Delonte West Preparing To Leave Seattle?

[jimmywolfrey]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2004153171_soniglance30.html

Delonte West isn't planting roots in Seattle, perhaps believing that his tenure as a Sonic could end any day. He said his apartment is practically bare and he still hasn't gotten used to his new surroundings.

"All of my stuff in my apartment in Seattle is still packed up," he said. "I haven't even unpacked my stuff. I still got a month-to-month efficiency here. It's still in bags."

West, who hadn't played in four games before Tuesday's 88-85 victory against San Antonio, hasn't complained about his diminished role and he hasn't asked for a trade. Still he's unsure about his future with the Sonics.

"I haven't necessarily been welcomed with open arms," he said. "I thought they would tell me to go to the D-League with [Mickael] Gelabale. I'm not even getting in the rotation in practice."

West entered Tuesday's game early in the second quarter because reserve guard Damien Wilkins was out with the flu. West had missed six of the previous seven games. It was believed a right plantar fasciitis was the cause of the his inactivity, but West said: "My foot hasn't been an issue for about a month now."

When the Sonics completed the trade with Boston involving Ray Allen, general manager Sam Presti said at the time that West, who was included in the deal, was more than a filler for salary-cap purposes.

"I remember them saying that I was a big part of the trade, but I guess I'm bringing up the rear now," West said. "I'm anchoring the team down. A team is only as good as the last man on the bench. And I'm the last man."

Presti hasn't given up on West, who entered Tuesday's game averaging 7.1 points, 3.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds.

"We're pleased to have Delonte," Presti said. "We know he'll continue to work to get better and keep himself prepared to play."

West said he hasn't spoken with Presti or coach P.J. Carlesimo and doesn't plan on asking for a meeting.

"I haven't been told anything," he said. "I'm not one of these guys that's going to go to the media and complain about playing time or complain about getting more time or how things should go. I'm going to just spend more time in the gym. I think that's the message. Work harder and put more time in it.

"I'm not going to say anything to get me fined or get me fired. I'm barely

[D5150]

non issue, non story. i dont want to hear it from him. he hasn't done anything to distinguish himself or set himself apart from other players. he and wilkins should keep their mouths shut.

[jenn_gp]

^Well I do think Delonte brings up a good point...remember back in the summer some of us kept asking why Delonte was never formerly introduced? I agree with him...it doesn't seem like he was given a very warm welcome.

But I do agree with you about his play. He hasn't been playing that great this year. I'm actually starting to wonder why he's so popular with the Boston fans, cause I don't really see anything to be excited about yet from him. He is a scrappy player at times, I'll give him that.

[wiff]

Maybe part of the reason he isn't in the rotations at practice is because he has been hurt???

Jesus this is the NBA it's a business. anyone remember Danny Fortsons press conference?

He did it on a stool with about two reporters around him. I guess we can always hire a banner that says, "Welcome home Delonte, you scrub"!

[Det the Threat]

There sure is quite some whining from some players over the last couple of days.

I really liked Delonte, when he was with the Celtics, and i was excited when we got him, but he had a couple of opportunities and didn't make a thing out of them.

BTW: What would we be able to get for him in a trade?
He alone probably wouldn't net us all that much, cause he's still on his rookie deal, might be a half year rental, has injury problems every now and then and hasn't done all that much for his value since joining the Sonics.

So i'd probably rather try to trade either Ridnour or Watson, which would free up some minutes for him, and see what West can give us in a consistant role, upgrading his trade value.

[AbdicatedReign]

Delonte never got a fair shake. We still haven't really seen what the kid can do. The insistence on playing Watson thirty minutes a game continues to plague this group. You can't have three PGs unless one is Mike Wilks. Delonte is not Mike Wilks. Make a trade or deal with disgruntled players. Management is looking rather pathetic so far.

[wiff]

Delonte never got a fair shake. We still haven't really seen what the kid can do. The insistence on playing Watson thirty minutes a game continues to plague this group. You can't have three PGs unless one is Mike Wilks. Delonte is not Mike Wilks. Make a trade or deal with disgruntled players. Management is looking rather pathetic so far.

How can you say Delonte never got a fair shake, he started a number of games for the Sonics.

It's not anyone fault but his own. He did have opportunites. The only person that can control how Delonte plays is Delonte.

It's not like Luke or Watson have been lighting it up. Heck Delonte actually plays D, Good D you would think PJ would be bending over backwards to get him into the rotation.

So obviously the guy's game is out of sinc, but that's not anyone fault but Delonte. Stop sulking and grow a pair.

