I’m sure Delonte West has read this line a million times:

A port-wine stain or naevus flammeus is a vascular birthmark consisting of superficial and deep dilated capillaries in the skin which produce a reddish to purplish discolouration of the skin. They are so called for their colour, resembling that of port wine. It is part of the family of disorders known as vascular malformations. – Via Wikipedia

And unfortunately only around 20% of patients with these port wine marks ever improve.  So you wonder why a Delonte West has a gazillion tattoos, is getting into trouble left and right, and has such a big chip on his shoulder?  Isn’t it obvious?

The guy has had this annoying birthmark for years and he’s taking it out on the world

Look, I don’t care if you think I’m being insensitive.  I don’t care if you think I’m wrong.  I’m 100% convinced that Delonte’s birthmark has shaped who he is and what he does.  Think about it.

And I wish I could say that Delonte had a trouble childhood and it shaped who he is and all that.   Well actually, he did.  Greenbelt Maryland was a pretty tough place to live and Delonte had to sleep in the same bed with his siblings.  He came from a poor family and never knew if he’d have a roof over his head.

But folks, this just reinforces my whole Port Wine Stain argument.  Imagine growing up in a rough neighborhood like the one Delonte came from.  That’s hard enough as it is.  But then you have to contend with people giving you shit about your birthmark?  Wouldn’t you pick up tons of skills to deflect that?  I sure would.

Wouldn’t you want to come off as “hard” as possible so that people wouldn’t talk about your stain?  Sure they might say “what the fuck is that thing on Delonte’s face?” behind his back but you know they wouldn’t do it in person because Delonte would be packing.

And in Delonte’s latest run in with the law, he’s just being hard again continuously airing out his rage at the Port Wine.

All in all the guy is a decent point guard with half decent play making ability.  But I just don’t think the man is ever going to be happy.