Royce White doesn't like the support from the Rockets. (Getty Images) |
The Royce White saga in Houston has taken another turn.
The Rockets worked out an apparent travel plan to help the rookie with some of his anxiety issues, but things evidently haven't gone too well. Not only has White not appeared in a game this season, he was sent down to the Rockets' D-League affiliate on Monday.
On Tuesday he released a statement calling the team's support "inconsistent."
"In hindsight, perhaps it was not a good idea to be open and honest about my anxiety disorder due to the current situations at hand that involve the nature of actions from the Houston Rockets," White said in the statement. "The Rockets have been inconsistent with their agreement to proactively create a healthy and successful relationship. Failure to meet my requests for support will end with me being unhealthy and that is not a consequence that I am willing to accept to play any sport."
Then he took to Twitter to continue his thoughts:
I'm most defiantly not AWOL... There are many things here ppl don't know, #Honesty is what I'm sticking with. @houstonrockets "Luke 12:3"
— Royce White (@Highway_30) November 14, 2012
Problem goes back WAY before D-League assignment. This about #Consideration and #Health it isn't about Rebounds & Money.
— Royce White (@Highway_30) November 14, 2012
My "anxiety" hasn't caused inconsistency in my participation with the team from training camp until 72hrs ago, ? to DET, ?s Isn't the issue.
— Royce White (@Highway_30) November 14, 2012
It's sad to think ppl ACTUALLY think ? should be higher on my priority list then health..you can't enjoy success OR money without health.
— Royce White (@Highway_30) November 14, 2012
I'd waste my "Talent", to stand up for myself and what's right, regarding my health 10x's out 10. #Logical Player "Commodity" league.
— Royce White (@Highway_30) November 14, 2012
"your a COMMODITY" and "we'll support your health needs even if its inconvenient..." just don't go. My health can't afford such an ideal.
— Royce White (@Highway_30) November 14, 2012
While #anxiety is the issue, the main piece of that isn't AIRPLANES, it's asking for support 4 my disorder thats consistent and fair.
— Royce White (@Highway_30) November 14, 2012
Again My "Anxiety" is not well but not BAD, my main WORRY is being treated as a digit instead of a HUMAN, in the case of my health.
— Royce White (@Highway_30) November 14, 2012
The Rockets released a statement of their own on Tuesday.
“Royce is not available right now. We are committed to his long-term success and we will continue to support him now and going forward.”
Obviously the Rockets understood the baggage that came with White when they drafted him. It was a reason a lot of teams shied away. He was going to need special considerations if he was to have a successful NBA career. Any thought otherwise would be unfair and naive.
At the same time, this is the NBA and there are unavoidable circumstances, such as travel. While the Rockets made some arrangements for White to travel by bus to some road games, complete cooperation there isn't reasonable. At least not if White wants to be a regular rotation player on the team. While White is battling a difficult disorder, he understood these challenges were going to be there. It's like someone who's afraid of spiders becoming an exterminator and being upset when he has to kill one.
Still, White potentially has a very bright NBA future ahead and both he and the Rockets are responsible for making the most of it. What specifically he wants from the Rockets is unclear, but it's obvious that he doesn't feel like the team is supporting him enough. It was what they signed up for when they called his name on draft night and if they weren't willing to do it then they either didn't do their homework or they just didn't understand White's anxiety issues.
Again, though, we don't know the specifics of what's going on but it's something White isn't happy about. Clearly.
Either way, White's NBA career isn't exactly off to a great start. Hopefully for his sake, things take a better turn not just for his NBA career, but for his personal health, too. Because like he said, that's more important than basketball.