http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/0...
Delonte West, who has had a pair of stints with the Celtics, said the time away has been rewarding and therapeutic.
“This, in a way, has been the biggest blessing of my life,” he said. “This has given me time to grow. I’m just looking for answers, and all of the things I have been searching for, as a man, not as an athlete, to complete me. In that time period I met my wife and have had a beautiful son, and it’s like everything is falling in place.
Related
“Back in December or January, I stopped trying to trust in man and fight these battles by myself. I just handed the keys to the man upstairs and let him drive. It’s been the biggest blessing of my life. I have so much to be grateful for, thankful for, and I have a lot to play for now.
“I feel completed as a person and as a man, and all I need is an opportunity and I don’t think any team is going to regret it,” he said.
Reflection has been a consistent theme for West the past 12 months. He stopped tweeting and allowing outside interests to affect his passion for basketball.
“Over this last year, this whole social media hasn’t done any justice for any players, really in all walks of sports,” he said. “You have so many people who are waiting for you to say the wrong thing. You can say 100 things right and then say one thing wrong and the world is going to go crazy. So, I left that alone. I retired my rap career. That didn’t help, either.
West, at 6 feet 4 inches, has built his weight back up to 200 pounds and is completely healthy after myriad injuries over the past few years.
“I am putting in the work every day, and whatever team picks me up, guaranteed or non-guaranteed, they’re going to get a top-tier player,” he said. “I spent time just licking my wounds, trying to shy away from the laughter [about me]. My game is not of league minimum, but that’s OK, though. It’s not about the money. I’m trying to break free from that stigma but it’s hanging over my head. I decided that I ain’t worried about the laughter. I’m not giving nobody no more ammunition to laugh at me. No more self-loathing. I’m here to play basketball and show people who Delonte West is.”
Hahn suggested the Knicks might bring a bunch of vets in to camp to compete for the last couple of spots. West was a guy he mentioned.
Delonte did nothing in Dallas D-League games last year. Not sure what's up
Saying all the right things.
West included or not, next year's supporting cast should be better, and log more minutes than last year's.
I hope Woodson does a better job distributing those minutes.
West is saying all the right things. I really think he can be an asset. Im just worried about his mental illness. This isnt some "JR partying like an idiot" issue, he has a REAL disease that can make him go bonkers if he doesnt take his meds. i kinda feel bad for the guy
martin wrote:Delonte did nothing in Dallas D-League games last year. Not sure what's up
I read that he didn't want to be there, so maybe he just put in a begrudging effort. I get where he's coming form- he feels (and is) a pretty good talent, but has to keep settling for the minimum. To him he feels it's due to unfair stigma of his mental health issues. However while that plays a part, his attitude was pretty bad with the Mavs, so he needs to accept some personal responsibility too.
You guys don't think Metta will keep him in check, knowing he's a spokesperson for mental illness ?
playa2 wrote:You guys don't think Metta will keep him in check, knowing he's a spokesperson for mental illness ?
A spokesman and a posterboy on the same team?
Dude has talent but he has burned some bridges.
Nalod wrote:playa2 wrote:You guys don't think Metta will keep him in check, knowing he's a spokesperson for mental illness ?
A spokesman and a posterboy on the same team?
Dude has talent but he has burned some bridges.
People can grow up and change ya know, for some it takes a little longer than others.
callmened wrote:West is saying all the right things. I really think he can be an asset. Im just worried about his mental illness. This isnt some "JR partying like an idiot" issue, he has a REAL disease that can make him go bonkers if he doesnt take his meds. i kinda feel bad for the guy
unfortunately it is NOT the 1st time he has said all the right things to get a 2nd chance and guess what....he blew it. I don't have a probably with crazy but, I do have a problem with insane and this guys needs to be home hugging his teddy bear and taking his meds.
DurzoBlint wrote:callmened wrote:West is saying all the right things. I really think he can be an asset. Im just worried about his mental illness. This isnt some "JR partying like an idiot" issue, he has a REAL disease that can make him go bonkers if he doesnt take his meds. i kinda feel bad for the guy
unfortunately it is NOT the 1st time he has said all the right things to get a 2nd chance and guess what....he blew it. I don't have a probably with crazy but, I do have a problem with insane and this guys needs to be home hugging his teddy bear and taking his meds.
His weapons arrest is pretty scary. You have to wonder what he was going to do with a loaded ruger, a loaded 357 magnum and a loaded shotgun before he was stopped by the police.
playa2 wrote:Nalod wrote:playa2 wrote:You guys don't think Metta will keep him in check, knowing he's a spokesperson for mental illness ?
A spokesman and a posterboy on the same team?
Dude has talent but he has burned some bridges.
People can grow up and change ya know, for some it takes a little longer than others.
He is not on trial. we talking basketball.
You asked, I opinioned.
I don't want that motherf*cker (and I do mean that literally) on this team!
playa2 wrote:Nalod wrote:playa2 wrote:You guys don't think Metta will keep him in check, knowing he's a spokesperson for mental illness ?
A spokesman and a posterboy on the same team?
Dude has talent but he has burned some bridges.
People can grow up and change ya know, for some it takes a little longer than others.
He definitely could grow up some. I am not positive (maybe Smackeddog could clarify), but I think some of his mental health issues are organic.
playa2 wrote:Nalod wrote:playa2 wrote:You guys don't think Metta will keep him in check, knowing he's a spokesperson for mental illness ?
A spokesman and a posterboy on the same team?
Dude has talent but he has burned some bridges.
People can grow up and change ya know, for some it takes a little longer than others.
And some don't. What evidence do you have that he has? You need more than wishful thinking, and a bunch of empty rhetoric.
Panos wrote:playa2 wrote:Nalod wrote:playa2 wrote:You guys don't think Metta will keep him in check, knowing he's a spokesperson for mental illness ?
A spokesman and a posterboy on the same team?
Dude has talent but he has burned some bridges.
People can grow up and change ya know, for some it takes a little longer than others.
And some don't. What evidence do you have that he has? You need more than wishful thinking, and a bunch of empty rhetoric.
This is called growing up: At 30 he settled down and got married and has a little baby: Reflection has been a consistent theme for West the past 12 months. He stopped tweeting and allowing outside interests to affect his passion for basketball.
“Over this last year, this whole social media hasn’t done any justice for any players, really in all walks of sports,” he said. “You have so many people who are waiting for you to say the wrong thing. You can say 100 things right and then say one thing wrong and the world is going to go crazy. So, I left that alone. I retired my rap career. That didn’t help, either.
KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:I don't want that motherf*cker (and I do mean that literally) on this team!
Papabear Says
You must understand that LeBron has a young mother. And if West and his mother felt a physical attraction who are we to complain. They both are consenting adults. Glad he didn't get her pregnant.
he was a good player and the knicks could definitely use him. not many willing defenders out there.
Micheal Beasley for all his words and rehab for weed, got bust again.
Words don't do enough.
Glad he is happy. I hope he stays happy.
We talking employment here, not denial of his happiness.
