Posted on 10/10/2013 7:04:28 PM PDT by mykroar
LOS ANGELES — Since making the announcement last spring that he is a gay professional basketball player, Jason Collins has been widely praised, received much support and made many new friends. But with training camp for a new season under way, he has been waiting for a call from an N.B.A. team. Any N.B.A. team.
When Collins, 34, a 7-foot center, wrote his coming-out cover story for Sports Illustrated — “my declaration,” he said — he proudly spoke of having been called a pro’s pro for his team-first, lunch-pail style. Never a star, he has nonetheless had a career spanning 12 years and 6 teams after four years at Stanford, where he played with his twin, Jarron.
“That’s how I still consider myself,” he said Wednesday in his first interview since N.B.A. training camps opened last month without his participation. “Sure, I’ve picked up another title. But I feel that’s always who I’m going to be — that person who sets a good example, who represents the sport and is an asset to my team and a role model for other players.”
The question Collins has to ponder is why he has not been signed as a free agent. Is it because he is at best a marginal player with modest career statistics (3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds a game) nearing the end of his career, one who would cost more than a younger player based on the league’s collectively bargained pay scale? Or is there something more sinister at work related to the new role he would play?
Collins did not dismiss the latter notion or address it.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Jason Collins.
OMG! And he had to COME OUT??? My GAYDAR was going off like crazy. Who the hell was SHOCKED?? What team will Bammy make hire him??
He’s focused on the wrong balls.
In a sense, the author is right.
God defines choosing s homosexual lifestyle is an abomination...i.e. sinister.
Is he... you know.... “positive” yet?
The headline should actually read
Jason Collins, Aging mediocre with fading skills and Still Unsigned, Waits and Wonders
Seeing that nobody would question why he is unsigned. It has nothing to do with his sexual orientation and everything to do with being a immobile aging player with skills well below those of every other player in the league.
Gay or not, he is no longer useful, much as many of us geezers will become under Obamacare.
Is he even good enough to play for the WNBA?
He is a terrible player, he’s 34 and he would cost more than a young player with real potential.
Jeez, it can’t be because of that!
aren’t there any independent or semi-pro leagues out there?
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