Article published October 14, 2009
Cavs' West returns for private practices
ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - While the Cleveland Cavaliers played Olympiacos in a preseason game on Monday night, Delonte West was at the team's practice facility working with an assistant coach.
It was at least a starting point for West and the Cavaliers, who are delicately handling their talented but troubled guard.
West returned to practice yesterday, his first full team workout in a week.
"He was here today, I coached him today, we'll take tomorrow as it comes," coach Mike Brown said. "I'm not assuming or guessing anything. I'm just coaching the guys here on the floor."
West, who was not with his teammates for the portion of practice open to the media, practiced for the first time since he unexpectedly missed the team's first exhibition game on Oct. 6. He is not expected to play in Cleveland's game tonight against Washington and there is no timetable for his return to game action.
West has been treated in the past for bipolar disorder. He was arrested in Maryland last month on misdemeanor weapons possession charges.The Cavaliers have been without West more than they have had him since training camp opened. He skipped Cleveland's first two days of training camp without an excuse and then took another week - with the team's blessing - to tend to his personal and legal issues.
That's nothing new, since West missed 10 days during training camp last season before averaging 11.7 points, 3.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds during the regular season. Those numbers jumped to 13.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds during the playoffs, when West was Cleveland's second-most effective player.
He has now missed nine days during this camp, but Brown isn't concerned about the time lost.
The Cavaliers have adjusted players' roles in West's absence.
Newcomer Anthony Parker, who started 71 games for Toronto last season, has filled in as the starter while Daniel Gibson has served as the team's primary backup point guard - the role West often fills when starter Mo Williams is on the bench. Cleveland also signed Jamario Moon over the summer to provide more length and depth to the wing.
WIZARDS 101, PISTONS 98
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Gilbert Arenas, who was fined $25,000 by the NBA earlier in the day for not making himself available to the media, scored 24 points to lead Washington to a 101-98 preseason victory over Detroit.
Antawn Jamison added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards (2-2), who led 46-45 at halftime. Arenas scored 13 points in the third quarter as Washington opened a 75-68 lead.
Will Bynum scored 23 points for the Pistons (3-1).
The NBA fined the Wizards $25,000 for not ensuring that its players follow the league's media interview rules.
After the game, Arenas twice declined to comment on his fine.
"Both teams played hard," he said. "I feel fine."
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