Delonte West seeks job security


Delonte West has had one of the most interesting careers in the NBA thus far.  Playing for awful teams (2006 Celtics anyone?) to pairing up in Cleveland during Lebron's best years.  The one thing that Delonte has never been able to achieve is job security.  Always playing for that next contract has kept him hungry, but even with a longer contract, Delonte will still give everything he has.  Julian Benbow has a fantastic piece on Delonte at Boston.com today.   Below are a few quotes from Delonte:
“It’s all about the perception that can be embedded in people’s mind from bad decisions I’ve made,’’ said West.

“I’m a real person,’’ he said. “My goal for the summer was repairing the image.’’

“My biggest thing that I haven’t had since I’ve been in the league really is comfort,’’ he said. “I haven’t had anyone say, ‘We actually believe what you can do.’ ’’
“Because I was pulled over, now I’m a league minimum player?’’ West said. “I’m one of those guys that have to keep proving myself over and over again. That’s been the story of my life, and that’s OK.’’
Delonte also spoke briefly the emotions of playing for the Seattle Supersonics during their last season in Washington state.
“You didn’t know what to expect,’’ he said. “Playing that season, that half a season, just not knowing if we were going to leave or go to a different city. Things were in boxes. There wasn’t that settled feeling.’’
He also spoke about the requirements the Celtics front office had on him this past year with his legal and personal problems.

“But at the same time, that’s all right if that’s what it takes,’’ he said. “You’d be surprised what some people would do to be able to put on an NBA jersey."
“So if had to call four times a day to let my team owner know where I’m at, or if they wanted me to let them know when I got back from Costco, I’m willing to do that.’’
You have got to feel for Delonte.  Slam held an interview with West regarding his gun charges and his explanation about how his 'Ma Dukes' was screaming at him to remove all the weapons in the house because she didn't want them around.  Clearly, everyone has made mistakes, if only Delonte took a vehicle that wasn't a motorcycle while on his prescriptions, the situation could have been avoided.  Delonte then speaks of the up coming free agency period and his future.
“If I was comfortable somewhere, I’d have no problem being in that sixth man type of talk,’’ he said. “I could be that guy that could be in the Sixth Man of the Year type conversation.’’

“Eight years in, I’ve had the young mistakes,’’ he said. “I’ve put those behind me. I’ve shown that I can play this game at a high level, hit the tough shot. I’m ready to go. Wherever fits right.’’
I know I would love to have him back wearing Celtic green next year.  He has proven to be a big time player and will do whatever his team needs him to do.  The question I have for our readers is, would you want Delonte back?