Ricky Rubio - Take the Money and Limp

[DirtyDan]

I didn’t apologize. And I’m not sorry. It is not an accusation. It’s a possibility.
And it is. Be holier than thou all you want

Did you not say this below?

It’s not disgusting or ignorant to have an opinion on the situation. Sorry it’s not

It's a possibility that you could have a shred of empathy for someone going through mental health issues. But that would be too holier than thou of you.

 

[Lee]

How many people here are slamming JBB for not playing CPJ. For saying CPJ must have did something personal to JBB.
No one here knows what the deal is on their relationship We are all ignorant
Actually everyone here is ignorant on everything about this team internally
So no more opinions ?

I ddint say no more opinions, i am just saying our opinion are ignorant, but its the point of a message board to give off ignorant opinions. Its why we all act like any true insider is a steak dinner after not eating for a week, lol

 

[avs2000]

Did you not say this below?


It's a possibility that you could have a shred of empathy for someone going through mental health issues. But that would be too holier than thou of you.

Sigh. Your tiring

 

[DirtyDan]

Sigh. Your tiring

Ignored

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Because he retired. It's not as easy to come back after filing the paperwork.

Well, obviously at this point. The question is why he was willing to keep the door open to play in Spain but to retire from the NBA.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Honestly since none of us have true knowledge of the situation as we are not Rubio or the front office, all of our opinions are ignorant. By definition ignorance is not having knowledge, unless you actually know the conversations and what really went on.

Not sure why you would think your opinion isnt ignorant.

I think most of the opinions being expressed here are understood to be conditional based on some assumed facts. If those facts are different than have been assumed, then I'd imagine most of us would revise those opinions.

 

[avs2000]

Ignored

Thank God !

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

But he had an actual mental breakdown, thus why he couldnt play.

I feel like something of a broken record here but I'll repeat my position again for the sake of clarity.

I think how these things should be handled should be different to the extent an alleged breakdown is connected to the prospect of continuing to play for the team in question.

For example, it is entirely possible that someone becomes "burned out" on playing the game. That the prospect of training, travelling, playing, etc. at an NBA level is so distasteful to them that the prospect depresses them, and they are convinced that will not change. Considering the demands of playing, etc. at that level, my guess is that is not unheard of, and may be why many players retire even though they still are physically capable of performing. It may include things such as an unwillingness to be separated from family, etc.. I do not believe those people should still be entitled to any payment from their team. I also understand that the current CBA and perhaps some individual contracts may be to the contrary. That degree of discomfort, unhappiness, etc. may be so severe so as to meet the definition of a mental illness. I don't think that should matter because it is still tied to a willingness to play, and that in turn is the most baseline obligation under a contract.

So the question is -- does Rubio really, really still want to play in the NBA, but just can't because of an unrelated mental condition? Or is he just sick of playing, wants it to be over, but wants to still get paid? This situation seems to me much closer to the latter than to the former, but if he is in fact unable to play due to factors completely unrelated to a desire to play in the NBA, then I would view this differently.

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Well, obviously at this point. The question is why he was willing to keep the door open to play in Spain but to retire from the NBA.

Because his family is in Spain? It is a long plane flight home from the US. Short plane flight when on the road and likely could be with his family easily when not playing. I am not sure his wife and son came over with him when he was playing here. His son is just about to turn 4 and being gone for so long might be part of the issue for him with the NBA.

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

I feel like something of a broken record here but I'll repeat my position again for the sake of clarity.

I think how these things should be handled should be different to the extent an alleged breakdown is connected to the prospect of continuing to play for the team in question.

For example, it is entirely possible that someone becomes "burned out" on playing the game. That the prospect of training, travelling, playing, etc. at an NBA level is so distasteful to them that the prospect depresses them, and they are convinced that will not change. Considering the demands of playing, etc. at that level, my guess is that is not unheard of, and may be why many players retire even though they still are physically capable of performing. It may include things such as an unwillingness to be separated from family, etc.. I do not believe those people should still be entitled to any payment from their team. I also understand that the current CBA and perhaps some individual contracts may be to the contrary. That degree of discomfort, unhappiness, etc. may be so severe so as to meet the definition of a mental illness. I don't think that should matter because it is still tied to a willingness to play, and that in turn is the most baseline obligation under a contract.

So the question is -- does Rubio really, really still want to play in the NBA, but just can't because of an unrelated mental condition? Or is he just sick of playing, wants it to be over, but wants to still get paid? This situation seems to me much closer to the latter than to the former, but if he is in fact unable to play due to factors completely unrelated to a desire to play in the NBA, then I would view this differently.

Doesn't matter what you believe. Reality is the team doesn't have much of a choice because if they decide to get aggressive and not pay, players will notice and many may choose never to sign with you. Could hurt you in free agency and contract extensions. It is not just the contract - it is appearance.

 

[avs2000]

I feel like something of a broken record here but I'll repeat my position again for the sake of clarity.

