Okay, so it wasn’t quite as sexual as my post title sounds. But Rich Levine wrote the best Delonte West piece I’ve seen to date. In it, Levine details why we still root for West, even after he did at least one truly sinister thing. Here’s an excerpt, but go read the whole thing if you a) have a heart, or b) like the Celtics.

I’d always thought about West returning to the Celtics, but never in a realistic way. I mean, even when the C’s were making their run to Banner 17 and there was literally nothing to complain about, I remember thinking to myself (or anyone who would listen) on multiple occasions: “Damn, Delonte would look great on this team right now.” Or “You know what? I think Delonte could really help these guys.”

He was a great player; a hard-nosed, ultra-competitive guy who any contender would be lucky to have. But up until this summer, West had priced himself out of Boston. As long as the Big 3 (and Rondo) was around, West couldn’t be. How often does a player return to a team that trades, anyway? We just assumed West was gone.

But when he hit rock bottom this summer, there was only one place he could turn. Or, more accurately, there was only place which turned to him; one place that wanted to give him another chance.

And that chance finally, and officially starts tonight.

It’s been almost four years now since West and I squared off in our PlayStation beat down. And since then, the young, optimistic and carefree 23-years-old I met that day has been through more than I could ever imagine; certainly more than I can do justice within this paragraph.

Back then, I had hopes that Boston would be the place where West built his career.

Now, I’ll settle for it being the place where he saves it.

The Delonte West II era begins tonight. I’m optimistic, but does anyone know where this thing will end? West could be the perfect complement off the bench, or he could return to that sinister place that caused his ten-game suspension. Either way, I’ll be rooting for the guy. Just ask Michael Vick. Everyone loves a redemption story.

You know, as long as the person being redeemed is really, really good at a sport.