Delonte West: "Signs point to me being back" - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Underdog · 05-22-2012, 07:22 AM

Mavericks guard Delonte West dishes on his desire to return to the Dallas, how he feels about Dirk Nowitzki, his relationship with LeBron James and how he ended up hanging out with Dez Bryant over the weekend.

Quote:

On if he expects to return to the Mavericks:

"Yeah, definitely. It's in the Lord's hands and he'll work it out that way but all signs point to me being back here. First and foremost I definitely understand how Rick Carlisle wants to play. What he feels is the right recipe for success ... and that fits to my game. Then I'm the ultimate team player man, you know I can do so much. That's why I really don't do one thing great, cause I do everything good."

On his offseason plans:

"Well my season just began, ya know. It's tough not to stay in the gym because first of all we went out not the way we wanted to, No. 1, so that's tough to swallow. No. 2, you can't go on vacation, those guys are still playing the playoffs. They're still getting better every day, every game, so every day I try to find myself in the gym once or twice a day and try to keep that same high level and keep my body ready. You stay ready you don't have to get ready."

nowhereman · 05-22-2012, 07:40 AM

Awesome. I love what he brings on and off the floor - so long as we can avoid that deadly Terry/West pairing that killed us defensively all year.

jleefilled · 05-22-2012, 09:21 AM

I don't know if West is intentionally being funny or not, but I find his "I'm not great at any one thing because I'm good at everything" to be quite hilarious. I would welcome this guy back.

Kante · 05-22-2012, 09:23 AM

I would take him back, no question!

Underdog · 05-22-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nowhereman

Awesome. I love what he brings on and off the floor - so long as we can avoid that deadly Terry/West pairing that killed us defensively all year.

I have a feeling that half of that equation won't be in a Mavs uniform next season...

mavs777 · 05-22-2012, 03:30 PM

Love it.

BGMaverick9 · 05-22-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nowhereman

Awesome. I love what he brings on and off the floor - so long as we can avoid that deadly Terry/West pairing that killed us defensively all year.

As UD stated, you're getting one or the other back next year more than likely...both seems a little far-fetched.

markus1234 · 05-22-2012, 03:47 PM

West is OK, he should come back. But he did not impress me much as a "core" player. His defense was average at best and his decision making reminded me of JJB 3-4yrs ago.

Bottom line,... his role should be much smaller next season.

Underdog · 05-22-2012, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

As UD stated, you're getting one or the other back next year more than likely...both seems a little far-fetched.

If both Terry and Delonte are on the Mavs roster next season, then it'll be because something went horribly wrong this summer...

BGMaverick9 · 05-22-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markus1234

West is OK, he should come back. But he did not impress me much as a "core" player. His defense was average at best and his decision making reminded me of JJB 3-4yrs ago.

Bottom line,... his role should be much smaller next season.

No one has said he was a core player. He's a player who is pretty valuable based on his versatility on offense and as an additional weapon as an option for a defender. He's likely a guy who pads stats on a crappy team, but is a guy that most teams will truly value who have championship aspirations.

Side-note, I think his performance vs OKC in the Playoffs is still skewed. He basically played in the series climbing uphill with the nasty food issue he had to deal with. He didn't look very spry or full of life leading up to Game 1.

Erod · 05-22-2012, 04:54 PM

Well, Howard and DWilliams sure as hell ain't on their way here, so West's chances are looking dandy.

mavs777 · 05-22-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markus1234

West is OK, he should come back. But he did not impress me much as a "core" player. His defense was average at best and his decision making reminded me of JJB 3-4yrs ago.

Bottom line,... his role should be much smaller next season.

Saying his defense was average at best shows what you know about basketball.

DevinHarriswillstart · 05-22-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erod

Well, Howard and DWilliams sure as hell ain't on their way here, so West's chances are looking dandy.

mavs777 · 05-22-2012, 06:24 PM

The perfect situation for Delonte is if both Kidd and Deron are on board to come back, he could then get all of his minutes at his natural position at SG, he dribbles a bit too much and at PG that hurts ball rotations at times, but his defense and ability at the 2 position is perfect. In a perfect world Deron signs here and Kidd resigns for a realistic amount as well as West maybe you draft terrence ross. Roster so far

PG: Deron/Kidd
SG: West/Roddy/Terrence Ross
SF: Marion/ FA/ Terrence Ross
PF: Dirk/ FA
C: FA/ Brandon Wright/Ian Mahinmi

Scott McGuire · 05-23-2012, 03:30 AM

I'm hoping we lock up Delonte on the cheap for 2 or 3 years. 2.5 million a year would be what I'd want. He's a winning rotation player. He's the kind of guy you see on Denver/Indiana/Philadelphia. He doesn't take anything off the board while providing good defense, good shooting, and decent passing. What do you guys think it will cost to retain him?