I think how these things should be handled should be different to the extent an alleged breakdown is connected to the prospect of continuing to play for the team in question.

For example, it is entirely possible that someone becomes "burned out" on playing the game. That the prospect of training, travelling, playing, etc. at an NBA level is so distasteful to them that the prospect depresses them, and they are convinced that will not change. Considering the demands of playing, etc. at that level, my guess is that is not unheard of, and may be why many players retire even though they still are physically capable of performing. It may include things such as an unwillingness to be separated from family, etc.. I do not believe those people should still be entitled to any payment from their team. I also understand that the current CBA and perhaps some individual contracts may be to the contrary. That degree of discomfort, unhappiness, etc. may be so severe so as to meet the definition of a mental illness. I don't think that should matter because it is still tied to a willingness to play, and that in turn is the most baseline obligation under a contract.

So the question is -- does Rubio really, really still want to play in the NBA, but just can't because of an unrelated mental condition? Or is he just sick of playing, wants it to be over, but wants to still get paid? This situation seems to me much closer to the latter than to the former, but if he is in fact unable to play due to factors completely unrelated to a desire to play in the NBA, then I would view this differently.

You said it better than I. Of course none of us have all of the facts. But that does not mean we cannot speculate. It is a fan forum.
The Cavs have said many times they had been communicating with Ricky....only via text. Actually not sure if it was with Ricky or his agent

It is my specualtion that he knew he was never coming back to the NBA and God Bless him, that is right. He got paid for a few month at his full contract then took a buy out. Again well within his contractual rights.

I actually wish him the Best, he gave us a fun year. I am done on the topic

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Because his family is in Spain? It is a long plane flight home from the US. Short plane flight when on the road and likely could be with his family easily when not playing. I am not sure his wife and son came over with him when he was playing here. His son is just about to turn 4 and being gone for so long might be part of the issue for him with the NBA.

You could very well be right. But if that is his reason, that would be a lifestyle choice that should waive any entitlement to a salary from the NBA. I understand that is something of a gray-ish area in the NBA right now. My point is that it should be changed. Plenty of ordinary employers have issues with employees who have claimed mental issues, and there are some recent guidelines for how that should be handled/verified. "Being at home is better for my mental health but I still want to get paid" isn't one of them. Again, maybe for a short-term, acute flare-up, that's reasonable. But beyond that...just no.

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

You could very well be right. But if that is his reason, that would be a lifestyle choice that should waive any entitlement to a salary from the NBA. I understand that is something of a gray-ish area in the NBA right now. My point is that it should be changed. Plenty of ordinary employers have issues with employees who have claimed mental issues, and there are some recent guidelines for how that should be handled/verified. "Being at home is better for my mental health but I still want to get paid" isn't one of them. Again, maybe for a short-term, acute flare-up, that's reasonable. But beyond that...just no.

I understand your stance but it takes two to tango and has to be collectively bargained. There is a difference in work places from those that have CBAs and those that do not. There is nothing in the NBA about mental health specifically but just general health and wellness in Section 22.

That said, the Ben Simmons stuff and whatever the Sixers had to pay him likely has a lot of teams very cautious about how they handle it.

It should be outlined specifically in the next CBA. The NBA now does make sure each team has licensed counsellors, so they can make assessments.

I agree, real mental health issues are medical issues and should be treated as such. If someone is feeling deep bouts of depression, anxiety, etc then there are times they should be excused with pay as they work through it with approved therapists and doctors.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I understand your stance but it takes two to tango and has to be collectively bargained. There is a difference in work places from those that have CBAs and those that do not. There is nothing in the NBA about mental health specifically but just general health and wellness in Section 22.

Well, yes. I've said repeatedly that it would require changing the CBA.

That said, the Ben Simmons stuff and whatever the Sixers had to pay him likely has a lot of teams very cautious about how they handle it.

It should be outlined specifically in the next CBA. The NBA now does make sure each team has licensed counsellors, so they can make assessments.

I agree, real mental health issues are medical issues and should be treated as such. If someone is feeling deep bouts of depression, anxiety, etc then there are times they should be excused with pay as they work through it.

Generally, companies don't provide unlimited paid time off to recover even from physical injuries. And as I've said before, I see a difference between a player taking a limited leave of absence to deal with mental issues in anticipation of returning to his team - thinking of Kevin Love here - but the CBA needs to contain a process for evaluating extended claims. It cannot be that a player can simply claim mental distress and continue to be paid indefinitely.

I've never seen a union contract that contains that permissive a standard, and as a labor lawyer, I've seen plenty.

 

[The Oi]

I respect that @The Human Q-Tip is taking an even-handed approach here and I agree with much of what he’s saying. I also empathize with others who have dealt with the repercussions of mental illnesses.

The biggest problem I’m seeing here is that we’ve grown into a nation of people where we can’t just swordfight or duel our way out of this shit anymore. Guy goes down due to injury? Fine. But if he wants out of his contract for pay, there WILL be repercussions. And both sides must be willing to sacrifice, and they must be willing to do it on national television.