Most people have an opinion about it. There are those who believe that it is simply a technical (medical) term labeling someone who is unable to face their fears and take responsibility in confronting things that are difficult. Others will swear that it is indeed a very real diseases and a debilitating condition that renders a person unable to do things that most others can easily do.
Whatever your thoughts may be on the issue, the fact of the matter remains that Houston Rockets forward Royce White is at the center of a situation that is already escalating into a full blown disaster.
As a quick recap, White was taken by the Rockets with the 16th pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He publicly came forward with his anxiety disorder and was widely praised for doing so. Many people thought it was brave of him and that it would go a long way in helping others with similar conditions to not be afraid to face their own disorders. The Rockets seemed to embrace his condition, coming to an agreement regarding his fear of flying and allowing certain circumstances where White would be allowed to take a bus to some road games.
He had a promising summer league in Vegas, tantalizing those who watched with his unique blend of passing and big man skills. But this week, he has reached an impasse with the team. He's missed mandatory practices and games, has not attended any sessions with the team-appointed psychologist, and is refusing to report to the Rockets D-League affiliate the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Rockets owner Leslie Alexander seems less than confident that this situation will work out. In fact, his comments almost seemed resigned to the reality that the Rockets may have wasted a first round pick.
White claims the Rockets have gone back on their word and are not giving him "support that is consistent and fair."
Whatever your thoughts may be on the issue, the fact of the matter remains that Houston Rockets forward Royce White is at the center of a situation that is already escalating into a full blown disaster.
As a quick recap, White was taken by the Rockets with the 16th pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He publicly came forward with his anxiety disorder and was widely praised for doing so. Many people thought it was brave of him and that it would go a long way in helping others with similar conditions to not be afraid to face their own disorders. The Rockets seemed to embrace his condition, coming to an agreement regarding his fear of flying and allowing certain circumstances where White would be allowed to take a bus to some road games.
He had a promising summer league in Vegas, tantalizing those who watched with his unique blend of passing and big man skills. But this week, he has reached an impasse with the team. He's missed mandatory practices and games, has not attended any sessions with the team-appointed psychologist, and is refusing to report to the Rockets D-League affiliate the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Rockets owner Leslie Alexander seems less than confident that this situation will work out. In fact, his comments almost seemed resigned to the reality that the Rockets may have wasted a first round pick.
White claims the Rockets have gone back on their word and are not giving him "support that is consistent and fair."
He's even taken to Twitter to voice his displeasure with the situation.
While it's important to speak up and out about the condition to promote awareness, 140-character snippets are hardly the best way to educate, especially when they seem tinged with anger, hurt, exasperation, and even a bit of resentment.
While it's important to speak up and out about the condition to promote awareness, 140-character snippets are hardly the best way to educate, especially when they seem tinged with anger, hurt, exasperation, and even a bit of resentment.
Especially concerning to me is his comment, "I'd waste my 'Talent', to stand up for myself and what's right, regarding my health 10x's out of 10. #Logical Player 'Commodity' league."
What White is failing to realize is that he didn't have to enter the NBA draft. That was his choice. He could have remained at Iowa State University, made a run at an NCAA championship, and taken another year or two to get his education (for free) and learn how to deal with his disorder while playing a high level of basketball. If White was really that concerned with his condition, if his health really was his number one priority as he's stated, then he should never have left school.
Instead, he chose to enter the draft. The NBA is a business. That business includes high pressure situations, extreme stress, and lots and lots of travel by plane. That was his choice and the Rockets, by all accounts, have taken steps to help White with his disorder. But, expecting a team to bend to extraordinary lengths to accommodate White, when they are paying him millions of dollars to play basketball, is not a reasonable expectation.
While pro athletes are on a far different level than most other working class people, in no industry can someone receive special treatment from every other employee, still not be able to perform, and then expect to be paid.
I have no inside knowledge into the situation, but looking back on the trouble that White has had in the past (pleading guilty to theft and disorderly conduct, being suspended from play while at Minnesota, charged with trespassing in a computer theft incident in the Minnesota dorms, leaving Minnesota, etc.) it is hard to jump to his defense in this matter. It certainly seems like a player using his disorder as a crutch. A player solely focused on himself and how others can help him instead of the steps he needs to take in order to help himself.
There was no need for him to miss any training camp. He knew the start date and could have planned to leave a week or two early in order to ensure that he could drive. Instead, he missed the first few days and cited his anxiety disorder as the reason. He has also come out and said that he believes he has been treated unfairly regarding opportunities for playing time. Any player that misses training camp, practices, and games, regardless of the reason, has zero leverage in demanding playing time. There are players in the NBA that have toiled away for seasons, training in the offseason, attending every practice, staying late after said practices, and still have not been given the chance to play regularly. I have no sympathy towards the man regarding his playing time. The fact he even brought it up makes me suspect that he is a spoiled athlete looking to make excuses and using his condition as a crutch.
Perhaps I am overreaching on my conclusion, but the manner in which he has handled the situation offers little in the way to dispute this line of thinking.
The bottom line is there is no right or wrong in this situation. Regarding how public this issue has been from the get go, the NBA has never experienced this sort of dilemma before, so every new development is a virgin experience without a clear guidebook to lead the way.
That said, I do believe that anxiety disorder is a real disease. I just can't agree with the way White has gone about handling it.
The bottom line is there is no right or wrong in this situation. Regarding how public this issue has been from the get go, the NBA has never experienced this sort of dilemma before, so every new development is a virgin experience without a clear guidebook to lead the way.
That said, I do believe that anxiety disorder is a real disease. I just can't agree with the way White has gone about handling it.
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