I think we can trust him with Rick coaching. His toughness was solidified for me when he had that gruesome finger injury and didn't flinch. If Wade had done that to his finger he would have needed a stretcher and a maybe a neck brace.

Sportstudi · 05-23-2012, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markus1234

West is OK, he should come back. But he did not impress me much as a "core" player. His defense was average at best and his decision making reminded me of JJB 3-4yrs ago.

Bottom line,... his role should be much smaller next season.

sike · 05-23-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

If both Terry and Delonte are on the Mavs roster next season, then it'll be because something went horribly wrong this summer...

I tend agree...but I'm also ready to admit that I have NO IDEA how this off season is going to go down.

Other than my tendency to be a pessimistic fan, I'm willing to wait to see if the Front Office can pull off something surprising.

markus1234 · 05-23-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstudi

Ask Westbrook and Harden how great he was. Ask Derek Fisher, too. lol.

West could not guard ANYONE during the playoffs (not quick and physical enough). And he played 6th most minutes on our team, which is a huge role in a playoff series. If you play such a big role as a defensive stopper, then you better do your (defensive) job on a very high level. And not on a level slightly better than Jet Terry.

Scott McGuire · 05-23-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markus1234

Ask Westbrook and Harden how great he was. Ask Derek Fisher, too. lol.

West could not guard ANYONE during the playoffs (not quick and physical enough). And he played 6th most minutes on our team, which is a huge role in a playoff series. If you play such a big role as a defensive stopper, then you better do your (defensive) job on a very high level. And not on a level slightly better than Jet Terry.

Can we judge his defense over the whole of his time here instead of 4 games when he was sick? You can't stop people from making pull up jumpers. Westbrook and Harden are all-world offensive players. Fisher was hitting shots because he made pact with someone evil to punish Mav and Spur fans.

He can guard 1s and 2s despite his height. He is a solid rotation player on a potential contending team.

rabbitproof · 05-23-2012, 11:18 AM

I don't know, guys.

I think we should get redzwestisbest's opinion on whether Delonte is worth resigning or not.

Underdog · 05-23-2012, 11:22 AM

I don't know where this Scott McGuire guy has been the past decade, but his recent flurry of posts have been spot-on...

Scott McGuire · 05-23-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

I don't know where this Scott McGuire guy has been the past decade, but his recent flurry of posts have been spot-on...

I usually just read, but this is such a pivotal offseason. I'm plugging in to seeing what will happen and also to bounce ideas off others. Thanks for the compliment.

dude1394 · 05-23-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markus1234

West is OK, he should come back. But he did not impress me much as a "core" player. His defense was average at best and his decision making reminded me of JJB 3-4yrs ago.

Bottom line,... his role should be much smaller next season.

I have to agree with his decision making. That went for Vince as well. It probably takes a while for a team to really pop the ball. Cubes has always been a big proponent of that. That said its another's reason why I was not on board with busting up the team.

Year 1. Ruined this year.
Year 2. They will not have played enough to really compete for the championship (IMO)
Year 3. This will have to be when they honestly target an solid run.
Year 4. Dirks contract is up and he's an old dude... Well see how he feels.

He15man · 05-23-2012, 05:50 PM

I wouldn't mind having Delonte back

KillerLeft · 05-24-2012, 07:16 PM

Delonte was ok...not great, not terrible.

There is definitely potential for greatness there, but something has always held him back. Could it be that he's a grade A wacko? I tend to think so, and that's not something that will be remedied anytime soon, unfortunately.

West on 1 or 2 year deal for close to the minimum - stop gap style - would be fine. A higher level of commitment than that would illicit a sizable head shake from me.

jthig32 · 05-24-2012, 07:53 PM

I highly, highly recommend listening to the interview that these quotes came from. Delonte has some really cool things to say about Dirk, and he's just a fantastic interview overall.

I freaking love Delonte West.

