Delonte West Says Suspension By Mavericks is Unfair


by Marcel Mutoni@marcel_mutoni

The second suspension for Delonte West appears to have been the final straw in Dallas. The Mavericks have decided to move on, but West claims that he’s being scapegoated.

According to Delonte West, the Mavericks are blaming him for an argument that took place between two other teammates, and that he was an innocent bystander.

Per ESPN:

It was the second time the team suspended West in two weeks, although the first suspension lasted only 21 hours, ending after West met with coach Rick Carlisle and president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson. The source said both suspensions stemmed from frequent behavioral missteps by West, an eight-year veteran who was a valuable role player for the Mavs last season, averaging 9.6 points and 3.2 assists while playing tenacious defense at both guard spots.

When reached on Thursday morning, West said he was being blamed for an argument between teammates after the Mavs’ 88-76 exhibition loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night in Wichita, Kan. He said he got a text Thursday morning telling him not to come to the American Airlines Center for practice. “There was an argument between two teammates in the locker room last night that didn’t involve me,” said West, who had two points, one assist and three turnovers in 21 minutes against the Thunder. “Somehow I’m being blamed for it. I had nothing to do with it. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Delonte West vented on Twitter yesterday once his suspension became public, maintaining his innocence. According to multiple published reports, West’s frustrations stem from his contract situation (a one-year veteran minimum deal) and concerns about playing time.

For what it’s worth, Delonte West’s now former teammates in Dallas (and elsewhere) had mostly positive things to say about the veteran guard.