OT- Delonte West arrested on weapons charges

[Tenbomber]

I love basketball, but it's becoming harder it seems every year to cheer for these guys. It almost seems like you'd post your land "No NBA players may enter, all others welcome" just to keep your family and friends safe. Hard to imagine these guys are paid millions to play a game. I know that lumps the good and the bad unfairly together, but as a league the NBA sure seems to have more than their share of trouble.

And they are so worried about steroids in baseball?

Something like this should mean an automatic expulsion from the league!

What kind of example does that set for america's youth?

I used to think Delonte was a good guy with a medical problem...

Now I think he is just another useless gangbanger who dosen't appreciate the millions of $$$ he makes.

Maybe Stern should come down on him hard?

And take the ability to make those millions away?

The NBA needs to make a statement.... JMO

[Tenbomber]

To all those who got all butt hurt about this get some perspective.... it is pretty **** funny. Stupid- yes. Ok ok.. really really stupid- yes. But harybrd especially get some perspective, he didn't kill anyone. He cooperated with the police. Cutting off a cop with 3 loaded guns? That is some craziness but no one got hurt. Don't go crawling up someone's ass over it because you don't share their sense of humor.

Wrong! It's not funny at all!

[SichtingLives]

To all those who got all butt hurt about this get some perspective.... it is pretty **** funny. Stupid- yes. Ok ok.. really really stupid- yes. But harybrd especially get some perspective, he didn't kill anyone. He cooperated with the police. Cutting off a cop with 3 loaded guns? That is some craziness but no one got hurt. Don't go crawling up someone's ass over it because you don't share their sense of humor.

Wrong! It's not funny at all!

Actually, it is a bit funny in the right context, such as the references to Desperado or Mad Max. Can everyone please STFU with the pathetic, canned, artificial, mock outrage for once? That shizz is soooo played out already.

Acting all concerned and judgmental on the internet over events which in no way effect your own life (not to mention ain't much of a big deal) = x1000, especially when heads get all indignant n' matter of fact to top it off. I mean oh my god, he had GUNS!?!?! THREE!?!?! Has anyone contacted the president over this breach of national security???? Lot's of professional athletes are packing. When he shoots someone, I'll stop yawning. Otherwise, meh.

[TonyMontana]

Well I think where he might get screwed is if they were loaded or not. He can claim he was going to a shooting range if they werent loaded. I mean I have taken a couple of my handguns in my backpack when I ride my Chop to the range and as longs as they arent loaded and they are registered then Im okay. In his case they were concealed but he did let the officer know that he was strapped.

[slump]

"Police charged West with two criminal counts of carrying a handgun for the Ruger and the Beretta, and issued him a traffic citation for driving "in excess of reasonable and prudent speed," court records show. Ellis said West was within his rights to carry the shotgun."


West's father, Dmitri West, said, "All I can say is Delonte was looking behind his back and protecting himself." He said his son was looking out for both specific people and because he was generally concerned about his well-being as a high-profile athlete. He declined to say who might be targeting the NBA star

Sounds like two misdemeanors to me, 5 games max. He got off for the shotgun.

On another note, he got pulled over for CUTTING A COP OFF! If I was packing that kind of heat in Largo, MD I would drive perfectly....

So he's got people after him and his first choice of vehicle is one that offers zero protection and screams, "LOOK AT ME!!!" . There's all kinds of stupid going on there.
I still like Delonte so I hope he gets his **** straight.

[Bad-Thoma]

Wrong! It's not funny at all!

Then why did I laugh so hard when I read it?

[Dave_From_NB]

I don't think this story is close to over. I understand that a guy might pack a weapon. Won't agree with it, but can understand it. But a couple of pistols and a shotgun? That makes no sense, you just don't walk around town with that kind of gear straped to you. Once the cops start digging in, there's going to be part 2 and more of this story IMO.

[Bad-Thoma]

To all those who got all butt hurt about this get some perspective.... it is pretty **** funny. Stupid- yes. Ok ok.. really really stupid- yes. But harybrd especially get some perspective, he didn't kill anyone. He cooperated with the police. Cutting off a cop with 3 loaded guns? That is some craziness but no one got hurt. Don't go crawling up someone's ass over it because you don't share their sense of humor.

