal with a player who suffers from a mental illness?
West seems like a good guy who hasn’t made the best decisions of late. The question is why is the shooting guard, who seems to be a very well-liked player on the team, making these mistakes?
Is the mood disorder causing this erratic behavior or does West have us fooled and maybe his recent actions just reflect who he really is?
While I think it has a lot to do with the former and not much to do with the latter, the Cavaliers have to find this out and address this matter swiftly and appropriately.
Because of his mood disorder, they have to be careful and sensitive while dealing with the situation, but how much more can the Cavaliers take?
No one’s even mentioned yet how the legal process, which I’m sure is weighing in on West, is going to effect his play.
I love West. He’s not a typically-sized NBA player but he makes up for his lack of strength and size with heart, hustle and toughness. He’s a better than average role player who was the second best player during the 2009 playoff run.
I hope he gets the help he needs not just for the sake of this team, but I’m truly concerned for his well-being.
-Nick Carrabine
NCarrabine@News-Herald.com
posted by News-Herald Blogs at
10:08 AM
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