Delonte West misses first practice of training camp
By Brian Windhorst
September 29, 2009, 1:45PM
INDEPENDENCE -- Delonte West is not off to a good start with his supposed fresh start.
A day after he claimed he just wanted to focus on basketball following an arrest on gun possession, he couldn't even do that on the first day of training camp. West did not report to practice at the Cleveland Clinic Courts this morning and his absence was unexcused.
"On a personal note, you always hope he's doing well," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "But I have to continue looking forward and coaching this team. Whether it is Delonte or somebody else, if they miss practice and it is unexcused it will be handled internally."
Brown said team general manager Danny Ferry was handling the issue. He said he wasn't aware if Ferry or anyone else from the team had been in contact with West.
"We have to try as best we can to maintain that bunker mentality and not let outside influences take us off course," Brown said.
On Monday, West downplayed his gun arrest in Maryland two weeks ago. He said he was back on his medicine and back to a routine that centered around basketball. West has battled a mood disorder his whole life and last year talked about his issues publicly after leaving the team during training camp to seek treatment.
"Right now what I want to focus on is this team and playing basketball," West said Monday.
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