I don't think I'd call a guy a charity case if he almost lost his foot due to something that happened to him on the job....
Well, what would you call him in that situation? I mean, isn't that the definition of a charity case, giving money to somebody who can't earn it because you feel badly for their current situation?
It sucks that Ray isn't here anymore, and that he's having some foot issues, but in the NBA you have to perform physically, even as a coach. If he couldn't do so, I can't blame the Celtics for letting him go.
But can you blame the Celtics for causing the ailment that lead to his dismissal? I think that's the point winsomme was trying to make.
Probably, since the MRSA shouldn't have happened. However, what's the remedy? The Celtics gave him $100k and free medical. He signed the release. He had the option of suing, and declined.
Should the Celtics just keep paying him ad infinitum?
Well I'll tell you what they shouldn't have done....forced him into a take it or leave it situation when the reason for not being able to perform the job happened working for them...and working quite well for that matter...
Again, I don't what the whole story is, but if what is being reported has legs, then they should rectify it.
In the end doesn't every negotiation over a settlement come down to a take it or leave it moment?
Yeah, exactly. And the Celtics think they *did* rectify it, by giving him a fairly large cash settlement and health care. Plus, Ray has the right to work for somebody else.
As I understand the facts, Ray's contract was expired, and they didn't ask him back. He was basically a free agent that the team declined to re-sign. He was physically unable to perform, and in settlement of any claims related to the MRSA, Ray got $100k + medical care. That's pretty open and shut. I know some people would like to see the Celtics give Ray a job for life in public relations or something, out of some feeling of guilt or loyalty. Fine, but that's called "charity", and it's certainly not an obligation.
Yeah, and I think the injury and settlement, and the choice to not give him a new contract are not linked as much as Vecsey wants to make it seem.
The fact that they did wait so long to let him know they were not going to retain him tells me they had intentions on keeping him on. They only let him go when another contractual obligation forced them to fill his role on the coaching staff with someone else. That doesn't sound to me like they didn't bring him back because of his leg, it sounds like he was simply replaced at the end of his contract.
Now, the settlement on the other hand sounds like it was some sort of workers comp type thing. In that situation, Ray had the right to sue for damages and medical coverage for an injury that occured on the job. But (like in many cases), they decided to avoid court, and come up with a very reasonable settlement.
Again, I also think the claim that the Celtics strung him along is ridiculous. He was not under contract. He was free to go and look for other jobs. Unless Doc or Danny told him that he had a job, and he was just waiting for the paperwork (which does not seem to be the case), I don't blame the C's for this. This is part of being an independent contractor. Unless you are under contract, you can never assume you have a job, and you are taking a big risk by waiting around on one job if there are other opportunities.
Topic: Peter Vecsey: The Celtics turned their back on Clifford Ray (Read 21696 times)