Vice Sports sat down with former Cleveland Cavalier Delonte West, and West, the man who’s struggled with bipolar disorder and has become a “boogey man” among NBA pundits and executives, is still just looking for a shot. More than anything, he wants a chance to prove that he’s become a better player and a better person.
Some headlines have suggested that in the interview, West admits to having slept with LeBron James’ mom. But that’s not true. In a segment when he’s talking about his young son, Cash, he says that he doesn’t want his own actions to affect his son’s life, but in a general way.
“I didn’t want to name him Delonte West Jr. just because of that,” West says. “I don’t want my son going to school and people making fun of him for something his daddy did… ‘Oh, didn’t your daddy have sex with LeBron’s mama?’ Man, I don’t need to deal with all that, man.”
West calls his years in Cleveland some of the best of his career — “I wasn’t the main man, but I was the man next to the man,” he says — and explains the very real ramifications his mental illness has had on his earning power and league perceptions.
West continues to reveal himself to be an infinitely sympathetic figure: “What I always wanted,” West says, “is a family, is someone to sit court side and cheer for me.”
We’re cheering for you man.
This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2014.
I think its incredibly sad that in this day and age people are so uneducated about mental illness. Its an illness like any other. This ignorant stigma prevents people, especially men, from talking about this and getting the help they need.
And if we can rally to bring LeBron home after feeling slighted, cant we find room to bring Delonte home too? He’s done nothing to hurt anyone. He’s just fighting his own demons, openly and with honesty. That takes courage and heart. I hope Im not the only one who sees that.
I totally agree with Stephanie!
Would love to see him back with the Cavs!
Google “Delonte West KFC”. That video will change your life.
I also have bipolar disorder and have experienced the stigma of society because of their ignorance. If you are under the care of a psychiatrist and compliant width your dr’s plan/take your medication there is no reason you can live a most “normal” life. We that deal with the disorder everyday of our lives still do experience mood swings, mainly depression, but the swings are very minimal thank god with the help of medications. We are not out there running crazy and shooting up the town which most of society unfortunately believes. Every time something tragic happens and is in the news people assume that all people with mental illness are ticking time bombs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Please educate yourself about bipolar disorder. I feel terrible because of the stigma delonte is experiencing. The NBA should be ashamed of themselves by assuming delonte is broken. So what are they doing? They are kicking a man when he is down all because he has an illness. Would they ostrisize delonte if he had diabetes? I think not. Lebron James has the clout and compassion to help bring delonte back to cleveland or at least advocate for him to get into another NBA team. I’m praying for you Delonte.
My unfortunate typo. There is no reaso you CAN’T live a normal life!
Beautiful family! They need to be cheering for him court side!!
I have always been a supporter of Delonte. He is a very skilled athlete who is now in a good place with a beautiful family. I would love too see him back in the nba, especially in Cleveland:)
I also always really liked Delonte West, and if my heart or a PR firm were calling the shots, then he’d be back with the Cavs. Unfortunately, we’re going strictly on what kind of player he still is at this point, and I don’t feel he’d be a strong addition to the Cavs. It’s unfortunate, but just how it goes sometimes. That being said, I hope he finds a home with a team soon, and has his family there to cheer for him courtside.