[AbdicatedReign]

I disagree. NBA players are used to regular minutes. Delonte has been a rotation player since his rookie year. He's used to preparing for a specific role, a specific number of minutes every night. The Sonics never solidified any type of regular spot for him so, with sporadic minutes, of course his game was out of sync. What message does it send that, even if he's playing well, the moment he hits a rough patch, has a couple of turnovers, he's getting pulled and not seeing the floor for the rest of the game? I hardly call that a fair and proper evaluation. There's no pressure to win so why not call Delonte into the office, tell him for the next five games, he'll be the first guard off the bench and get 25 minutes a night and see how he responds? I mean, how long did we sit through Wilkins playing horribly (worst starter in the NBA horribly)? If certain players are allowed to play through their mistakes and keep their roles, why aren't others? Delonte has been the best player on the floor at times for this team; to banish him to the bench and then say he had every opportunity is a cop out and downright false. He's been playing with a short leash from the moment he's put on the green and gold, and the reasons are a mystery to me. But I'm pretty sure it hasn't been a lack of desire and/or effort on Delonte's part.

[jimmywolfrey]

Wiff, How can you say he has gotten a fair shake? He started what 3-5 games? I believe it was on a road trip too. He has only played 30 minutes in a game twice this year. How can you say he has gotten a fair shake? Starting means nothing if you don't get the minutes. Give him 30 minutes a night and overall he'll be a positive player.

This article wasn't Delonte whining at all. You all are missing that. He simply was just restating his situation. He actually said he must have to work harder.

You all already have forgotten the games he has played well. Even last night he played good defense while he was in there. He played Ginobili better than anyone else.

AbdicatedReign, absolutely perfect post. Great point about the short leash. Its just terrible if you ask me.

[wiff]

I disagree. NBA players are used to regular minutes. Delonte has been a rotation player since his rookie year. He's used to preparing for a specific role, a specific number of minutes every night. The Sonics never solidified any type of regular spot for him so, with sporadic minutes, of course his game was out of sync. What message does it send that, even if he's playing well, the moment he hits a rough patch, has a couple of turnovers, he's getting pulled and not seeing the floor for the rest of the game? I hardly call that a fair and proper evaluation. There's no pressure to win so why not call Delonte into the office, tell him for the next five games, he'll be the first guard off the bench and get 25 minutes a night and see how he responds? I mean, how long did we sit through Wilkins playing horribly (worst starter in the NBA horribly)? If certain players are allowed to play through their mistakes and keep their roles, why aren't others? Delonte has been the best player on the floor at times for this team; to banish him to the bench and then say he had every opportunity is a cop out and downright false. He's been playing with a short leash from the moment he's put on the green and gold, and the reasons are a mystery to me. But I'm pretty sure it hasn't been a lack of desire and/or effort on Delonte's part.

Reign you make a good point about being prepared for you regular minutes. I agree with you there. I'm sick of this "Evaluation Period". I can see how that would screw with your head.

That was one thing I loved about Mac 10 everyone of his players had a role and were prepared to do it.

But Ridnour was hurt from day one Delonte had the reigns in his hands. He got plenty of minutes until he got hurt himself.

Injuries happen and you need to come back stronger and willing to scrap or wait for your opportunity.

Remember Flip Murray? He got hurt in preseason, Luke took over and Flip was basically never heard from again because the Sonics kept winning.

You can't tell me that either Luke or Watson have been playing out of their mind. All Delonte has to do to see minutes is to play well and be better than those two jokers.

And I'm sure the "Evaluation Period" is screwing with Luke and Earls head too.

[wiff]

Wiff, How can you say he has gotten a fair shake? He started what 3-5 games? I believe it was on a road trip too. He has only played 30 minutes in a game twice this year. How can you say he has gotten a fair shake? Starting means nothing if you don't get the minutes. Give him 30 minutes a night and overall he'll be a positive player.

This article wasn't Delonte whining at all. You all are missing that. He simply was just restating his situation. He actually said he must have to work harder.

You all already have forgotten the games he has played well. Even last night he played good defense while he was in there. He played Ginobili better than anyone else.

Delonte has had more than 20 minutes 23 out of 34 games. And he had 18-19 minutes 3 games.

Yeah but he nevers gets a chance.

I'd like to see Petro's face when he reads this article.

[Downtown]

Personally, I think Carlisimo has used used West totally wrong this season and I tend to agree with West's asesment of the situation. Early in the season I felt West was at his best coming off the bench as the high energy guy to swing the momentum from the other team. I never thought he was meant to be a starting pointguard. 18 minutes a game was just about right for him.

Then Carlisimo goes into this mad scientist role and starts experimenting with the guard rotations and now nobody seems to know who plays when. It's obvious West is frustrated and his confidence shot. And at this time of the season, with his contract ending after the season, the writings on the wall saying that West will sign elsewhere this offseason for a team that needs a decent backup combo guard.