Wrong! It's not funny at all!

Actually, it is a bit funny in the right context, such as the references to Desperado or Mad Max. Can everyone please STFU with the pathetic, canned, artificial, mock outrage for once? That shizz is soooo played out already.

Acting all concerned and judgmental on the internet over events which in no way effect your own life (not to mention ain't much of a big deal) = x1000, especially when heads get all indignant n' matter of fact to top it off. I mean oh my god, he had GUNS!?!?! THREE!?!?! Has anyone contacted the president over this breach of national security???? Lot's of professional athletes are packing. When he shoots someone, I'll stop yawning. Otherwise, meh.

The part in bold made my day, thanks .

[Celtic Esquire]

I agree with others that we shouldn't worry about this too much. We should have some fun with this.

It's not like D. West killed anyone or even shot himself (ala Plaxico). The guy is rolling around on a three wheeler with two pistols and a shotgun in a guitar case. The image of that alone is worth bumping this thread forever.

[Tenbomber]

Wrong! It's not funny at all!

Then why did I laugh so hard when I read it?

Theres a part of me that wants really badly to say "because you are a moron" but I wont say that...

I let others judge for themselves and save the arguments....

[Tenbomber]

Can everyone please STFU with the pathetic, canned, artificial, mock outrage for once? That shizz is soooo played out already.

Acting all concerned and judgmental on the internet over events which in no way effect your own life (not to mention ain't much of a big deal) = x1000, especially when heads get all indignant n' matter of fact to top it off. I mean oh my god, he had GUNS!?!?! THREE!?!?! Has anyone contacted the president over this breach of national security???? Lot's of professional athletes are packing. When he shoots someone, I'll stop yawning. Otherwise, meh.

You know?... I'm glad I wont be around in another 25 years to see what you young punks have made out of this world...I just hope a few of you come to your senses about a few things...

If you think this whole thing was smart and funny, then you better get your head examined...

[greenbeans]

Everyone! Off tenbombers damn lawn already!!

[Collinto]

So our '06 Celtics backcourt included Tony Allen, Sebastian Telfair and Delonte West...

now that's comical...

[Brett43]

I'm really starting to believe in Danny's brain typing. Or at least he knows enough to get rid of bad seeds.

[SichtingLives]

Can everyone please STFU with the pathetic, canned, artificial, mock outrage for once? That shizz is soooo played out already.

Acting all concerned and judgmental on the internet over events which in no way effect your own life (not to mention ain't much of a big deal) = x1000, especially when heads get all indignant n' matter of fact to top it off. I mean oh my god, he had GUNS!?!?! THREE!?!?! Has anyone contacted the president over this breach of national security???? Lot's of professional athletes are packing. When he shoots someone, I'll stop yawning. Otherwise, meh.

You know?... I'm glad I wont be around in another 25 years to see what you young punks have made out of this world...I just hope a few of you come to your senses about a few things...

If you think this whole thing was smart and funny, then you better get your head examined...

Interesting how you cut off the part where I say it's funny given the appropriate context. Curious, even. Or adding the "smart" to it for effect, lead much?? But whatever. You're clearly the voice of reason who sees this as cause for "expulsion from the league".

On another note...you're glad you'll be dead in another 25 years? Glad?? wtf? I don't think I'm the one who needs to get their head checked, friend.

[Bad-Thoma]

Wrong! It's not funny at all!

Then why did I laugh so hard when I read it?

Theres a part of me that wants really badly to say "because you are a moron" but I wont say that...

I let others judge for themselves and save the arguments....

I could say the same about the butt-hurt reaction to something that doesn't affect you and where no one got hurt.... but I won't say that and I'll let others judge for themselves.

[Bad-Thoma]

You know?... I'm glad I wont be around in another 25 years to see what you young punks have made out of this world...I just hope a few of you come to your senses about a few things...

If you think this whole thing was smart and funny, then you better get your head examined...

