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Monday meanderings: Reserve center Jason Collins played 11 scoreless minutes for the Brooklyn Nets in a 108-102 victory Sunday against the Lakers in Los Angeles. It was his first game of the season after signing a 10-day contract Sunday. The only statistic of significance for Collins was the number 1. As in he became the first openly gay player to compete in an American team sport. Nicely done, Brooklyn (which also had Jackie Robinson with the Dodgers break baseball’s color line in 1947). Nicely done.
A photo of swimsuit model Chanel Iman or of Jason Collins? Decisions, decisions.
* Nets teammate Paul Pierce: “In the society we live in, you know this was going to happen eventually, He is a guy who’s going to be able to open the door for so many athletes — not only in America but around the world — to feel comfortable to come out and not feel embarrassed and feel like they’re welcomed in the sports world. It isn’t about race, gender or sexuality. It’s about being a part of a team and caring for one another. That’s all that matters at the end of the day.”
Collins: “It was a lot of fun to get back out on the court and set screens and hard fouls. I didn’t take any charges tonight, that’ll change. I’ll get in position next time. But it felt good to get back out there on the court.”
* Speaking of centers, Chicago Bulls all-star Joakim Noah (20 points, 15 rebounds, four blocked shots) spoke of the team’s lack of intensity after its 93-79 loss Sunday to the host Miami Heat on national television. If it’s any consolation to Bulls fans, coach Tom Thibodeau or Noah (and the guess here is that it is not), the teams were tied 40-40 at halftime.
Farewell to the Olympics — with Playboy’s Anna Sophia Berglund and Shera Bechard paying homage to the men’s hockey finalists Canada ad Sweden.
* In search of an excuse for the Bulls? Maybe most of them were in shock to see Heat oft-injured center Greg Oden make his first start since 2009.
* Heat star LeBron James sat out the game. Even so, he had as many field goals as Bulls backup guard D.J. Augustin, who went 0-for-10 from the field, including 0-for-5 from three-point range.
* The Winter Olympics ended Sunday in Sochi, Russia. The host country led the medal count (most gold medals and most total medals). Canada defeated Sweden 3-0 to capture the men’s hockey gold. Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks scored the first goal. Meaning Hawks fans can enjoy the gold, even if another country won it.
* Speaking of the Winter Games, about the only thing whiter than most countries’ teams might have been freshly fallen snow. With climate change, maybe that will change in the next century or so. Chances are excellent that neither you nor I will ever know.
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