With Seattle most likely looking at drafting a pointguard I don't see any room for Delonte West in a Sonics jersey next year. It's a shame he never got to get into the groove and play like he did when he was with the Celtics.

[darrendaye]

I can't speak for all Celtic fans, of course. And there were certainly divided lines on the board when West was in Boston. But here are by perspectives and observations....

If you had to label me, I'd be in the "Pro Delonte West" camp. I sense many of us were/are in this camp not that we believe West is a starting level player now, but, many of his inherent traits should project to that level if his head is on straight (read: confident, aggressive, receptive to instruction and direction from coaches...).

His tendancy for injury is an inhibitor. But, even beyond that, he never showed a consistent will to penetrate to the basket with the ball in his hands. As a scorer, this limits his efficiency due to infrequent "freebies" at the charity stripe and as a distributor limits his ability to open space for creating openings for his teammates to get open looks. And, at least last season, he regressed a bit in his confidence to take open shots.

Defensively he gives great effort and toughness, but he doesn't have exceptional lateral quickness. At 6'3-6'4 and a willingness to absorb contact and fight with bigger players, theoretically he should provide a team flexibility in using him at either PG or SG. I sense his best spot would be a shooting PG on offense to match with a ball dominant wing player and an undersized but willing defender of the SG. Unfortunately for the Celts, as I mentioned, he was tentative with shooting kick out jumpers last season when given the opportunity.

While, I think many supporters may not have been so blinded by homerism that they felt his game would explode in coming years, there was/is a sense that his game and production would expand if he achieved more "killer-instinct" in shooting or driving to the basket. He has it in many other parts of his game. My theory is, as he's tried to incorporate a greater focus on trying to drive more frequently, he lost some confidence in other areas, primarily his shooting. I wish him well in the future as I started watching him in college. I hope some day he puts it all together and forms a solid NBA career.

[Mylie10]

After having survived the Carlisimo era at Golden State I've always disliked him. He is a college coach who should have gone back their years ago.

His style is abrasive and he never did settle into consistancy with his rotations while here.

Not saying Spree should have choked him, But I understand! (thank you Chris Rock).

Delonte probably hasn't done enough to warrant starting but this is the NBA and if you have 2 guys who are getting paid millions more than he is, then you can see where the team will lean. Especially if they are trying to move one of them, they must play to get value back.

But if you guys would like to make a deal, I'd propose Mickael Pietrus 6'6" 210 SG/SF. Pietrus can guard the perimeter players very well and is a decent shot blocker from a help standpoint.

you guys could give him the remainder of the year to see if he was worth offering a contract for next year or just let him expire.

Good luck Delonte/ Sonics and great job of knocking off the Spurs. Pleae take out the Hornets, Rockets, Utah, Portland, Denver, and especially the Lakers!!!!

[Shabi__5]

What will it take to get him to Houston?
Will Kirk Snyder and a 1st round pick do it?
Maybe Luther Head and a 2nd?
How about Head and Snyder for Wilkins and West?
You cut 2 years off Wilkins' contract with Snyder.

[Det the Threat]

What will it take to get him to Houston?
Will Kirk Snyder and a 1st round pick do it?
Maybe Luther Head and a 2nd?
How about Head and Snyder for Wilkins and West?
You cut 2 years off Wilkins' contract with Snyder.

Snyder and a 1st could get it done.
Anything else, not so much.

[Frozenropers]

What will it take to get him to Houston?
Will Kirk Snyder and a 1st round pick do it?
Maybe Luther Head and a 2nd?
How about Head and Snyder for Wilkins and West?
You cut 2 years off Wilkins' contract with Snyder.

Well, Wilkins has an opt out clause in his contract after this season, so if he's still in Seattle, he is almost certain to exercise the opt out, so in reality your offer doesn't cut anything off Wilkins contract.


Snyder plus the first is probably what it would take.

[elbowthrower]

I'm certain PJ has flaws as a coach and talent evaluator. But the other guards are so bad right now that I find it really hard to believe that Delonte would go overlooked if he really has been showing promise in practice.

If he can't crack a rotation of Ridnour, Watson and Wilkins, he's doing something wrong.

By the way I don't see this article as him whining at all. In fact I like that he's saying he needs to get in the gym and work harder.

[Dick Tate]

IMO, West will get his chance to be properly "evaluated" in March and April. Currently there are a number of longer term contracts that are being showcased for the trading deadline.

[jimmywolfrey]

Elbowthrower, i disagree... Ridnour and Watson have played pretty well in my opinion... they have distributed the ball decent. What the problem is that the other players aren't scoring that well to make them look good. On defense however, delonte has outplayed the both of them... but PJ i guess doesn't value defense (sarcasm)...