NBA | Cavaliers showcase James-O'Neal duo; West is out of sight

AKRON, Ohio — LeBron James, last season's league most valuable player, and Shaquille O'Neal, previously with Phoenix, made their first public appearance together as Cleveland Cavaliers teammates.

Guard Delonte West, a former Sonic, stayed out of sight.

West, who is dealing with personal problems as well as legal issues pending from a Sept. 17 arrest on weapons charges, was kept away from Cleveland's intrasquad scrimmage Saturday, a workout that served as the Cavaliers' debut of James and O'Neal.

West skipped the first four practices of training camp, absences team officials said were unexcused. He returned Thursday and took part in workouts at Cleveland Clinic Courts, the team's training facility in Independence, Ohio.

Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry decided to have West, who has battled mental illness for years, remain on his own during the team's scrimmage at the University of Akron's Rhodes Arena, a place where James played many of his high-school games.

Ferry said he didn't want to rush West back.

"I think that was probably the right step for him today," Ferry said. "The next step is the next practice. Overall, I think he is going in a good direction."

West was arrested in Maryland after police said they found he was carrying three loaded weapons — two handguns and a shotgun, which he had in a guitar case on his back — after they pulled him over on suspicion of a traffic violation while he was riding a three-wheel motorcycle. He faces misdemeanor possession charges.

Ferry was asked why West did not report.

"I don't know that it was the right time for him to come," Ferry said.

Ferry wasn't specific but suggested West is getting counseling.

"We are using resources to help him," Ferry said.

Note

• Memphis guard Allen Iverson, a 10-time All-Star who played for Denver and Detroit last season, is talking about leadership and hopes to be selected a team captain.

"I want to be something people think I can't be," he said.

Second-year Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo said of Iverson: "He has reached levels most of the guys on our team dream of reaching. ... Just as far as getting to the Finals, he has been there before. I think seeing him every day working in practice and in games, how focused he gets, I think it's definitely a plus to a young team like us."