Never Mind - Please lock (Delonte's DNP-CD)

Barry Lird · Post #1 » by **Barry Lird** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:40 pm

Saw this on CBlog and thought I'd pass it along:

This from Percy Allen's article in yesterday's Seattle Times:

"For months Delonte West has resisted the urge to publicly criticize coach P.J. Carlesimo or the Sonics opting instead to say all the right things or stay quiet when asked about his lack of playing time and his uncertain future.

After tonight's game, things got a little weird.

While most players hurriedly dressed - a few literally ran out of the lockerroom to catch red-eye flights - to begin their All-Star break, West sat on a stool in full uniform with his elbows on his knees and a towel draped over his head. Conceivably he was upset about a second straight DNP-CD.

The media entered the locker room at about 9:40 p.m. and I was the last reporter to leave at 10:05 p.m. and West hadn't moved an inch. The only other player in the room was Nick Collison who was fully dressed and walking out. Several players tapped West on the shoulders and assistant Scott Brooks offered a few comforting words, but nothing got him to move.

I asked Wally Szczerbiak, who played with West last season in Boston, if I should ask West a question and Wally said: "You might want to wait until next week."

That is assuming West is with the team for Monday's practice.

It's no secret he's never embraced the trade to Seattle. He still hasn't unpacked the boxes in his apartment and openly admits that he he has no clue what the team expects from him or what his role is, which is unbelievable after 51 games."

Should have checked before I posted. I wondered about trading Gabe and a second, or the TPE we got for Delonte and a second... but, neither work salary wise, so sorry for wasting 20 seconds of your lives. Please lock.

CeltsfanSinceBirth · Post #2 » by **CeltsfanSinceBirth** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:48 pm

Barry Lird wrote:Saw this on CBlog and thought I'd pass it along:

This from Percy Allen's article in yesterday's Seattle Times:

"For months Delonte West has resisted the urge to publicly criticize coach P.J. Carlesimo or the Sonics opting instead to say all the right things or stay quiet when asked about his lack of playing time and his uncertain future.

After tonight's game, things got a little weird.

While most players hurriedly dressed - a few literally ran out of the lockerroom to catch red-eye flights - to begin their All-Star break, West sat on a stool in full uniform with his elbows on his knees and a towel draped over his head. Conceivably he was upset about a second straight DNP-CD.

The media entered the locker room at about 9:40 p.m. and I was the last reporter to leave at 10:05 p.m. and West hadn't moved an inch. The only other player in the room was Nick Collison who was fully dressed and walking out. Several players tapped West on the shoulders and assistant Scott Brooks offered a few comforting words, but nothing got him to move.

I asked Wally Szczerbiak, who played with West last season in Boston, if I should ask West a question and Wally said: "You might want to wait until next week."

That is assuming West is with the team for Monday's practice.

It's no secret he's never embraced the trade to Seattle. He still hasn't unpacked the boxes in his apartment and openly admits that he he has no clue what the team expects from him or what his role is, which is unbelievable after 51 games."

My question is, if he's on the outs in Seattle, and he apparently is, would you guys offer up Gabe and 2nd for him? I would.

Probably not. I love Delonte West, but I don't see how he'd significantly improve this team. He's a more experienced version of Gabe. He's Eddie House with better D, but a lesser jumpshot. With Danny's ability to draft gems in the 2nd round, I say we just keep what we have right now. If Eddie House happens to leave for another team after this season, then D-West definitely becomes an option.

Barry Lird · Post #3 » by **Barry Lird** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:54 pm

Eh, I noticed that Gabe's contract would not be sufficient, and Delonte's TPE we got is only for 1,080,480, so that's out too.

Oh well. Lock this. Note to self: Research before hitting send.

Post #4 » by **sully00** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:11 pm

We can't trade for him at all until 1 year after the trade. Perhaps they will release him after the trade deadline they aren't playing him and they aren't going to risk paying him 2.7 mil by tendering him.

He certainly would help our cause and he can't be getting any less mins than he is getting now.

DorfonCeltics · Post #5 » by **DorfonCeltics** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:32 pm

I feel really bad for Del. He's simply stuck in a **** situation and it's really too bad. Despite many posters on RealGM feeling he isn't worth a bag of balls, Delonte is a good guy and by all accounts a great teammate. I hope somebody gives him a shot next year.

Celts17Pride · Post #6 » by **Celts17Pride** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:49 pm

I would take Delonte back in a heartbeat only if he understood that he would be a role player for the Celtics. His playing time would be 10-20 minutes a night. He wouldn't start in place of Rondo or Ray. If Delonte could handle that then bring him back because he is very useful player. IMO.

cisco · Post #7 » by **cisco** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:39 pm

Celts17Pride wrote:I would take Delonte back in a heartbeat only if he understood that he would be a role player for the Celtics. His playing time would be 10-20 minutes a night. He wouldn't start in place of Rondo or Ray. If Delonte could handle that then bring him back because he is very useful player. IMO.

