Royce White: Releases Statement - Wants Private Bus At Times

First he released a statement on illness

[QUOTE]Earlier Wednesday, White released a statement that detailed his refusal to join the team until a plan to address his "long-term health" was in place.

"There are often negative consequences to mental illness when not given the proper support," said White, according to a statement released through his publicist, California-based China Myers. "Often, those consequences are more severe for the surrounding people than the sufferer him/herself. I am not willing to allow those consequences to befall on myself or others close to me.

"It causes me anxiety to know that serious consequences could happen if I do not express what I deal with, or if I am not truthful enough to ask for what I need to be healthy. For me, hiding is no longer a healthy option in treating my anxiety or OCD, so I have asked for some help from the organization to ensure long-term health for myself.

"It has been determined that without a specific plan in place, the current workplace is not healthy for me. I feel that it is essential to formulate the right plan for a better chance of execution, despite other timelines or agendas. The most important agenda to me is a plan that is healthy. Therefore, a plan has been requested that will support a healthy work environment. In addition to this, it has been requested that the standard requirements for players in regards to this plan be voided because it is not a standard situation.

"It is regrettable that I cannot be currently present, but long-term health obviously should be the most important thing. I will continue to champion the cause for mental illness being met with understanding; if not, the ramifications are dangerous.

"Mental illness is a very individual-based disorder -- very unique for each person. So for those who come forward and ask for help, a very unique support plan should be the solution, given the nature of mental illness.[/QUOTE]

Then an ESPN story with more:

[URL="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8459655/royce-white-absent-houston-rockets-cites-mental-health"]http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8459655/royce-white-absent-houston-rockets-cites-mental-health[/URL]

Highlight from that article:

[QUOTE]Before he's willing to start training camp, Houston Rockets rookie Royce White wants the team's permission to travel to some games by private bus, the former Iowa State star told ESPN.com on Wednesday night.

White's fear of flying, he said, magnifies his anxiety disorder. So he's asked the Rockets to let him use a bus for some of the team's extensive road trips. White said he's willing to purchase the bus and assume liability.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=hipballinjigga]First he released a statement on illness



Then an ESPN story with more:

[URL="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8459655/royce-white-absent-houston-rockets-cites-mental-health"]http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8459655/royce-white-absent-houston-rockets-cites-mental-health[/URL]

Highlight from that article:[/QUOTE]
I say do whatever it takes to let the man play esp since he's willing to front the money for some of his needs. His openness about his disorder could help raise mental health disorder awareness for NBA players and fans alike

He needs to smoke some weed before every flight. I bet it would solve his problem.

Petition for the NBA to legalize weed for him plz.

Smart move by White to try and secure his long term mental health before just jumping in there and playing and hope all goes well.

Guy's a disaster.

[QUOTE=fatboy11]Guy's a disaster.[/QUOTE]
Actually its the opposite. Its better for him to come out and say it and to actually look for help instead of having a guy play through with it and then suddenly exploding.

Maybe basketball isn't the ideal career for him....must be tough but still he's going to struggle if this is the case.

the guy didnt report to rockets training camp on time because he is afraid of flying


how did this guy even get drafted? he doesnt belong in the nba

[QUOTE=All Net]Maybe basketball isn't the ideal career for him....must be tough but still he's going to struggle if this is the case.[/QUOTE]

Not trying to be mean but to be an NBA player you have to be able to fly. Or just play home games.

If the Rockets drafted him that high they need to man up and support him.

Everyone knew that this was going to be an issue.

[QUOTE=fatboy11]Guy's a disaster.[/QUOTE]
I agree. I have no problem with him needing help and telling you. But it feels like his problems were understated, and i have more problem (this will sound strange) with him asking for the private bus as opposed to him needing to miss time until he gets his mind working right. That to me feels like he wants special treatment, which is negative.

Wasn't a huge risk where you drafted him but the signs seem bad.

This will sound a little silly, but if Royce wants to help his mental health....he should ask for a trade to an Eastern Conference team, preferably Atlantic Division team...Knicks/Nets/Sixers/Celtics.....

Why? Because flight times are much shorter or he can bus it easily to those places. If he was on the Nets, for example, no traveling to Knicks, only 2 hour drive 76ers, 4 hours to DC, 4 hours to Boston....plus short flights to MidWest teams......with only one West Coast road trip to make........

Hey, if his mental health is that important, make it easier on himself.........

