Memphis Grizzlies: 5 past teammate fights to learn from
Von Wafer and Delonte West
When: Oct. 29, 2010
Why: Practice dispute
Let’s jump in the time machine and remember some names: Von Wafer and Delonte West!
These two guards were part of the Boston Celtics’ revolving door of rotation players during the Ray Allen–Kevin Garnett–Paul Pierce years, as both spent just one year on the team before departing.
In a preseason practice, both players participated in a 3-on-3 scrimmage before getting into a fist fight in the locker room.
Reports: Von Wafer and Delonte West Fight In Locker Room: Alex Kennedy from Hoopsworld broke the news... http://bit.ly/aPuUuo #celtics #nba
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) October 29, 2010
Both players downplayed the fight the following day, with West saying, per ESPN.com:
“I’m competitive, he’s competitive, as long as it’s for the betterment of the team, there’s nothing wrong with healthy competition and pushing each other to get better.”
The Celtics went on to get beat by the Heat in the 2011 Eastern Conference semifinals, so while the fight may have no been a distraction, it didn’t help the team.
Lesson learned
Downplay the fight later! Temple followed this rule by saying “we’re brothers” and noting that he and Casspi had known each other since they were rookies.
What also helps is having four Hall of Fame veterans (Shaquille O’Neal included) on a title contending team that really won’t put up with nonsense like that.