'Taken First Steps' In Recovery

Incredible update on Delonte West -- Mark Cuban says the ex-NBAer is doing much better on his road to recovery ... sharing a quick snap of him smiling while horseback riding.

As we previously reported, the Dallas Mavericks owner personally picked up West at a Dallas gas station last week ... and vowed to help the 37-year-old get off the streets.

West entered a treatment facility with the help of his mother and Cuban last week ... and the billionaire says the process is just getting started, but is doing well.

"Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you, Delonte West," Cuban said on Twitter on Friday. "A long, long , long way to go, but he has taken the first steps and shared these with all of us as…