The situation between Royce White and the Houston Rockets appears to getting worse before it gets better. And that’s if it gets better at all, a prospect that’s becoming less likely with each passing tweet and interview that White stubbornly continues to put out there.
The short version of what’s going on is this: White has been open and honest with the Rockets (and the world at large) about his daily struggle with an anxiety disorder. Part of the issue with his condition causes a fear of flying, which by itself is almost a disqualifier for anyone truly interested in pursuing a long-term career in the NBA.
The Rockets organization had planned to help White work through these issues to the extent that was possible, and intended on providing the necessary support to get him comfortable with life in the league. But due to White’s continued, extended, and unexcused absences from the team, the organization appears to be losing its will to deal with White and his issues.
Houston began fining White for his days away from the Rockets, and with the two sides at an impasse, White now says he’s considering walking away from the NBA entirely if he can’t get the support he believes he needs to lead a healthy life while pursuing his basketball dream.
From ESPN.com:Speaking in an interview with ESPN’s Colleen Dominguez, White said he was going to meet with general manager Daryl Morey on Monday to discuss his situation with the team.
“I’d rather tell them on the front end and be honest and transparent and never play again for that than allow me to become one of the stories because I wasn’t able to communicate,” White said.
Asked if he was sure he would give up his NBA career in the interest of openness and honesty, White replied, “If that’s what it means.”
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to side with White here, despite his initial bravery in publicly disclosing what he’s dealing with. The Rockets can’t provide help or support if White won’t show up or attend team-arranged therapy sessions, and the organization can’t make continual exceptions for White which allow him to be away from the team for random and extended periods of time.
It won’t be great for either side if White ends up walking away from the league; the Rockets are not going to trade or release him, so that’s going to be the end result if White continues down this path. And at this point, by choosing to speak publicly about the issues he has with the organization instead of showing up to try to make it work, White will be the one to blame, and the one that ultimately comes out on the losing end of all of this.
