West says he's banned from White House visit
The Dallas Mavericks, at the expense of owner Mark Cuban, will be visiting the White House on Monday in honor of last season's championship.
But apparently, there's one Mavericks player who will not get the opportunity to shake President Barack Obama's hand.
"I'm banned from going to the White House, so I'm not going to make it,'' Mavericks guard Delonte West said, according to a report by Dwain Price of the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram. "But I'm going home to D.C., I'm just not allowed to go to the White House.
"That's what happens when you make bad decisions in your life. You can't go to the White House.''
West was born in Washington, so he'll more than likely be able to keep himself occupied during the team's visit.
On Sept. 17, 2009, West was arrested near Brandywine, Md., after being pulled over for speeding on a motorcycle while carrying two loaded handguns and a loaded shotgun in a guitar case. West pleaded guilty to the weapons charges and received home detention, probation and community service.
"I've been there 100 times in my lifetime — I live right around the corner," West said. "I live in D.C. It's going to be a shame the President isn't going to get a chance to meet me. I'm the president of my house."
The Mavericks signed West in the offseason. He was been a solid contributor this season, starting eight of Dallas' nine games and averaging 8.0 points and 3.1 assists.
Dallas had to schedule its own trip to Washington this year as the strike-shortened season left a visit to play the Washington Wizards off the schedule. The team flew to Washington on Saturday and will meet President Obama on Monday morning before traveling to Detroit for their scheduled game against the Pistons on Tuesday night.
Several Twitter followers of West took to the social media site on Sunday, saying he should be able to visit the White House, but it seems West will not be able to appreciate these tweets.
After Saturday's game against the Hornets, West took to Twitter and complained about the Dallas media, making the league minimum, not being able to get approved for an apartment in Dallas because of his past and sleeping in his car. Those tweets later were deleted from his account at
@CharleeRedz13, along with the tweets of his followers.
http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/01/08/12/Mav-banned-from-White-House-visit-/msn_landing.html?blockID=642368&feedID=3577