KillerLeft · 05-26-2012, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

I highly, highly recommend listening to the interview that these quotes came from. Delonte has some really cool things to say about Dirk, and he's just a fantastic interview overall.

I freaking love Delonte West.

Wow, no joke...great listen. Thanks for the recommendation.

|_Jeff_| · 05-27-2012, 03:10 PM

If Delonte is back next year that probably means the Mavs missed out on Deron Williams. I can't see them both being on the team next year. Delonte will command $3M minimum next season - unless he wants to give the Mavs a discount - and that won't fit the Mavs salary cap with Dirk + Deron + Trix + Haywood. It could fit if Haywood is amnestied but any money freed up by amnesty would need to be used for a replacement center.

GhostFace · 05-27-2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

I highly, highly recommend listening to the interview that these quotes came from. Delonte has some really cool things to say about Dirk, and he's just a fantastic interview overall.

I freaking love Delonte West.

Damn.. what a great listen. Totally didn't click the link, but what a great attitude and such a headstrong mentality.

sefant77 · 05-28-2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |_Jeff_|

If Delonte is back next year that probably means the Mavs missed out on Jason Terry.

fyp

tc29 · 05-29-2012, 02:53 AM

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dal...ext-season.ece

Any thoughts on Koponen? Feels like if we land DWill and successfully package off Odom, Roddy, Marion for another piece (Gasol?), he's a cheap option if Delonte commands $2.5-3 million next year.

DevinHarriswillstart · 05-29-2012, 09:29 AM

His stats in the regular season were undeniably strong, and he's a team player. I remember Kirk Hinrich brought up around here many times as a player of interest, but Delonte had the better season. Same type of player.

Scott McGuire · 05-29-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tc29

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dal...ext-season.ece

Any thoughts on Koponen? Feels like if we land DWill and successfully package off Odom, Roddy, Marion for another piece (Gasol?), he's a cheap option if Delonte commands $2.5-3 million next year.

I'd love to see what Petteri Koponen and Nick Calathes can do. Maybe we can work some Spur magic on good cheap young players.

Are we allowed to put them into Summer league or invite them to camp without signing them to contracts?

jthig32 · 05-29-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott McGuire

I'd love to see what Petteri Koponen and Nick Calathes can do. Maybe we can work some Spur magic on good cheap young players.

Are we allowed to put them into Summer league or invite them to camp without signing them to contracts?

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the answer is Summer League, yes, Training Camp, no.

mavs777 · 05-29-2012, 10:33 AM

Calathes is the significantly better player of the 2.

Scott McGuire · 05-29-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavs777

Calathes is the significantly better player of the 2.

I really have no clue about Petteri Koponen honestly. He's 24 and was good enough to get drafted in the 1st round as a 19y/o. He and Calathes look a little similar from youtube videos. Tall for PG, average athletes, good vision but not a traditional PG. can shoot decently.

What is the latest news on Calathes coming anyway?

Scott McGuire · 05-29-2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the answer is Summer League, yes, Training Camp, no.

Thanks for answer. I wish it wasn't true for training camp.

mavs777 · 05-29-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott McGuire

I really have no clue about Petteri Koponen honestly. He's 24 and was good enough to get drafted in the 1st round as a 19y/o. He and Calathes look a little similar from youtube videos. Tall for PG, average athletes, good vision but not a traditional PG. can shoot decently.

What is the latest news on Calathes coming anyway?

Koponen doesn't have the handles really to make it in the NBA, Calathes can do everything but shoot, he played a big role in the europe A league and greece A league for good teams, he's got good handles, and is a great passer, his game fits the NBA game much more than the structured europe style game. All that being said he wouldn't come over unless he got a minutes guarentee, and being the backup maynot even be good enough.

Scott McGuire · 05-29-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavs777

Koponen doesn't have the handles really to make it in the NBA, Calathes can do everything but shoot, he played a big role in the europe A league and greece A league for good teams, he's got good handles, and is a great passer, his game fits the NBA game much more than the structured europe style game. All that being said he wouldn't come over unless he got a minutes guarentee, and being the backup maynot even be good enough.

How much is he getting paid over there? Can't be more than an NBA backup. Money will talk and since he was a 2nd rounder we can structure a deal however we want.

mavs777 · 05-29-2012, 12:57 PM

Not sure exactly how much it is but it is a 7 digit number, he is also comfortable in greece and would be due for a pay raise whenever it is his contract is up.