Jason Collins
Jason Collins
Jason Paul Collinsis an American retired professional basketball player who played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for Stanford University where he was an All-American in 2000–01, before being drafted 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. He went on to play for the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets...
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth2 December 1978
CityLos Angeles, CA
The thing that makes him so effective is when he uses his off hand, his left hand. Sometimes it seems like he is a left-handed player out there.
Sometimes we're not following the game plans. It's a collective effort. It's everybody and we have to do a better job of avoiding it.
When you're guarding him, it's like pushing a wall for 48 minutes or however long you're in there. He really tries to lean on you. I just tried to do a good job pushing him and make him shoot over me. Whenever he's going to turn to the basket, just stick my chin there or my chest, and hold my position.
I think he would appreciate someone on his team who isn't afraid to give a hard foul in the playoffs. It's different when someone's your teammate versus someone who's your opponent.
What I want to say would be out of character for me to say, but we just need to get out heads out of our (rears) and do a better job of playing on the defensive end.
When you're at home, you have to defend your home court. Whatever home court advantage we have, it's a cool energy level.
We need to get our heads out of our (butts).
Well, Jermaine O'Neal shooting jumpers is what we want. We just have to do a better job putting a hand in his face.
It's the epitome of a lot of hard work. We're all hitting shots. Seems like if you shoot a 3, it's going in.
It's not good. It's tough because this has been my not-so-bad-as-the-other-one leg. It is better. The night after the game, it was really bad. I couldn't even bend my knee.
Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully?
I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation,
I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay,
Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful.