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JohnWallace44
Posts: 25119
Alba Posts: 1
Joined: 6/14/2005
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USA
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What is going on with this dude?
Cavs: West's absence unexcused
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Associated Press
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Troubled Cavaliers guard Delonte West did not show up for Cleveland's first practice and his absence was unexcused.
Cavs coach Mike Brown said West did not participate in the team's first workout of training camp at Cleveland Clinic Courts on Tuesday and did not know if West would be at the evening session.
West was recently arrested for gun possession in Maryland after police pulled over his three-wheel motorcycle for a traffic violation and found he was carrying three loaded weapons -- two handguns and a shotgun in a guitar case he had on his back.
West was charged with two counts of possessing a concealed handgun, which is a misdemeanor in Maryland. He has a court date on Nov. 20.
West, who has battled mood disorders for years, was in good spirits on Monday at the team's media day. He said he had resumed taking his medications and was focused on this season and playing basketball. West downplayed his recent arrest, saying once the details were known "you'll see that it's not as big as some are making it."
Brown said general manager Danny Ferry was handling the missed practice matter. Ferry did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
"On a personal note, you always hope he's doing well," Brown said of West. "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."
West left the team during training camp last season to get treatment for bipolar disorder, an illness he said he has been dealing with for years. West returned to the team renewed and talked openly about his battles with depression and mood swings.
He wound up having his best all-around season as a pro, averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He also shot a career-best 40 percent from 3-point range and averaged a career-high in steals while helping the Cavs win 66 games, a franchise record.
West made 64 starts, another 14 in the playoffs, and was arguably the Cavs' second-most productive player in the postseason after LeBron James.
West could face a suspension from the NBA pending the outcome of his legal matter.
Alan Hahn:
Nate Robinson has been on a ridonkulous scoring tear lately (remember when he couldn't hit Jerome James with a Big Mac in early January?)
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9/18/2009 7:47 PM
