Delonte, I’m Glad You’re Gone!
September 22, 2009 by Nick Gelso
West has been plagued with depression issues and mood swings since his childhood.
In a story that broke last Friday, former Celtic Delonte West was charged with illegal gun possession and making an illegal lane change while driving his (three wheeled) motorcycle.
He will appear in court on November 20th – I hope he will miss the Cavs scheduled game in Indiana that night.
First of all, maybe I am out of touch but, what the hell is a three wheeled motorcycle? Furthermore, if you’re going to drive such a “please look at me” vehicle then why would you carry a gun?
Wait a second, Delonte didn’t have one gun, he had THREE! He wasn’t carrying a Red Ryder BB gun either. He had three powerful weapons – a Beretta 9mm in his waistband, a Ruger 357 strapped to his LEG and a shot gun in a GUITAR CASE slung OVER HIS BACK!!!!
What was this guy going to take on the Taliban one on one??? What could he possibly need an arsenal like that to go out for a joy ride on a completely attention grabbing (ugly) vehicle?
Let’s face it, Delonte West is a complete idiot. When are these players going to realize they have a responsibility to set a good example for their young fans. Not to mention, they have a responsibility to the sport they play in to behave in a professional and responsible manner.
I didn’t like this guy when he wore green and I REALLY can’t stand him now.
Cavaliers GM, Danny Ferry said:
“We have been in communication with Delonte and his family. We are gathering more information and will not have further comment until the appropriate time”
What more information do you need Danny? Your guard was out in the middle of the night, fully loaded, playing
Strange!
batman while cutting off police officers in a THREE wheeled motorcycle!
On a more serious note, Delonte West has been plagued with depression issues since his childhood. A man with notorious mood swings and on anti-depressants should really not be permitted to carry fire arms.
I feel sorry for Delonte, depression is a terrible sickness. He needs to continue treatment and weapons need to be FAR away from this guy.
In the mean time, I hope if he decides to go out joy riding with fire arms again, the league throws him a nice suspension.
A professional athlete has a responsibility to carry himself in a professional manner. Period.
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September 24, 2009 at 1:58 pm | Loscy
Whoa. Really?
In the 2008 EC semi-finals with CLV, I thought Delonte was the second best player on that team. I also think he’s part of one of the most unique backcourts with Mo Williams because of their size (of course allowed because of Lebron’s ability to guard anyone from positions 1-4, which turn around the match-up issues against their undersized guards into an actual advantage).
And you’re right: he’s suffering from a list of emotional and psychological issues. Depression being one of them.
But to say that “A professional athlete has a responsibility to carry himself in a professional manner. Period.” is a pretty blanket statement. They’re human, would you know, just like you and me. They make mistakes. I’m sure he’s trying to get help for stuff, but his occupation happens to be one where others follow what he does.
Plenty of other good stuff going on in the league’s offseason to cover. I’d hate to see our efforts focusing on a guy who is clearly trying to deal with stuff.
September 24, 2009 at 7:53 pm | Nick Gelso
First let me thank you for leaving a comment and reading the post. I honestly do appreciate it!
Secondly, I never accused Delonte of being a bad basketball player. I would agree that he was the 2nd best player on the Cavs in 2008. He has a decent game.
There’s no doubt I make mistakes and there is no doubt that depression is a terrible sickness, as I stated in the post, but “mistakes” are forgetting an important event or missing practice or forgetting to pay a bill… I would NOT consider driving around on a 3 wheeled motorcycle with four powerful weapons a “mistake”! I would consider it careless, wreckless and just plain dumb – deppression or no depression!
September 30, 2009 at 9:38 pm | Loscy
I think you’re missing point: you are seeing this from a rational state of mind. He doesn’t have the capacity to exist in a straight forward rational state of mind. The whole depression thing… yeah, that kind of messes with your mental cognition. It’s a sickness that affects decision-making. Depression isn’t just a matter of being sad, it’s more than that. Even wikipedia will tell you that.
September 30, 2009 at 9:56 pm | Nick Gelso
I totally appreciate your opinion. Truth is, I understand depression all too well. I’m not missing ur point. I do realize that depression is a “sickness that affects decision-making”. The point is, why does a notoriously clinically depressed person have these types of powerful fire arms??? This is careless, wreckless, and irresponsible.
If Delonte is THAT irrational, he should be hospitalized until properly medicated and stabilized. If he is clinically ill, the people surrounding him should keep fire arms away from him. A person THAT mentally impaired by depression could be a danger to the people around him and should be closely monitored.
Regardless… this is not a medical blog. lol.
BTW – I enjoy ur writing very much! Thanks for commenting!
October 1, 2009 at 10:34 am | Loscy
Glad to leave a comment or two!
From one Celtic freak to another, here’s to UBUNTU.
October 1, 2009 at 8:27 pm | Nick Gelso
Cheers Loscy! Thanks