One of the problems with bringing Delonte back is that he will NOT understand. He sulked when he lost the starting job to Telfair then Rondo. He wouldn't fare any better here when there would be 3 players ahead of him on the depth chart (Rondo, House and Tony). Who would want Delonte to play over Rondo, House or Tony, all of whom are better players than West? There just isn't room here for him, as no way he would be happy being the 10th or 12th man on the team. He'd have a better chance to get playing time on a bad team, because he wouldn't get much time, if any at all on a team like the Celtics loaded with talent better than him at the positions he plays. He could possibly be a fit in Cleveland where he might get some playing time behind Gibson.

humblebum · Post #8 » by **humblebum** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:40 pm

I'm not a big Delonte guy and I wouldn't trade any current Celtic pieces to get him but if he got cut loose from Seattle he wouldn't be a "bad" pickup. He's actually got the right type of build to match up with a Chauncey Billups while he's probably a "little" bit more under control as a ball handler than Tony Allen.

The problem becomes that there isn't much of a place for him on this team with Tony and Eddie off the bench. Delonte would most likely struggle with the type of limited role he'd have with the Celtics. But at the same time this situation seems to be one where Delonte could thrive. He'd get plenty of wide open looks and driving lanes. He'd have good protection behind him with KG and Perk on the defensive end.

I'm not saying it's a match made in heaven by any means and Delonte is nothing more than a decent 9-12th man in the league. But in the proper situation he could be a solid option for a playoff team. He certainly brings it from an energy standpoint. If he'd fall in line with the whole Ubuntu thing we got going on (which I think is questionable) he'd most likely be a decent fit.

celticfan42487 · Post #9 » by **celticfan42487** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:35 pm

I'd trade Scal and a second for Delonte in a heartbeat. I've never heard anything but him beign a team player and a hard worker.

Delonte would be like a mini Rondo on D, and have a three. Our schemes wouldn't change much with his great help D and help rebounding. And I think he's big enough to actually bother Billups a little bit.

I'm sure he'd be fine with a 15mpg role.

greenbeans · Post #10 » by **greenbeans** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:48 pm

haha, the one thread that actually calls to be deleted isnt, thats great

GregB · Post #11 » by **GregB** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:54 pm

sully00 wrote:We can't trade for him at all until 1 year after the trade. Perhaps they will release him after the trade deadline they aren't playing him and they aren't going to risk paying him 2.7 mil by tendering him.

He certainly would help our cause and he can't be getting any less mins than he is getting now.

From what I read, We can trade for him.

The rule is you can't trade back for a player within the same NBA year. The NBA year starts July 1st. West was traded in june.

Post #12 » by **ParticleMan** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:19 am

If Eddie House demands too much money next season I'd be fine with bringing Delonte back. I don't think he sulked any more than anyone else on our team last year. It was a crappy situation. Winners aren't happy if they aren't winning, and aren't being given a chance to win. I think Delonte is a winner. I'd take him back in a heartbeat. Other than Al he was the only guy I was truly sorry to see leave. Well ok maybe Ryan too.

Celts17Pride · Post #13 » by **Celts17Pride** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:17 am

I love Delonte but right now Eddie House is what is best for the Celtics. The main reason is because House accepts his role. I really think if Delonte was back on the Celtics he would think that he should be the starting point guard. Doesn't work.

EdSkae · Post #14 » by **EdSkae** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:03 am

Celts17Pride wrote:I love Delonte but right now Eddie House is what is best for the Celtics. The main reason is because House accepts his role. I really think if Delonte was back on the Celtics he would think that he should be the starting point guard. Doesn't work.

Right now for the Celtics it is about winning a championship. DWest could be useful defending Billups in the playoffs. I would take him back in a heartbeat.

TheSheriff · Post #15 » by **TheSheriff** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:24 am

I liked West. I think he will find himself as a useful role player on some team next year, even if it isn't the celtics.

Falstaff · Post #16 » by **Falstaff** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:12 am

I'd take West as well. I think he'd be useful, for reasons already given above, and I think maybe after his time in Seattle, he may have more appreciation for having a role on the team. My question is - would he want to come back. From what I remember, he wasn't thrilled about being traded, and felt betrayed by Danny Ainge. But maybe I'm wrong there.

GuyClinch · Post #17 » by **GuyClinch** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:42 am

West has serious issues. Why people want a guy who can't crack the rotation on an awful team, and is shooting under 40% on the season is beyond me. He is a 2 guard in a 1's body and a shooter who can't shoot. No team needs a player like that.

