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Saluting the Unsung Hero – Delonte West

By Michael Hilperts

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Delonte West went from being a promising young Celtics guard, to a starter on a contending Cavaliers, before becoming the pariah he is today. While his sudden status as a persona non grata is somewhat warranted, he was rarely a problem in Boston. So here’s to you, Delonte.

It’s understandable why Celtics fans have largely tried to forget that Delonte West was, at one point, a member of the Boston Celtics. His post-Celtics career has been a colossal embarrassment for the (only) 32-year-old, West – whose already been out of the league for four seasons. His legacy will forever be spoiled by his off-the-court antics, rather than his authentically passionate play on the court.

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Even with the Celtics, West was always hot-tempered, tallying up 4 technical fouls in his sophomore season with the Celtics. But what Celtics fans saw was a feisty youngster, looking to find any competitive edge to help the C’s win. While it was clear after the first two seasons that he would likely never make an All-Star team, West proved he was a versatile player, capable of playing both guard positions, with legitimate three-point range (37% career behind-the-arc).

Pre-Arrest Delonte West

Between 2004 and 2007, the 24th overall draft pick, West would play for a Celtics squad most memorable for harvesting the requisite assets to land Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. For the casual Boston sports fans – the type who typically forego the spectating of the Celtics during the trying times – West’s name is likely the punch-line to a mean-spirited joke.

However, for those of us who actually watched these teams, West was a constant source of entertainment. He was an aggressive defender, who – while not necessarily elite – aggravated the hell out of opposing point guards. At 6’4″, West’s size allowed him to guard off guards in addition to point guards, which provided the Celtics with some flexibility in the back court. By 2006, West had begun to show signs of developing a more well-rounded game, as his play making skills had begun to show potential.

Yet in the summer of 2006, the Celtics would draft Rajon Rondo. And by the All-Star break, Rondo would replace West as the team’s starting point guard (a position he’d remain the incumbent for 8 seasons). While West and Rondo worked well together, Rondo’s beaming star-potential had consequentially made West expendable.

The Celtics – in assembling their big three in 2007’s offseason – traded West to the Seattle Supersonics, along with Jeff Green. The Sonics would later trade West to a Cleveland Cavaliers squad, which would twice become playoff fodder for the Boston Celtics. Playing alongside LeBron James and receiving heavy minutes in Cleveland, put the national spotlight on West. With Mo Williams and LeBron James responsible for the majority of the Cavs’ playmaking, West moved to shooting guard in Cleveland, where he excelled as a corner shooter – converting 39.9% of his three point attempts.

The league took notice of his obvious talents, as West – who had signed a 3-year/$12.7 million deal in Cleveland before the start of the 2008-2009 season – was expected to sign an even larger deal, following the completion of his Cavs contract.

West would never sign that big contract though, as he’d proven to be his own worst enemy.

The Fall of Delonte West

His reputation took an abhorrent turn for the worst when he was arrested for the possession of several illegal firearms. According to West, the impossibly-bizarre arrest plays out as follows:

After his house guests had found his guns, which he deemed “collector’s items”, West – in an effort to relocate them to a less dangerous location – hopped on his three-wheeled bike and transported them via-guitar case (El Mariachi, anyone?) to another house he used solely for storage. However, West was on his bipolar medication, which, in turn, made him sleepy, making him unfit to drive. On the freeway, he began to swerve as he drove and, after nearly avoiding a semi, pulled over to the shoulder. From there, a frightened and sedated West flagged down an officer and told him what he was doing, which was very obviously illegal. And, as you’d expect, West was arrested.

West would end up serving 40 hours/week of community while subject to electronic monitoring.

If West’s story is true, West isn’t the violent criminal we were led to believe, but merely an incredibly ill-advised gun enthusiast. The damage was done, however, as the Cavs would trade him to Minnesota, who’d almost immediately release him (we’ve got Jonny Flynn, guys. He’s good, right?).

While it’s hard to excuse the majority of West’s actions, he’s has had to combat severe depression and bipolar disorder throughout his entire life. Having to contend with such a debilitating affliction, on top of the insurmountable pressures of NBA life, ultimately bode poorly for West. Following the incident, the majority of the league’s front offices would red flag him, in turn, devastating his market value.

While West’s felony would become the “official” reason for teams’ reluctance to sign him, one unsubstantiated rumor played a unexpectedly significant role in turning West into the pariah he is today. During the Celtics-Cavaliers playoff series in 2010, rumors began to swirl regarding the existence of an alleged sexual relationship between West and LeBron James’ mother, Gloria. While West has vehemently denied any allegations, to the casual fan, this will forever dominate his legacy.

