Of course there is a big picture....besides the culture change that they have repeatedly harped on, it's been about dumping some of the immovable contracts and/or turning over the roster. PDA has done a great job of this. Part of his job has been taking on pieces looking for that guy who may blossom or tap into their potential in a new environment. Gay fell into that category even though he's a vet. Derrick Williams fell into that category....jury is still out on him whether he's a keeper or not. Orlando Johnson, a former 1st rounder falls into this category. Royce White certainly does. And yeah, the Kings have many PFs, but when your a perennial lottery team in another losing season, you take that opportunity to sign a White to a zero risk 10 day. White can ball. If he gets it together, he would be quite the find. It's a 50/50 shot worth taking. As for his past, he needs to prove he is past some of his actions but he can't prove he's past them without an opportunity. So the ball is in his court now. I hope the kid works out because he's a blue chip talent and last time, we are not in a position to not take a chance on talent like that.
Royce White
- Thread starter macadocious
- Start date
What kind of precedent does that set?
I'm sure Royce White would absolutely love to do that and it's probably what he's been getting at for the last couple years. It's exactly the reason why no team will sign him for an entire year. Why should he get special treatment?
whozit
Starter
The Kings signed him to the 10 day contract and then assigned him to the D-league so they can sign him to a second if they so desire. They are the one's picking up the tab.
Yes, a given team can sign any player to two 10-day contracts in any season, but not a third. If a team signs the same player to two 10-day contracts and wants to sign him again, they have to make the third contract go through the end of the season.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
That's even better. This makes total sense to me. You try him out first without exposing your NBA team to whatever vagaries might come up with him. Then, if it works in Reno, you try him out for another 10-day with the Kings. Very low risk for potentially high gain.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
As far as airplanes is concerned, I wonder if he's ever done the desensitized training where you subject yourself in repeated phases to first arriving at the airport, checking in bags, going on the airplane, and finally taking off. I've heard they have simulators for the airport ride itself. After doing that for a multitude of times you'd think he'd have a shot at getting over the anxiety enough to go on the ride.
KingsFanSince85
All-Star
I think it would be possible, on some extended road trips, to only fly from Sacramento and back ... One trip, essentially. He did that in college, I believe.
For example, he'd fly to Chicago for the first game then drive or take a train to Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit, etc. then fly back home for the next home stand. For extended East Coast and MidWest trips, it's certainly more than possible. He might miss some games in back to back situations when the travel is too long by train or car/bus. But, then again, maybe that's a situation when he has to fly again.
The point is to limit air travel as much as possible. If time between games allows him to travel without flying, you allow him to do it. Again, I think that was the approach his college coach took.
For example, he'd fly to Chicago for the first game then drive or take a train to Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit, etc. then fly back home for the next home stand. For extended East Coast and MidWest trips, it's certainly more than possible. He might miss some games in back to back situations when the travel is too long by train or car/bus. But, then again, maybe that's a situation when he has to fly again.
The point is to limit air travel as much as possible. If time between games allows him to travel without flying, you allow him to do it. Again, I think that was the approach his college coach took.
macadocious
Starter
FWIW I have a couple Iowa State alumms who are friends and were there when he was. They have told me there is a lot of misinformation about his situation right now. He flew for all the necessary games in college, he even flew to europe, his major issue with the Rockets was
a. he wanted to be able drive to a game if it was feasible, and
b. he did not want to be on the medications they wanted him on .He felt like they made him foggy and he wasn't a good player while on them
I'm sure that is not all of it, but he also was trying to change the protocol with how they treat his disorder. So if a player sprains his ankle, he's out until a Dr. deems him ready to play. If he had a major setback, he wanted the mental issue to be viewed the same as a hurt ankle or shoulder. (obviously this is a much more simplified way of looking at it)
So, I am guessing if the Kings as an organization view things closer to this, then it may work. Vivek is a visionary in many ways, so I could see him much more willing to work with the idiosyncrasies of this disorder and this player. And if this does work and he can pay to his potential we have game changing player. Who cares if we have 6 power forwards, we an figure that out later. White would have gone top 5 without the mental issues.
a. he wanted to be able drive to a game if it was feasible, and
b. he did not want to be on the medications they wanted him on .He felt like they made him foggy and he wasn't a good player while on them
I'm sure that is not all of it, but he also was trying to change the protocol with how they treat his disorder. So if a player sprains his ankle, he's out until a Dr. deems him ready to play. If he had a major setback, he wanted the mental issue to be viewed the same as a hurt ankle or shoulder. (obviously this is a much more simplified way of looking at it)
So, I am guessing if the Kings as an organization view things closer to this, then it may work. Vivek is a visionary in many ways, so I could see him much more willing to work with the idiosyncrasies of this disorder and this player. And if this does work and he can pay to his potential we have game changing player. Who cares if we have 6 power forwards, we an figure that out later. White would have gone top 5 without the mental issues.
