Mark Cuban helping Delonte West manage, bipolar, addiction failed

• Cuban spoke openly about his choice on the “All the Smoke” Podcast
• He wanted West to overcome his post-basketball issues, which have come to a difficult end
• However, he gave up after West ran away from rehab

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban helping Delonte West manage his drug addiction and bipolar disorder, but it didn’t yield much.

Cuban spoke openly about his choice on the “All the Smoke” Podcast, expressing that his honest efforts to help West overcome his post-basketball issues have come to a difficult end.

Deeply concerned for West’s welfare, Cuban disclosed that he gave up on trying to help the former guard because of how complicated West’s circumstances are.

The billionaire NBA owner and American entrepreneur recalled putting West in Rebound in Florida but he ended up throwing everything away.

“We get him again, put him in Rebound in Florida, takes his stuff, throws it over the fence, gone. His mom was like one more time, one more time, I’m like I can’t. It’s just that he has a sickness, he’s bipolar,” Cuban told the podcast.

Mark Cuban Helping Delonte West

Cuban decided to step in and help West after videos of the ex-NBA player begging for money on the street went viral.

Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban. Photo/Spin.ph

Even with Cuban’s unwavering support—which included several stays in treatment and efforts to help—West’s bipolar condition and addiction problems proved to be too much to handle.

The Dallas Mavericks owner stated that the only way to assist West is him coming to a point where he realizes he needs help.

He admitted that he is aware dealing with addiction while at the same time dealing with his bipolar disorder is hard for him.

“It’s a struggle for him. I mean, addiction is awful, and mental illness is awful. He’s at the point in his life where he’s got to want to be helped,” Cuban stated.

What Happened to Delonte West?

Delonte West, once a promising NBA guard with a bright future ahead of him, has had a tumultuous life off the court, marked by mental health struggles, substance abuse, and homelessness.

West’s basketball career began on a high note. Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2004, he quickly established himself as a valuable contributor, known for his tenacity, hustle, and three-point shooting ability.

He played a key role in the Celtics’ 2008 NBA championship run, earning the respect of teammates, coaches, and fans alike.

Delonte West. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

However, beneath the surface of his on-court success, West was battling internal demons. He had struggled with mental health issues since his youth, and in 2008, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This condition, characterized by extreme mood swings, would play a significant role in his life’s trajectory.

As West’s mental health deteriorated, his basketball career began to suffer. He bounced around several NBA teams, struggling to maintain consistency and experiencing episodes of erratic behavior.

In 2010, he was involved in a bizarre incident where he threw a moped at a car while driving through a McDonald’s drive-thru.

In 2011, West was arrested for weapons possession, a troubling sign of his deepening struggles. He was sentenced to probation and community service, but his mental health continued to spiral downward. He started using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate, further exacerbating his problems.

By 2020, West’s life had reached a tragic low point. He was seen panhandling on the streets of Dallas, Texas, his once-promising career and bright future seemingly shattered.

Cuban stepped in to offer assistance. He arranged for West to receive treatment at a mental health facility in Florida.

West spent several months in rehab, showing signs of improvement. He even got a job and seemed to be on the path to recovery. However, his struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction proved persistent. In 2021, he was seen panhandling again, indicating that his recovery was far from stable.

Cuban who worked with West during his stitn with the Mavericks recently revealed that West took off from rehab and went back to his old ways.

Given the outcome of his sacrifice, Cuban said his hands are tied in helping West any further.