Mavericks suspend Delonte West; frustrated West responds on Twitter
This marks the second time the Mavericks have suspended Delonte West this preseason. (Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
By Ben Golliver
It looks like the Dallas Mavericks have decided that accountability for guard Delonte West will come in a public manner.
For the second time this preseason, the Mavericks have suspended West. A press release issued Thursday noted that West has been "suspended indefinitely" due to "conduct detrimental to the team."
“We have suspended Delonte for conduct detrimental to the team,” President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. “The suspension is effective immediately and no other statements will be issued.”
ESPNDallas.com reported the details of the suspension, including a brief explanation from coach Rick Carlisle.
"Hopefully, we can get it resolved quickly," Carlisle said Tuesday, adding that he and President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson would meet with West later in the day.
Sources told ESPNDallas.com that West's suspension stems from an outburst in the locker room after the Mavs' 123-104 preseason win Monday over the Houston Rockets, although it wasn't immediately known what made West so upset.
The Mavericks previously suspended West for a preseason game against the Houston Rockets. That situation was handled relatively smoothly and he was reinstated quickly.
West, 29, has battled bipolar disorder and was arrested in 2009 while weaving in and out of traffic on a motorcycle with a shotgun strapped to his back. Last season, West drew headlines for saying that his gun charges led the Secret Service to ban him from the Mavericks' White House visit, a statement the Secret Service later denied. West has also launched into at least one profane rant at a media member on his Twitter account, issuing an apology after the fact.
On Thursday, West posted a series of messages regarding the suspension on his verified Twitter account, @CharleeRedz13.
That my name showin up in any fashion in a negative light is the worst thing that can happen.everything Ived worked towards out d window
Just ask u to talk with me....I'm a grown man...that's not above logic and reason...Before u go to the papers wit false information.
If I'm not what u lookin 4 ....That's fine...just dont kick me in my ass on the way out the door....I didn't do anything to deserve that...
I love the city of Dallas..I love playin in the NBA...no I'm not off my meds...no I ain't on no bipolar trip...this real people lives..
And it just ain't right..imma leave it at that..no ill will towards no one...I'm just sittin here across from the arena wit tear in my eyes
As Rob Mahoney has noted here at The Point Forward, West, despite his flaws, is one of the better values in the NBA, given his minimum-salary contract. The Mavericks have plenty of bodies in their backcourt, but West's hard-nosed defense, ability to play without the ball and his skill in creating off the dribble for himself and others will be missed however long he is out.
The Mavericks will play their preseason finale against the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday. Dallas' regular-season opener is set for next Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.