Eddie House is much better. He is confident with his shot and be trusted to just HURT teams with it. Tell the truth - how many times have you seen Eddie just BURN teams with a well timed J. Delonte never did that. When your talking about a bench player (and that's what the sulking West should accept that he is) you look for ONE notable skill out of them. One thing they do at a very high level to get you burn. For Eddie it's shooting. For a guy like Powe it's rebounding and so on. D. West does NOTHING at a top level in the NBA. That's a real problem. Bench players NEED a niche. No one gets time by being medicore at everything.

Delonte is well on his way to playing his way out of this league. It happens alot to your AAAA players.

He has lost his backer in Ainge who discarded him. And he is getting no PT in a contract year. Joe Forte would understand as he also ended up in Seattle and where he was unsuccesful in converting to a PG.

It's looking very likely that Europe will be his best option as he isn't going to get an MLE contract with no burn - and a good european contract should net him more money then what can get here.

D. West could POSSIBLY get lucky and see minutes on a team like Cleveland but barring that he runs the a huge risk of slipping through the woodwork. The big problem is that he will now be competing against guys selected by OTHER GMs then Ainge. And those guys will push for their guys. When your a AAAA player that can spell doom.

West is going to need a bit of luck to pull out of this mess. A trade to some team desperately short in the guard department or a few injuries or something like that. he needs to make a splash NOW.

People think I hate West but I feel bad for him - delusions of grandeur in a rather untalented basketball player. He must feel it all slipping away. From Tommy's golden boy to DNP-CD's in nowheresville. Seems like a nice guy but that's not enough in this league. You need some TALENT especially when your only 6'1.5" tall.

Alas he is like Jiri Welsch another hyped up untalented player that was endlessly pimped on this board. Welsch went to Europe I think. D. West needs to do the same. His game should be fine for that level of play.

Pete

GuyClinch · Post #18 » by **GuyClinch** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:47 am

Right now for the Celtics it is about winning a championship. DWest could be useful defending Billups in the playoffs. I would take him back in a heartbeat.

West is even scrawnier then Rondo? How the heck can he defend a beast like Billups? Your being ridiculous. The only "PG" who has the body to match up against Billups that we have is Tony Allen who is about the same size if not quite as strong.

With regards to matching up against Billups I would take House over West (with Tony being the best) at least House can probably bench Billups weight. If we want a Billups "stopper" we should probably go after Deron Williams or Derek Fisher. Those guys have the kind of body type to match up with Billups.

Pete

Barry Lird · Post #19 » by **Barry Lird** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:54 pm

GuyClinch wrote:...Delonte is well on his way to playing his way out of this league. It happens alot to your AAAA players.
...
He has lost his backer in Ainge who discarded him. And he is getting no PT in a contract year. Joe Forte would understand as he also ended up in Seattle and where he was unsuccesful in converting to a PG....
...
Alas he is like Jiri Welsch another hyped up untalented player that was endlessly pimped on this board. Welsch went to Europe I think. D. West needs to do the same. His game should be fine for that level of play.

Pete

No chance West will be out of the league any time soon. He's no world beater, but he's definitely an NBA player. We all watched him have quite a few really nice games.

I was talking about bringing in Delonte as a 3rd guard on the cheap (even though I subsequently realized that what I had in mind (Gabe and a second, or the TPE and a second) weren't feasible.

Just because he's on the outs with Carlessimo does not mean he's not an NBA player. There is some middle ground between being a world beater and playing himself out of the league, and that's where Delonte is.

No chance he'll be in Europe next year. That's just ridiculous. He'll be on an NBA squad next year.

He has lost his backer in Ainge who discarded him

Danny didn't "discard him" like yesterday's garbage. He was part of what it took to get the Allen deal done.

He'd be a really nice pickup as a third/insurance guard who you can plug in at the 1 or 2. Nothing more and nothing less. In that role, I think Danny'd be pleased to have him.

GuyClinch · Post #20 » by **GuyClinch** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:07 pm

No chance West will be out of the league any time soon. He's no world beater, but he's definitely an NBA player. We all watched him have quite a few really nice games.

There are alot of fringe players that could have really nice NBA games. Gerald Green had the occasional nice game - so what. The reality is that ever year your competing with 60 or so drafted players as well as 30+ undrafted European and D. League guys who could and should play in the NBA. That's 30+ guaranteed spots and at least half as many 2nd round picks will make their team. Almost all these guys COULD put up 10ppg in the NBA if given minutes. Mike James ring a bell?

Like I said the problem is that West is now will be competing against guys who are drafted by their different GMs. It's much tougher. D. West might CHOOSE to be out of the league because of the money involved. His offers will be so low that Europe is likely a superior option.

Pete