This rumor should be taken with a Gheorghe Muresan-sized grain of salt, however. I mean, when has the internet ever been wrong before?

Post-Arrest Delonte West

West’s career can be demarcated into two distinct stages: the pre-arrest and the post-arrest stage. In the post-arrest era, West returned to the Celtics for the 2010-2011 season , but with little fanfare. While he had always had support in Boston, West had joined an elite Celtics team far different than the oft-struggling C’s he’d played for from 2004-2007. Times had changed in Boston, as West only played only 24 games during the regular season, having to scavenge for minutes against the likes of Rajon Rondo, Nate Robinson, Von Wafer, and now rookie, Avery Bradley.

In the playoffs, however, West had re-established himself as the C’s first guard off the bench. He averaged 18 minutes per game throughout the nine Celtics playoffs game that season, which ultimately ended at the hands of the Miami Heat. It was an efficient playoffs for West, though. Once again proving to the league that he belonged, regardless of his – at this point – well-publicized behavioral issues.

Despite his blossoming stack, West’s fortunes plummeted after his second stint with the Celtics. The Dallas Mavericks had signed West, but considering it was the lockout season, West had to take a job at a furniture store for income. Between his divorce, legal troubles and overall poor spending, the 28-year-old had successfully wound up broke.

Perhaps the most heart-breaking moment of West’s career came during training camp. Throughout the preseason West would be the first player in the locker room and then the last player to leave. In reality, he never really left. West was homeless and reliant upon the Mavericks locker room as his residence. Even the most vocal of West haters would be lying if they said this didn’t soften their hatred just a tad.

Because of West’s limited funds and criminal record, nobody wanted to rent out to West. Of course, all of this was unknown to the Mavericks organization, who – upon finding out – pulled some strings and found a place that finally allowed West to stay. In the meantime, it seems like West had found a home as he had found a strong ally in Mark Cuban, who would become one of West’s most vocal supporters.

West’s performance was serviceable that season, which proved enough to earn him the veteran minimum’s contract for the following season.

However, Delonte West had once again gotten in the way of Delonte West: after multiple arguments following two preseason game losses had erupted, catalyzed by West, the Mavericks had opted to waive Delonte.

Actions such as this didn’t help, either:

The Melancholic Reality of West Today

As if the Universe wasn’t punishing West enough, following his dismissal from the Mavs, his sole apartment sat directly across the street from the Mavericks’ American Airlines Center. Every home game, West had to endure the taunting hums of excitement emanating out of the procession of Mavericks fans entering and exiting the arena. It’s hard to imagine the level of self-loathing West experienced each of these nights – knowing those fans would be cheering for him, if he could just conquer his unconquerable demons.

While West’s misfortunes are primarily self-inflicted, the result of suffering from bipolar disorder from such a young age, inevitably made West feel helpless at some point. In his formative years, West was taking a pharmacy’s worth of prescription drugs everyday to combat his suicidal thoughts. This constant influx of drugs and unhealthy thoughts must have, over time damaged West’s psyche.

As a result, there’s something commendable about West, who – despite leading a somewhat misanthropic life – accomplished something the majority of us will never do; He fulfilled his life’s dream. West had somehow made it to the NBA against the insurmountable odds imposed by both his mental illness and the sheer exclusivity of the NBA (.03% chance to make it for a given high school athlete). He did this through relentless devotion to improving his craft while commanding a Jedi Knight’s level of self-discipline off-the-court.

Today, West is still trying to make the NBA. Understandably, front offices are simply more interested in raw prospects than troubled 32-year-olds. He recently did a stint in the D-League – debasing himself to play alongside undrafted 20-year-olds in the hopes an NBA team would notice him. It was to no avail though, as a season-ending injury provoked his team to release him, thus, further steepening the uphill climb back to the NBA.

The best play for West at this point is to simply cut his losses and sign overseas, where he’ll likely play meaninful minutes and earn a steady pay check. Unfortunately, his problems will follow him wherever he goes. Nobody can run away from themselves, which sadly – for Delonte – his problem is himself.

If I had to guess, he’ll never play another NBA game.To the league he’s devolved into a mere cautionary tale – equally despicable as it is pitiful – told to remind the middle-of-the-pack players just how far they can fall if they don’t behave.

To me though, I like to remember that 23-year-old kid who helped make the Celtics watchable during the dark times. So cheers Delonte, hope you find the answer to your problems, whatever it is and wherever it leads you next.

Plus, never Forget:

Next: Predicting the Celtics Record by December

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