One-on-One interview with Houston Rockets rookie Royce White

Here we are again discussing the subject of Houston Rockets rookie Royce White. White appeared on CNN with Don Lemon last week to discuss mental health and the NBA. When asked by Mr. Lemon what he needed to be successful with the Rockets, White’s repeated response was “respect and recognition.” Pretty vague response for someone who seems to enjoy dialog so much. Saturday night while on Twitter, I assume White was searching his name and happened to come across a Tweet that contained a link to my post about that appearance. That started a “Twitter-view” between White and myself – with added commentary from others – where I attempted to go deeper into the situation to ascertain what it is that White feels is missing from his current course of treatment.

What I actually got was more double talk and insults about my lack of intelligence and comprehension skills. My quick assessment, White is upset about being sent to the D League. It’s definitly not the NBA. And when faced with a point blank question or to clarify remarks HE made, he results to being condescending and deflecting saying it’s YOU who just can’t get it.

Now here’s the part where he attempted to dismiss me, but continued the discussion anyway.

If it’s consistency Royce needs to succeed, 5 weeks living in a hotel room playing for the D League is too long? Is there a cut off time frame? If you’re actively playing, you could be home one week and gone another. What happens if the scheduling Gods give you a two week road trip? Different time zones, practice at varied facilities. Is that scenario better than playing in the D League.

I’m not trying to belittle Royce’s condition but, I am questioning his ability to perform his job with such limitations. Failing to list out and say, “If I had “X” conditions per my doctor, it would assist in “Y” area” for example. While the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was put in place to protect people from discrimination, it doesn’t say that you should be given the job if you can’t perform the duties. Should a blind man be able to drive a cab?

My thought is that it shouldn’t preclude someone from giving you the job if you’re able. Once you are IN that job, you are subject to the same sort of evaluation as others in the same role. And if you are unable or unwilling to perform or provide the TEAM with what it needs to succeed as a whole, you have to go. Ask the players who are picked up on 10-day contracts or, who have bounced back and forth between the D League and an NBA call up. Is he supposed to be exempt from that? Rookies can be sent down, it’s in the CBA. If his treatment deems that fact to be unreasonable, what should the Rockets do? Let him play with Harden and Lin with no practice time? Ignore the CBA rules for him but apply it to other players? This is why specifics would help. Simply saying that, “those who need to know do” is a cop out. If that’s the case, keep the discussion of it out of the media.

Good luck with that Royce… opps wait, I mean #BeWell. ::giggle::