I think the point is - he was immature enough to respond to BR when obviously its trash... And now he's proven their point by holding out... I hope the kid works it out, but this does not bode well for the rest of the season. Look at the schedule and tell me how many games he will be able to get by bus w/o missing practices. It's only a handful. So for like the less than dozen games that he wants to go to by bus - he's refusing to come into training camp?
I am willing to give this kid a chance. Kinda expected him to struggle with this but didn't expect the bus thing. Whatever is going to make him feel good, as long he's producing on the court, I do not care if it's his own bus with strippers and 20 LCD's.
Frankly, given all the research the Rockets should have done into him and his condition, I am disappointed that they didn't get all these details handled before Training Camp. The guy isn't like your normal young basketball player, they knew this going in and seems like they tried to handle him as such. Now we get a controversy that the team didn't need and could have avoided if some had contacted White's representation, league suits and tried to work out some sort of plan. The Houston Rockets maybe new to handling such a unique problem but WE drafted him and the organization isn't still a multi million dollar one with more then Morey and two assistants acting as their front office and HR departments. White maybe hurting his growth within the organization for realizing stuff like this at the last minute but its the Rockets organization job to recognize when they drafted White that this maybe a problem.
I'll gladly help I'm sure that the Rockets organization took the time to talk to Royce's coaches and trainers regarding the severity of his anxiety issues and how they dealt with it. If not then the Rockets FO really dropped the ball here by underestimating the anxiety disorder and not doing anything to try to accomodate Royce. To whoever said that once we do this for Royce other players will be asking for more. REMEMBER that in Royce's case this is a MEDICALLY DOCUMENTED condition. If another player's condition is as severe then yes they should ask the FO for help. It's not just all about the players doing things for the organization they have to reciprocate to show loyalty and bring loyalty out of players.
Here's an interesting paper examining whether the Rockets may be required to grant Royce a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). There are lots of issues at play here, including whether he is disabled, whether flying is an essential function of the job, and whether a bus would be a reasonable accommodation. If the Rockets don't agree to accommodate him, Royce could conceivably take legal action. If this happens, Royce is going to destroy the draft stock of all future players with mental illness. Excerpt: Link to download the paper: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2095190
The last thing Royce should be doing now is using the media to tell the world what he's doing, what he's not doing, and what he wants. He should be quietly talking to the organization in an attempt to reach some sort of "solution" that will work for both parties. I can't believe that his agent suggested using the social media to deal with his issues. I also find it very difficult to believe that his doctor would recommend the same thing. Meanwhile, camp is going on and players are busting their tails to get a chance to make the team, while Royce "tweets" about seemingly everything. This is not a pretty picture. He needs to publicly shut up.
Take a couple of Xanax and get over it. This is ridiculous. I loathe flying too, big time. I have anxiety not about crashing, but about being trapped in an inclosed place I cannot leave. I have to travel for work and I enjoy vacations, therefore I pop a Xany or two, have a scotch and fall a sleep.
Agreed! This isn't MTV True Life. I have no doubt this disorder is serious, but he's making it worse.
I don't think white is the type to try to abuse a privilege...I think it says a lot that he is willing to make steps to insure his health. Look at a guy like griffin who couldn't deal with his demons and were it left him. I feel for white and it can't be easy to ask for help and certainly taking a bus will give him less opportunity to rest. This isn't going to be easy for the rockets or white but u can't just discard him because of it. I wish him well and hope things work out for him and rockets
My understanding is that White was communicating to the Rockets that it would not be a problem....and that it's only been in the last week that he says he and his doctor came up with the plan for alternative transportation. I'm all for finding accomodations...but I don't support White not finding a way to training camp and media day while it gets worked out.
Exactly right. The Rockets have to be very careful about even talking about his disability. If any team that did not draft him because of his condition said so on record or to him they could be sued. The Rockets and the NBA are required by law to provide reasonable accommodation and can not discuss it. Also they can not even consider his disability when making any decisions about his employment.
Thank you. The way Royce White and his representation have handled things is why it looks so doubtful. Morey's initial reaction was telling.
IMO, Rockets are more in "cover-their-rump" mode than anything else. They don't want to be sued and don't want their image damaged. With the statements directly to the press and public instead of through the team, Royce White and his crew could be positioning themselves for legal action if the Rockets make themselves vulnerable. Trust issues.
I feel for his situation and it does really suck for him having to fly any everything but I remember him admitting that he would be okay with flying. I'm sure the flight from Houston to the other part of Texas where the camp is, isn't so far so it shouldn't take longer than an hour or two so I don't see why he's not in camp right now. He probably should've tried to take care of this bus situation a few months ago when he was first drafted. I hope everything works out for both sides though.
as many posters have already said...he just should have approached Morey and McHale about this...and if he didnt feel comfortable...should have had his agent in direct communication with Rockets mgmt...This sounds eerily familiar to one Tracy McGrady...using the media to communicate with the team...Timing is really bad...shows lack of planning and consideration to the team who did draft him... Mental health is actually one of the most common illnesses in nation, and a significant number of people get help and therapy...There is no reason to think that the Rockets wouldnt be accommodating to Royce and his medical needs... The way RW handled this simple request shows he may not be as mature as he appears to be...
Could he sue the Rockets if we send him down to D League ocassionally because it obviously would make him uncomfortable and mess up his routine?
if he's just cut from the team immediately, i wonder if royce would have any case to sue......wish our resident legal experts could chime in
Again, I put this on HIM not the team. Here's him interviewed at the Draft Combine. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b9TaK9fCI2U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Quick notes from the video... - Learning still about the condition - But, has known about it for three years - Flew everywhere..... Indiana, Miami, Chicago (draft combine), will fly to Cleveland, to Minnesota, etc after Combine is over - Concerns (over anxiety by teams) not overblown but, "not too worried about having to fly come season time. Flying with your team, coaching staff and trainers is a lot different than flying by yourself commercial." So, again, he was saying it was not a big deal to the media. I'm SURE he was telling all the teams the same thing and that he has it in control. He certainly didn't have issues flying all over the country to work out for teams prior to the draft and he flew to Vegas for the Summer League. Sorry, for him to "hold out" once his team, coaches and trainers open training camp, to bring this all up now that he can't have the same accommodations, is very suspect.
I've taken a couple Xanax plenty of times. And trust me, I was in no shape to play basketball :grin:. In fact, woke up plenty of times the next day wondering why I dont remember the night before and why was there a huge pen 15 drawing on the side of my face.