C'mon man, get real. I have absolutely no criminal record, live in a peaceful quiet town and am a responsible father. I'm productively self-employed. I haven't even had a speeding ticket in over a decade. No one called what Delonte did smart, I think if you read back you'll see I even called it really, really stupid. However, it's funny to me just for the sheer craziness factor. So that makes me a young punk, and anyone else that isn't outraged by this wierdness? Remove your head from your ass.

[Da_James_Gang]

Something that could be of some use to people and give people more of an understanding of what West/the Cavs go through.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... rrest.html

Delonte West's firearms arrest another challenge for the Cleveland Cavaliers
By Brian Windhorst
September 19, 2009, 9:39PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There’s no doubt that Delonte West was in the wrong for speeding on a motorcycle with three loaded guns when he was pulled over by police in suburban Washington D.C. Thursday night. After that, though, not much is cut and dry.

The last 12 months have been a constant and complex balancing act for West and the Cavaliers, who dearly love their hard-nosed guard’s personality and ability. What to do about this latest situation might prove the most dicey.

Though they would never talk about these issues publicly and discuss it very little privately, it has been a challenge for the team on how to handle West.

Last August, West was charged with marijuana possession in Prince George’s County, Md., while he was a restricted free agent and the Cavs were in a contract stalemate with him. The team had a difficult decision because it places a high value on character within the locker room. Usually this would be a red flag on any free agent.

So they had several long talks with him and then did some checking on the facts. Ultimately, they decided to trust him and gave him a three-year contract worth $12.6 million. It turned out to be fair -- after investigation the district attorney dropped the charges against West a few weeks after he signed the contract.

During a training camp practice last season West exploded at a referee and then teammates and coaches who tried to break it up. It was a stunning mood switch for a player who is often easygoing, never seems to budge under pressure on the floor and usually is cracking jokes.

Shortly after that, West left the team to get treatment for a mood disorder that he said he’s battled his whole life. His teammates were quite supportive. The team wanted to do whatever it could to help him from time off to treatment to simple positive re-enforcement.

When he returned, West opened himself up to the fans by talking about his struggle with bipolar disorder. It not only endeared him even more to the fan base that was attracted to his style of play and personality, but also to people who have battled mood disorders and depression. Mail poured into the Cavs from people who West had inspired.

West then went out and had the best season of his career, his first as a full-time starter. He was a significant factor in the Cavs winning 66 games. But behind the scenes there was never a doubt that he was often battling with his emotional problems.

Some games West would sit in his uniform at his locker for an hour after the game staring into space. Sometimes he would refuse to talk to anyone. Other times he would be his jovial self, cracking up the locker room and fitting into the team’s pregame “family photos.” He filmed several segments for the ESPN show “Jim Rome is Burning,” showcasing his dry sense of humor that made him a YouTube hit.

But he also often came to games late, even showing up to a home playoff game an hour before tipoff. Once, at a game in Los Angeles, West wasn’t on the bench when he was introduced as a starter and no one on the team seemed to know where he was for a few minutes.

Those episodes, however, never seemed to affect his play. Trying to be supportive, the team apparently gave him plenty of space. The media, appreciative of how open he’d been and sensitive to his battle, looked the other way.

It was the same this summer when another YouTube video appeared of West and a friend waiting for their food to be cooked in a KFC drive-thru. Making jokes and freestyle rapping, West was quite funny. But numerous people left comments that it wasn’t funny because it appeared he was under the influence of something.

Whatever the circumstances, the image couldn’t have made the team happy even as they continued to try to be supportive of West’s issues.

Which leads to this current situation. It likely will come out in time just what West’s state of mind was as he traveled down the highway with the guns. His father told The Washington Post, “all I can say is Delonte was looking behind his back and protecting himself” and hinted he was concerned for his safety for some reason.

No matter what, it isn’t going to be as simple as West did something wrong and then he’ll be punished. There are gray areas and decisions the Cavs may have to make about how to deal with West. How they can continue to try to help him, how to understand him. Or perhaps even where they should draw the line.

[Dirty Water]

Wrong! It's not funny at all!

Then why did I laugh so hard when I read it?

Theres a part of me that wants really badly to say "because you are a moron" but I wont say that...

I let others judge for themselves and save the arguments....

I laughed too. You're alone.

[Scalamental]

Damn.