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Jason Collins "comes out"

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  • #91
    Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

    I actually can't believe that some people didn't know that he was still in the NBA. I remember the Celtics almost cancelling their deal involving Leandro Barbosa and Jordan Crawford because the Wizards insisted in getting Collins and the Cs didn't want to let him go. He'll have a place in the NBA for another couple of years for the veteran minimum... I can tell you that Doc Rivers and the Celtics will take a look at him this summer for sure. To suggest that extending his career was at all the motivation for this is absurd and just very bizarre to me. Like I honestly don't even know how to respond to such an assertion.

    And Broussard was a big enough asshat for his behavior in stealing scoops and his outspokenness against homosexuals in general in the past... watching him spend five minutes talking about tolerance and thumping the Bible (or at least the parts of it that he felt like acknowledging) was embarrassing for me to watch as a human being. I didn't think I could hate him and his Simple Jack mindset even more, but now I do. What an ignorant, hateful response he gave OTL today. And yes, you can be hateful even if you're talking calmly, using politically-correct phrases and hiding behind antiquated religious scripture.

    Comment


    • #92
      Originally posted by ReginaldWayne View Post
      No I'm being serious. For example, arachnophobia is the fear of spiders. There is an intense fear of spiders. Where as "homophobia" is not liking someone bc they are gay, not because they are scared.
      But we are talking about people here. Most don't know if someone is gay or not and its really none of there business. Its the ignorant who insist on judging others that cause the problem. I just think of these people as bigots, regardless who they judge. Gays are not like spiders(especially poisonous ones).

      Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

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      • #93
        While I don't agree with him doing it for A job. It is, however, easier to come out when you have enough money to not need a job. I respect him for doing it, but it will be a bigger step when a rookie doesn't need to worry about hiding it(baby steps).

        Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

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        • #94
          Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

          Originally posted by kidthecat View Post
          Baby-steps with a purpose.

          He was at best a one-week contract in April before this...
          You lost me, what purpose does coming out for a player that is at the end of his Career have other than bringing greater awareness to homosexuality in professional sports?

          IMHO...despite still wanting to play, he's still some 1 week contract type of guy. My guess is that he's done....even before he came out. I can only think that this would only hurt his already dwindling chances of him joining an NBA team, hence the purpose of him coming out....not for his ongoing NBA Career....but to bring greater awareness of homosexuals in professional sports.

          Should it matter that he came out? IMHO....it shouldn't.

          Does it matter when it comes to any public figure ( even if he's end of the bench guy that no one outside of die hard NBA Fans have heard of ) comes out like this in Professional Sports? To your earlier point....it shouldn't matter that some NBA Player that is mostly forgotten came out. But I think its important...no matter how insignificant a Player that You and I think he is...that he does make a statement like this since homosexuality is still viewed the way it is in society.

          As i said.....Baby Steps is what this is.
          Ash from Army of Darkness: Good...Bad...I'm the guy with the gun.

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          • #95
            Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

            Today on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today's news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA.
            -Chris Broussard per twitter
            "We've got to be very clear about this. We don't want our players hanging around with murderers," said Larry Bird, Pacers president.

            Comment


            • #96
              Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

              Originally posted by rock747 View Post
              He didn't say that Collin's couldn't consider himself a Christian and be gay, he said that's what his personal opinions were
              Again, based on his belief about what God would want. No matter how you slice it, Broussard is drawing religious lines in the sand for other people based on the lines he has drawn for himself.

              Broussard doesn't have that right. Or, rather, he doesn't have the right to be immune from his opinions, regardless of how he came to those opinions.

              Comment


              • #97
                Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

                No objection towards Collins playing in the NBA? How generous.

                Comment


                • #98
                  Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

                  Originally posted by A-Train View Post
                  Again, based on his belief about what God would want. No matter how you slice it, Broussard is drawing religious lines in the sand for other people based on the lines he has drawn for himself.

                  Broussard doesn't have that right. Or, rather, he doesn't have the right to be immune from his opinions, regardless of how he came to those opinions.
                  I agree that he shouldn't be immune from his opinions and certainly no one has to agree with him.

