I'm not a fan of how Royce is handling this but why so they need to "end this" now? Draft picks are by nature multi year investments. Yes it's been awful so far but nothing has happened to give up yet.
agree, Morey doesn't take things personal and I don't think Les does either This is an advantage of treating players like assets. There's no upside to letting Royce go as long as they don't have to pay him. They can hold out longer than he can.
After watching that hbo interview, I'm really wishing someone would make a Royce white office space gif to cheer me up a little bit about this situation.
It's actually amazing that the CBA doesn't address it. In Royce's world, the team would not make the decision. The doctor decides who gets paid. That may be the problem right there. The Rockets signed a contract with Royce to play basketball for money. If a doctor decides he is unfit to play (for a game, or forever), then Royce gets paid. That sets up a situation where Royce might play 1 game for the Rockets, has a panic attack, and sits at home under contract with full salary for 3 years. Why modify the current contract to get yourself in that situation??
The whole thing about treating players as assets is 10% true and 90% semantics. Every team treats their players like assets, and every team says their players are family. The Rockets have been in flux for years since McGrady and Yao were injured. It would be idiotic for the Rockets to create a "family" atmosphere around a team that could NEVER win a championship. As soon as the Rockets get their championship-potential core, you'll see things change quickly from tradeable assets to long-term planning and retaining players.
This is terrible for me to feel this way, but with his arrogant demeanor and entitlement type of behavior, I hope Royce continues to make his own bed. Really. The way he responds on Twitter is disgusting. He won't face the music, but instead, hides behind his laptop and basically threatens reporters for doing their jobs. I hope that he continues to be fined until he realizes that this wasn't about #protocol and more about him trying to make quick money without putting in the work. #BeWell, Royce. Just find your health elsewhere.
If I'm the Rockets, I 'put him on ice' until White decides he wants to come around. Releasing him would be like giving into your child when he throws a tantrum and demands ice cream. As long as your fines take back the salary you are 'paying him', let him continue. He is only damaging himself - it is pretty clear the sane portion of the public pretty universally doesn't blame the Rockets. Hell, I might even pick up his option year and make him sit or give in while you fine any salary away.
There's an upside if they think they can get his contract voided. I have no idea if that's a good possibility, but if the front office thinks so, I hope they go ahead and act. I have no interest in just releasing him. That would be rewarding his behavior.
The downside to continuing the current strategy is mostly the limit on the number of players they can have.
This guy lives on a different planet. Talking about, 'If the doctors say I'm mentally unfit to play then I don't play. It's no different than a physical injury'. Do you know what the difference is? Players attempt to play through injuries ALL THE TIME. His coach walks with a limp because he played with a broken bone. This guy is at absolutely no risk of long term 'injuries' for playing basketball but can't be bothered to do so. I am dyslexic. And yet I read all the time. I have been diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder, and while occasionally that does have an influence on my behavior, I still go to BOTH of my jobs. One of which I make 10 dollars an hour at, and the other I make 40 dollars an hour at (and that's more recent). Oh and did I mention I have Crohn's disease too? If I have to overcome both mental and physical disabilities to support myself and pay my bills, how can I be expected to feel sympathy for this guy, who'd make millions of dollars AND put himself in a considerably better position to advocate for his cause if he'd just go play a damned game? I just can't even believe how far removed from reality this guy appears to be.
Playing with injuries is definitely part of professional sports. While I don't condone any player doing things that would risk their long-term health, a player can play with lots of aches and pains with little to no risk of it causing a long term problem. I'm sure the same thing could be said about mental health as well. You can take medication to hide the symptoms and play through it when it benefits the team. It's part of making enormous amounts of money where the success of a team is completely dependent upon the participation of individuals. That said, I've heard of athletes playing with injuries that sounded like terrible ideas. RG3 for example.
Yeah, voiding the contract and somehow retaining his draft rights (so he can't play for another team if he somehow changes his mind), is the most ideal resolution. An empty roster spot is more valuable than Royce White at this point.
lol I can imagine the new protocol - if Royce White feels he cannot play because of his anxiety disorder, he must wear a straightjacket during the game. We can insert him during garbage time #Safety #Health #BeWell
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>“@<a href="https://twitter.com/izakdavid13">izakdavid13</a>: “@<a href="https://twitter.com/highway_30">highway_30</a>: “@<a href="https://twitter.com/freddyfelder">freddyfelder</a>: @<a href="https://twitter.com/houstonrockets">houstonrockets</a> get this guy a straight jacket! @<a href="https://twitter.com/deadspin">deadspin</a>” <a href="http://t.co/1JkjdI1D" title="http://twitter.com/IzakDavid13/status/293173542999175169/photo/1">twitter.com/IzakDavid13/st…</a>” <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23BeWell">#BeWell</a>...</p>— Royce White (@Highway_30) <a href="https://twitter.com/Highway_30/status/293174788535513090" data-datetime="2013-01-21T01:54:51+00:00">January 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!
