Delonte West says LeBron saved him during period of emotional turmoil
Delonte West was part of LeBron James' supporting cast in Cleveland during the 2009-10 season, the last time the Cavaliers were relevant, before now.
It was during that year that, according to West, James helped him stay afloat amid mental-health issues and a pending criminal charge.
In a conversation with Northeast Ohio Media Group, West talked about how James helped prevent the ex-Cavalier from self destructing.
Battling depression and a stress disorder, West had the added pressure of a weapons charge looming over him as training camp got underway. "I was dealing with so much guilt," West said. "I wasn't processing things right. I was under the impression that I was going to do nine years minimum. Everything I've ever dreamed of, the sweat and tears of what I worked for would all be wiped away."
West received permission to be excused from practice for a few days to return home to Maryland. As he gathered his belongings in the team's locker room, James entered. West said the two sat together for an hour, as James shared words of encouragement with the backup guard.
West recalled their conversation and the impact it had on his mental state.
"Keep in mind, practice was still going on. He left practice and sat with me for a while, just keeping me company," West said. "He later walked me down the stairs and said, 'D, I don't know where you're going or what you're about to do, but I'll be right here when you get back.' My spirits were so high at that point. I don't know what would have happened had I left in the condition I was in prior. It's a testament to the type of person he is."
A second incident from later in the season stands out to West as being equally pivotal to keeping him in a stable frame of mind.
As the team boarded its plane following a road loss, West experienced a breakdown. Refusing to join his teammates on the aircraft, James poked his head out the door of the plane, searching for his distressed comrade. He and a couple other team members went after West, calmed him down, and convinced him to board the plane.
"That team was a family and LeBron was a big reason why," West said.
West ultimately pleaded guilty to the weapons charges, was put on probation, and avoided jail time.
He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves that summer. After brief stints with the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, he went overseas to play in China.
He's currently attempting an NBA comeback and is one of the Cavaliers' staunchest supporters, as his former team sets its sights on what would be the city's first professional sports championship in 51 years.
"The love LeBron and my teammates showed me is an extension of the city," West said. "It's the city of Brotherly Love to me. I'm pulling for them all the way."