                  How is he drawing lines for other people? He is not stopping anyone from being homosexual. The only reason it was brought up in this venue is because the question was posed directly at him. Should he had lied about his convictions and beliefs? Would that of been more admirable?

                  I guess I just don't understand why both sides just can't respect each other's opinions. Just because you don't agree with someone doesn't mean you hate them.

                  Interesting discussion, nonetheless.
                  "We've got to be very clear about this. We don't want our players hanging around with murderers," said Larry Bird, Pacers president.

                  Comment


                  • #99
                    Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

                    I agree, very interesting.

                    And I don't recall hate being involved in this discussion.

                    Comment


                    • Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

                      Originally posted by CableKC View Post
                      You lost me, what purpose does coming out for a player that is at the end of his Career have other than bringing greater awareness to homosexuality in professional sports?

                      IMHO...despite still wanting to play, he's still some 1 week contract type of guy. My guess is that he's done....even before he came out. I can only think that this would only hurt his already dwindling chances of him joining an NBA team, hence the purpose of him coming out....not for his ongoing NBA Career....but to bring greater awareness of homosexuals in professional sports.

                      Should it matter that he came out? IMHO....it shouldn't.

                      Does it matter when it comes to any public figure ( even if he's end of the bench guy that no one outside of die hard NBA Fans have heard of ) comes out like this in Professional Sports? To your earlier point....it shouldn't matter that some NBA Player that is mostly forgotten came out. But I think its important...no matter how insignificant a Player that You and I think he is...that he does make a statement like this since homosexuality is still viewed the way it is in society.

                      As i said.....Baby Steps is what this is.
                      First of all, your premise seems to be that he is "coming out" for the greater good of the plight of homosexuals everywhere. Don't give me "what purpose does coming out for a player..." I shouldn't even bother to list why someone would want to keep his/her professional career alive at any cost. That is how I see it, and nothing at this point in the story will change that.

                      It is completely suspect why he chose this time, when supposed NFL sources said an NFL player would come out any day/week/month now. This idea has been hypothesized especially as of late. Jason Collins is an NBA afterthought. And has been. As was his assumedly heterosexual brother. I don't really know what else to say.

                      The NBA has already dealt with racism. It will conquer homosexuality, too. It is the most liberal of all the professional sports, and I'm not saying that in an accusatory or demeaning manner.

                      All I am doing is calling into question the motives of one Jason Collins. It's opportunism if I ever smelled it. Ties to Bill Clinton? Really? Why was Jarron so "caught off-guard?" Twins, lol.
                      Last edited by kidthecat; 04-30-2013, 02:00 AM.

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                      • Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

                        Originally posted by kidthecat View Post
                        Don't give me "what purpose does coming out for a player..." I shouldn't even bother to list why someone would want to keep his/her professional career alive at any cost.

                        It is completely suspect why he chose this time, when supposed NFL sources said an NFL player would come out any day/week/month now. This idea has been hypothesized especially as of late. Jason Collins is an NBA afterthought. And has been. I don't really know what else to say.

                        The NBA has already dealt with racism. It will conquer homosexuality, too. It is the most liberal of all the professional sports, and I'm not saying that in an accusatory or demeaning manner.
                        At most, I can see it as an opportunity to discuss homosexuality in professional sports ( which isn't a bad thing )....and maybe even some public speaking gigs after his NBA Career is done ( whenever that maybe ).

                        If that is not what you are referring to, please clarify for me.

                        But if you're saying that a Professional Athlete would do anything just to keep his "Professional career" alive ( which I assume that you mean his NBA career playing ball and not just his career in the "public eye" ), I'm saying that I can see "coming out of the closet" as something that COULD BE considered detrimental to his NBA "Professional career". IMHO....NBA career-wise....this doesn't open that many doors for him ( only cuz he's already on a long list of NBA Players that can do the same thing he does )...it only gives a Team another reason to take a pass on him.

                        NOTE - I'm not trying to be a d*** here and look like I am arguing with you.... I just want to be sure that I understand what you are trying to say.

                        Originally posted by kidthecat View Post
                        All I am doing is calling into question the motives of one Jason Collins. It's opportunism if I ever smelled it. Ties to Bill Clinton? Really?
                        Can you elaborate on what you are referring to his "ties to Bill Clinton"?

