Former NBAer Delonte West has nothing but positive things to say about former Cavaliers teammate LeBron James.
Delonte reports that James, time and again during the 2009-10 season, stepped in and may have saved his life.
You likely recall some unseemly gossip regarding LeBron and Delonte from a few years back, but it appears that the two grew close during their time together in Cleveland.
Per the NEOMG:
It was in the thick of training camp. West, who battled depression and suffered from a severe stress disorder, was a month removed from a weapons charge that was hanging over his head. The unknown of the outcome of that situation deeply tormented the guard. […] “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.”
“He sat with me in the locker room for like an hour and was rapping it up with me by giving me words of encouragement,” West said. “Keep in mind, practice was still going on. He left practice and sat with me for a while, just keeping me company. 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.”
It reached a boiling point. He lost it at the airport (following a tough road loss.) […] “The bus pulled up to escort us to the plane and I just broke down crying. I felt like my career was over. I was [expletive] up. I was concerned that my nieces and nephews wouldn’t look at me the same anymore. I let the team go ahead of me. I wasn’t getting on.”
A few minutes went by and James peeked out the front door of the aircraft, looking around for somebody. He finally spotted West and went after him along with Randy Mims, a member of the James’ “Four Horsemen.” […] “Man, LeBron and Randy just fellowshipped with me and then the next thing I knew, here comes [teammate] Lorenzen Wright before, rest in peace. He came out there and grabbed me, picked me up, bear hugging me. He hugged me for like five minutes. He literally had me up and they walked me up to the plane. Lorenzen read me Bible scriptures the whole plane ride. That team was a family and LeBron was a big reason why.”