[QUOTE=kennethgriffin]the guy didnt report to rockets training camp on time because he is afraid of flying


how did this guy even get drafted? he doesnt belong in the nba[/QUOTE]
If you watch his ability to play you'd know he does belong in the NBA. But his life off the court requires some special needs. If the NBA is able to work with him (and I really hope they are) than he should be able to play. I'm pulling for the guy, mental health disorders are a challenge and people who have them could use potential role models and success stories like this guy could potentially provide. He is open about his problems, he knows what his needs are - as long as they are addressed he should be able to play.

[QUOTE=LosBulls]Actually its the opposite. Its better for him to come out and say it and to actually look for help instead of having a guy play through with it and then suddenly exploding.[/QUOTE]

Why isn't he in training camp right now?

Answer: Because he's a disaster.

Look, I hate it for the guy, but the fact remains that he is not off to a good start as an NBA player. It's only going to worse for him. I don't think he will make it. I hope he does because he's a HUGE part of the Rockets' future, but this is not encouraging.

[QUOTE=kennethgriffin]the guy didnt report to rockets training camp on time because he is afraid of flying


how did this guy even get drafted? he doesnt belong in the nba[/QUOTE]

Have you even watched him play? He is incredibly talented. he went 16th in the draft after a big slip due to the disorder. He was easily a top 5 talent in the draft.

Just give him some liquor hours before taking the plane... problem solved.

[QUOTE=swi7ch]Just give him some liquor hours before taking the plane... problem solved.[/QUOTE]

Great.

We'll trade anxiety for alcoholism.

Disaster.

This keeps up he will be out of the league. Probably play for the local YMCA team that way he doesn't have to travel.

He didn't say he wouldn't play ever folks. I mean fu*k let's just say he's injured. He's working on a plan to get himself healthy. The Rockets knew he did not fly before they drafted him. Shit so he misses training camp. Hell let's say he misses all season. It's not the end of his career. If he gets it all together then the Rockets come away looking like crooks because they got so much talent that late in the draft.

[QUOTE=fatboy11]Great.

We'll trade anxiety for alcoholism.

Disaster.[/QUOTE]
lol @ these weed and liquor "solutions" being presented by ISH's mental health disorder experts. I'm sure weed and liquor would solve all of Royce's problems :facepalm :oldlol:

at least he is trying to take steps to solve his problems. much more than i can say for you twats

Royce White's new nickname is B.A.

[url]www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zgQGfBOnh8#t=0m16s[/url]

They need to just have him sedated before flights.

Dat ether.

[img]http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0wf720EL91qlqqhoo1_500.jpg[/img]

Just tranq that guy and drag him on an empty plane. Fly the plane until he wakes up and let him go crazy until he can deal with his problem.

What is that called? Flooding or something. I didn't pay attention in my Psy class. Seems fair though. :D

For people suggesting tranq or weed or whatever, you do realise that coaches give out important infos and videos to watch while on flights? They don't waste all that time on an airplane watching The Avengers, you don't always get to sleep, you have to study up the next opponent when on the flight.

[QUOTE=swi7ch]Just give him some liquor hours before taking the plane... problem solved.[/QUOTE]
I used to work with a guy like that. We'd be in some pissant town with a 9am flight and we'd be searching high and low all morning for some place that'd sell us booze so he could get loaded up before the flight.

Chartered jet is way safer than a bus. This guy is a basketcase.

[QUOTE=CavaliersFTW]If you watch his ability to play you'd know he does belong in the NBA. But his life off the court requires some special needs. If the NBA is able to work with him (and I really hope they are) than he should be able to play. I'm pulling for the guy, mental health disorders are a challenge and people who have them could use potential role models and success stories like this guy could potentially provide. He is open about his problems, he knows what his needs are - as long as they are addressed he should be able to play.[/QUOTE]

Repped, couldn't agree more.

I find it bothering though that some fans are already giving him a hard time, saw some pretty disgusting comments on Twitter etc..

It's easy for us to judge the poor guy when we sit at home as fans..

He's only 21 years old and I can't imagine how much extreme pressure the guy has on his shoulders. I have never had any mental issues like that and I only played for the youth national team and in the swedish basketball league and I still remember how nervous I was before games and how some playoff games were messing me up completely even before the games started. And again, I have no mental issues and here we have this guy with a pretty severe anxiety disorder who plays in the NBA where his every move is going to be watched by million of fans..

I hope the Rockets try their best to help him out.

