Having my own mental health issues, I can sort of sympathize with Royce. Plus, this season (and likely the next one) are a wash, so it's not like I'm counting on him to carry us to the promised land or something. That being said, if he wants to play in the NBA- he'll need to adapt or get around some of these issues. I don't know if that means meds or having some sort of routine or whatever- but if he wants to play in the NBA he has to adjust. Artest's name is being thrown around alot, and I think that makes sense. They're both physical freaks who are limited by some mental health issue. Artest managed to get over his, and became a solid player. White will have to do the samething. I think it's a bit too early to say this was a blown pick. The only guys that stand out are Zeller and Fournier. I think White has the higher ceiling than both, although- as we're seeing now- there is quite a bit of risk. Given our current state, I'm fine with taking as many risks as possible- so long as there's a high reward.
From the update So he had anxiety about having anxiety....i know it's a serious issue, but it just doesn't paint a good picture going forward.
This is good news. Both sides are working it out and Royce seems very grateful and takes responsibility for what has happened. I'm pleased and impressed with both Royce and the Rockets on this one. Nice rebound by both of them, in what could have gotten really ugly.
Well, I sort of assumed he would be catching the team flight on trips I didn't list, I don't think it's a requirement for his mental health that he has to take the bus on round trips everywhere. Saw that earlier this morning, good on the writer for doing that. I almost want to thank him, because it was definitely a circle the wagons moment for me. I truly hope that Royce overcomes this bump in the road. I want to like and cheer for the players, even in the very likely case that there isn't much winning on the court.
I think this is an instance where tough love will be the best prescription. Don't give an inch on White's demand for a concession to flying, because if you do that he'll just ask for more and more as the anxiety grows. Force him to make a choice between having an NBA career or not. It's like having a Charlie Horse in your leg. Either you go all the way and pull it out or it will linger and recur over and over. To me it is vitally important the White learn to better cope with his anxiety rather than simply finding excuses to get around it. In fact the Rockets if they have good psychiatrists should already be trying out some form cognitive behavioral therapy to help him overcome his phobia. Conditioning or exposure therapy is what it's called I believe. It's not like they have to make him bungee jump or anything; it's just that getting him on this path should be much more effective than simply conceding to his fear and letting it fester.
I can already imagine Lin, Parsons, D-Mo, Lamb,and Jones asking to accompany Royce on his bus to some of the games this season.
That's exactly the way I feel about it. The fact that he's in his 20s and he's still dealing with this, I think it's asking too much that he will overcome this fear any time soon.
Yeah, and after Yao broke his foot, we shouldn't have cowtowed to his demands for "surgery" and "rehabilitation". Run it out, sissy! Seriously, this isn't a diva request. The dude has a mental illness. Being hard line and flushing your draft pick down the crapper by either having him quit the team or play like garbage because he's either mentally wrecked or resents the organization is not smart. They're both willing to meet half way to make it work, which shows maturity from both parties.
The one great thing about all of this is Royce's condor about the situation. Could you imagine if he didn't talk about this stuff to the media?
Bingo!!! You are 100% correct. But be careful, you will get attacked on this board for that view. White is talking about this like he is taking care of his mental health when he is in fact doing the opposite by avoiding the stressors.
Not exactly agreeable. He has to be somehow eased in into flying. Some bus this year. Maybe minimal bus next year. Then no bus altogether the year after that. Maybe that is the plan. His explanation was acceptable to me. Why torture him with an either or approach? Is gradual easement not an acceptable remedy?
I have been saying that one of the two sides, perhaps both, screwed up. They had two months to get this settled and they dragged this out till the beginning of training camp? Did they just think about this would be a problem three days ago? Somebody (or some people, and I don't know who) aren't very professional. If the fault is on White's side, I blame he handlers more than him. Somebody has got to advise him on all this legal stuff.
How is he avoiding the stressor? He said he is taking buses for some trips, not all. Considering the ridiculous amount of travels each NBA team goes through every year, that's as good a compromise as possible. You don't force a person suffering from anxiety disorder to go through large quantities of the stressor if they are not ready. You let them take baby steps, like they are doing now.
Yao Ming had a disability. He couldn't speak English. Did we (like most all companies would do) tell him to Man Up and learn English on his own time. No, we hired a staff translator. He didn't really need a translator on staff, but it improved his performance. Royce doesn't need to use a bus on short flight (btw he says he will take long flights with team), but it will IMPROVE HIS PERFORMANCE. Quit saying Man Up, people. It's a freaking small request that will make the player better and he will likely be able to travel more as his teammates create a comfort zone for him by their mere presence in the airport. He'll develop a routine.
Exactly. Folks need to get some perspectives. The Rockets have already sunk a lot of money into Royce White: He is guaranteed $3.35M over the next two years. Also, remember that the Rockets got the pick used on Royce White (16th overall in the 2012 draft) by agreeing to take on the roughly $6 million owed to Jared Jeffries from the Knicks. The cost of accommodation is minimal compared to that.
