This situation is really getting down to the core of the employer/employee relationship. On the one hand, if you look at it from a theoretical perspective, there should not even be a debate. No employee should be discriminated based on a physical, in this case perhaps psychological, disability - pursuant to labor laws. Royce White can be molded by the media, if they so chose, as some symbol or champion of equality in the workplace. On the other hand, the fact that we are talking and writing about this like this is even an issue goes to the reality of the world we live in today. I bet you if this was a D-League team this kid wouldn't even see a summer invite. This is the cold reality, the Houston Rockets are already regretting drafting this kid. His fear of flying is causing an unnecessary distraction to his teammates. Imagine if they cut him now though, what the media would write on nba.com
His teammates don't seem distracted to me. *shrugs* Come season start, this episode will be an afterthought times 100! No one will care. Just let the man play and get out of his way.....might get run over.
Who would they replace him with if they cut him, some scrub D-leaguer with little potential? THATS why professionals sports is a little different from the regular job world. You could be letting go of a prospect who shines on the next team even if the player has major warts. Why does he get just 1 strike? I can see if Royce White went to a strip club instead of reporting to camp. But it was based on a well documented issue. So maybe he gets another strike or 2 before the real job world "grounds for immediate termination" pink slip comes into play Also, how do you know the Rockets REGRET drafting him?
Apparently the OP thinks what he has to say has never been said before in the two other ginormous threads on this topic.
Did Morey tell you personally that the rockets are already regretting drafting this kid? Or was it Les that you spoke too?
I'm sorry Royce but it is definitely 1000% about basketball.This is the NBA and very few are blessed enough to make it.The one's who do are usually only around for a few short years,the average career is less than 5 years.If you are lucky enough and talented enough you get paid more money in that 5 years than 99% of the rest of this planets population will make working their entire lives. ...and I guarantee you that the Rockets definitely are second guessing themselves over this pick.Can't be a good feeling when you have no idea when your 1st round pick,that you've invested time and millions in,might flake out and try to pick and choose when he will or won't travel/play/practice.They could end up looking brilliant or like fools,but at this moment I bet there's plenty of regret ....time will tell
would be nice if all the royce threads on this topic could be merged together. its redundant and cluttery like this.
He's right he's not only about basketball, he needs the spotlight and the attention, not looking good.
Champion of equality in the workplace? There isn't really a divide here between the employer and employee. For him to be a champion of equality, he'd have to beat inequality, but the team never put him on unequal ground. He asked, they said yes, end of story. They're not going to cut him over this. It should have been a non-issue. It only blew up because White was trying to make progress for mental disorders by taking on the world, all within a few days. It started and ended with him.
Pretty sure the Rockets were prepared for something to happen in terms of his anxiety issues. Seems fine to be, even though he did miss training camp he's with the team now. Not sure if he's going to get alot of playing time to start the season of but you never know. Hopefully people forget about this incident, like they forgot Adam Morrison is a diabetic.