Glenn
Hall of Famer
White seems to be lecturing everybody on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which states that employers have to make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees. An example might be that a person with agoraphobia, fear of going outdoors, might be able to do their work from home via computer. He seems to be focusing on the part of the act that says an employer must make accommodations. The problem for his stand is that the word reasonable is key. Is it reasonable to exclude a player from the need to fly? Is it reasonable for the team to let it pass if he doesn't show up for practices? Is his pattern of skipping practices even a symptom of his fear of flying? Who knows what is a symptom of his anxiety problems and what is irresponsibility?
Glenn
Hall of Famer
As far as I can tell, this is EXACTLY what he is trying to do and I agree with him.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
I saw a long video interview with him, and of course it's just his side of the story, but he seemed to be accommodating. It appeared to me that his main issue wasn't flying, but the drugs that he was supposed to take. He didn't like the way they made him feel and felt that they affected his play. As pointed out, he flew to games in college. He didn't like it, but he did it. We all have fears! A phobia is just an exaggeration of a fear. What's mystified me is how a person that is so disciplined in what he does, especially mentally, can't use that same mental discipline to overcome a fear.
Glenn
Hall of Famer
I have an anxiety disorder and haven't left my home in several months. I had enough discipline to get a high degree. What do you make of that? There is a lot that you don't understand and I think you should just admit that. People respect what you write.
I have a simple question: Do we really think we're bringing up ANYTHING Vivek and the front office hasn't considered? These guys have a multi-million dollar stake in this team. I am not going to believe that they aren't considering all these factors and more that we haven't even touched on.
Giving Royce White a chance costs us nothing.
Giving Royce White a chance costs us nothing.
Glenn
Hall of Famer
I give them as much credit as I do bajaden who seems to lack knowledge about anxiety. I am not as impressed with the FO as you are.
I'm very impressed with the front office and I would imagine they are very well informed on this White issue and it's ramifications. In other words, WAY out in front of us.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
Not sure what that is supposed to mean. I was married to a woman that suffered from agoraphobia brought on by our son getting killed in a hunting accident. I think I know what the F--k I'm talking about. I have great empathy for anyone that suffers from any kind of phobia. My question about mental discipline was purely intellectual. It wasn't a criticism of those that suffer from it. So I'll stop now before I say something I regret.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
You have no idea what I know or what I've been through. The most I'll say, is that at the moment I'm doing everything I can to remain restrained. You have touched on a very touchy subject with me. One that practically ruined my life. So I would advise you to back off.
We're also slowly, but surely building a reputation of being an organization that will give a chance to anyone and work with its players. Nobody wanted to touch Rudy Gay with a 10 foot pole. We gave Jimmer a chance to go land a contract next season when we decided to move forward with Ray. I can't imagine Royce's phone was ringing off the hook with offers from teams.
You're absolutely right about the FO being WELL ahead of the questions we're bringing up. The scenario that someone brought up where we would dump Thompson with only having White play at home games is.... just not going to happen. I imagine there's been good dialogue between White's camp about improvement's to White's mental state, otherwise we likely wouldn't have used a 10-day contract on him.
Chubbs
Starter
I think White's bigger problem is he just isn't playing well. If you can't destroy the D league, you're not going to be much of a pro. That's the bottomline with him. If he can't play, get in shape, or whatever it is, he's not worth the rest of the package.
I'm not sure why anyone would assume they are experts on Whites condition. Or that they even need to be. It's a 10 day contract to play in the D-league. That's it. For now.
The assumption that behind the scenes everything is under control and there's a plan is a blind leap of faith. To each his own.
I'm not sure why anyone would assume they are experts on Whites condition. Or that they even need to be. It's a 10 day contract to play in the D-league. That's it. For now.
The assumption that behind the scenes everything is under control and there's a plan is a blind leap of faith. To each his own.
Sac.1989
Starter
its a low risk pick up, as stated, vivek is indeed a visionary and if we work with White through this you can be sure he'll stay loyal to us. We wont have to overpay him and he'll be happy to stay and play for a team which made an effort to get him a leg to stand on in this L. As stated without the mental issues he'd be a top pick. I dont see the risk here
ShastaKingsFan
All-Star
I took a look at the Bighorn's schedule and noticed that next weekend, they play Idaho on a back to back again, at their place. So maybe the plan is for him to get in a total of 6 D-League games, 4 at home in Reno, then a short trip to Idaho for 2 more.
http://www.nba.com/dleague/reno/schedule/
Evaluate from there and then decide whether or not to sign him to another 10 day... and bring up with the Kings to take a look against NBA talent
http://www.nba.com/dleague/reno/schedule/
Evaluate from there and then decide whether or not to sign him to another 10 day... and bring up with the Kings to take a look against NBA talent
ShastaKingsFan
All-Star
Chris Mullin is at the Reno game tonight. Must be taking a close look at White