                        Is this something in reference to the interview in the SI Article ( I haven't read it...so I don't know )

                        Originally posted by kidthecat View Post
                        Why was Jarron so "caught off-guard?" Twins, lol.
                        From what I understand he only told his Aunt ( I think a California Judge ) and no one else. Unless Jason and Jarron have some psychic link that we aren't aware of....it's not the first time that some family member has kept a secret like this from everyone else in their family....even to a sibling as close as a twin like Jarron.
                        Last edited by CableKC; 04-30-2013, 02:05 AM.
                        Ash from Army of Darkness: Good...Bad...I'm the guy with the gun.

                        Comment


                        • Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

                          Look, I respect your stance; I'm not trying to be a d*** either.

                          I'm more cynical in these sort of things. I'm sick to death of ESPN, SI, and the host of media blabbing constantly about whichever irrelevant issue of the day. And that is not to say this is an irrelevant issue. I am simply cynical when it comes to sports. Especially in social issues. We as a collective nation obsess far too much with sports, and the powers of such should not reach into social and political issues so much as they do.

                          For the record, I do believe it is an inevitability Jason Collins will be on an NBA roster next year. And I do judge that solely to what has since happened in regards to his "confession." The NBA as a collective will be too afraid not to sign him. Some teams, sure, they won't want the media circus (which will still never compare to Tebow) or the spotlight, but someone will. I'd honestly and completely be shocked if not.

                          That's why I view it as a career-extender.

                          And that is why I sigh at "baby steps" as opposed to a meaningful player coming out. Jason Collins was a nobody before this announcement. I am an avid NBA fan, and I best remember him for being an absolute nobody on the Nets teams which made the Finals in the early 2000's. That is an avid, but not hardcore, fan speaking.

                          And in regards to your Clinton inquiry, the former Mr. President said himself that Jason Collins was a friend (at Stanford) of Chelsea's.

                          As to the twin thing, well, identical twins... all that...

                          Comment


                          • Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

                            My only real comment on the issue is that any response other than "what a brave step" or "I'm proud of him" or some other similar accolade will be met with scorn, anger or down right hatred. Which in my mind is almost as bad as bigoted negative responses would be towards him.

                            Open mindedness is a two way street.

                            Now having said that I'll throw in the "good for him" statement. He should be free to live his life however he wants and should not have to hide who he is. I am glad that he made the statement that neither race nor his sexuality were going to define him.


                            Basketball isn't played with computers, spreadsheets, and simulations. ChicagoJ 4/21/13

                            Comment


                            • Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

                              Originally posted by kidthecat View Post
                              Look, I respect your stance; I'm not trying to be a d*** either.

                              I'm more cynical in these sort of things. I'm sick to death of ESPN, SI, and the host of media blabbing constantly about whichever irrelevant issue of the day. And that is not to say this is an irrelevant issue. I am simply cynical when it comes to sports. Especially in social issues. We as a collective nation obsess far too much with sports, and the powers of such should not reach into social and political issues so much as they do.

                              For the record, I do believe it is an inevitability Jason Collins will be on an NBA roster next year. And I do judge that solely to what has since happened in regards to his "confession." The NBA as a collective will be too afraid not to sign him. Some teams, sure, they won't want the media circus (which will still never compare to Tebow) or the spotlight, but someone will. I'd honestly and completely be shocked if not.

                              That's why I view it as a career-extender.
                              Thanks for clarifying.

                              My opinion is that such topics of discussion are important because it's important for public figures ( even ones that are as obscure as Jason Collins ) to "come out to the public" ( for various reasons ) as part of the ongoing discourse regarding homesexuality....whereas you are saying that the Media has a tendency to make this a bigger issue than it really is in regards to Collins.

                              Both of which are valid points of view on this topic.
                              Ash from Army of Darkness: Good...Bad...I'm the guy with the gun.

                              Comment


                              • Re: Jason Collins "comes out"

                                I'm a twin, I don't buy for a second Jarron didn't know. If my twin and I were big time basketball players (we killed it on our Biddy Ball team btw) with large sums of money and I never saw him interested in a woman I'd be pretty curious as to why. That just seems really unbelievable to me.

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