[QUOTE=brantonli]For people suggesting tranq or weed or whatever, you do realise that coaches give out important infos and videos to watch while on flights? They don't waste all that time on an airplane watching The Avengers, you don't always get to sleep, you have to study up the next opponent when on the flight.[/QUOTE]
plenty of nba players play cards on the flight :lol
tons of stories about this, read up on any player's biography

Problem solved

[IMG]http://humanrelief.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/bus17.jpg[/IMG]

All kidding aside I give this kid mad props for giving the NBA a go. Hope he pulls it off. Rockets need some recognition too for taking this gamble

[QUOTE=swi7ch]Just give him some liquor hours before taking the plane... problem solved.[/QUOTE]
Liquor always helps people w mental problems. Good idea

[QUOTE=Mr Exlax]He didn't say he wouldn't play ever folks. I mean fu*k let's just say he's injured. He's working on a plan to get himself healthy. The Rockets knew he did not fly before they drafted him. Shit so he misses training camp. Hell let's say he misses all season. It's not the end of his career. If he gets it all together then the Rockets come away looking like crooks because they got so much talent that late in the draft.[/QUOTE]

Not sure if serious.

Missing training camp would be a big deal. Missing the entire season would be a massive deal.

The season hasn't even started yet and this dude is already having to miss time because of this disorder. I'm not trying to be unsympathetic, but honestly, he's not off to good start. We can only hope he'll "get used to it" or something.

Wow, some people here are ridiculous.


[QUOTE=bagelred]This will sound a little silly, but if Royce wants to help his mental health....he should ask for a trade to an Eastern Conference team, preferably Atlantic Division team...Knicks/Nets/Sixers/Celtics.....

Why? Because flight times are much shorter or he can bus it easily to those places. If he was on the Nets, for example, no traveling to Knicks, only 2 hour drive 76ers, 4 hours to DC, 4 hours to Boston....plus short flights to MidWest teams......with only one West Coast road trip to make........

Hey, if his mental health is that important, make it easier on himself.........[/QUOTE]



I actually think this makes some sense. I don't know how bad the schedule will be for the Rockets (in the future, maybe the NBA takes tis into consideration) but this makese sense.


And really, shame on his agent for not spreading the word. Common sense. Maybe even try to get him close to home. He was probably too scared of having the guy's stock and money drop. Should have been more concerned with the player and his needs.

I have no problem with him wanting to get these accommodations, but why now? Why didn't he speak with the team when he first signed his contract? Sounds to me like he didn't want to go to training camp and he's using this as an excuse.

[QUOTE=CavaliersFTW]If you watch his ability to play you'd know he does belong in the NBA. But his life off the court requires some special needs. If the NBA is able to work with him (and I really hope they are) than he should be able to play. I'm pulling for the guy, mental health disorders are a challenge and people who have them could use potential role models and success stories like this guy could potentially provide. He is open about his problems, he knows what his needs are - as long as they are addressed he should be able to play.[/QUOTE]

I agree. Hope this guy succeeds.

There's no viable way for him to be an NBA player if he has to take a damn bus everywhere.

Morey with another bust

#mostoverratedGMintheleague

I remember soccer team Arsenal had similar problems with their star Dennis Bergkamp.

lol @ the people in this thread saying smoke weed and drink prior to or during a flight and problem solved. As someone who has what he has, I can tell you that smoking weed and drinking don't help. Especially weed. Weed is an anxiety sufferers worst nightmare. Drinking I guess when you drink enough does calm you down at least while under the influence but it's the same effect as taking a xanax or something. It'll calm you down for the moment but make you feel worse when it wears off.

[QUOTE=2LeTTeRS]I have no problem with him wanting to get these accommodations, but why now? Why didn't he speak with the team when he first signed his contract? Sounds to me like he didn't want to go to training camp and he's using this as an excuse.[/QUOTE]
This is a great point.. If his concern is having proper accommodation because of health issues, he should have addressed this ASAP.. The time he chose and the way it's occurring, either some details are left out or there's ulterior motives.

[QUOTE=fatboy11]Not sure if serious.

Missing training camp would be a big deal. Missing the entire season would be a massive deal.

The season hasn't even started yet and this dude is already having to miss time because of this disorder. I'm not trying to be unsympathetic, but honestly, he's not off to good start. We can only hope he'll "get used to it" or something.[/QUOTE]

I'm dead serious.

I mean bro this is just his first season. We aren't going all in on this kid in his first season. He's not the savior of the franchise right now.

I say let him take some time and get right. He's not being a distraction. He's not blowing up on teammates or raping bitches or getting his father killed by not paying gambling debts. He's simply missing training camp to deal with his mental health instead of waiting until something bad happens.