Delonte West Discusses All-Star Aspirations, Hip-Hop, and his First Shot in the NBA

Delonte West is usually the Cleveland Cavaliers’ most active defender. This season, West ranks third in the NBA in forced turnovers. But over the NBA All-Star break, West actively supported two of his Cavs teammates (LeBron James and Mo Williams), all the while hoping to one day join them in the big game. –noah conroy

What is All-Star weekend about for you?

For me it’s all about the support [for] LeBron and our coaches coaching the game, and Mo Williams getting his first trip to the game. I’m also a player rep for the team, so I’m handling the business aspect of it all.

How much did you have to learn about the business of the NBA?

[It was] learning how to conduct yourself and understanding that you’re a role model. When you’re in the mall and the kids come up to you, they really look up to you. So instead of just signing autographs, give five minutes of your time to encourage them. The impressions that you make go a long way.

There are a lot of entertainers here for support. Which entertainers would you like to trade places with?

I’m a hip-hop fan, so maybe Tupac or Jay-Z. They, along with Biggie, were like modern-day prophets. When you read back in the Bible it says there would be people that moved nations, that’s like what they did. They definitely moved my generation.

Describe your first moment on the court.

Man, I just wanted to score my first bucket. After that, I felt like Whitney Houston in the movie, I could finally exhale. But the journey is just beginning. I’m five years in this game [and] just waiting for my All-Star moment.