Last week I told you about Jason Collins and the impact he is making as the first openly gay player to play in the NBA. Since Collins first debuted with the Nets on Feb. 23, Collins’ jersey has become a best seller throughout the country. The 7-foot center told ESPN that he was surprised that his No. 98 jersey had become a best seller. He also shared that he chose the number to honor Matthew Sheppard. Sheppard was beaten, tortured, and killed when he was only 21-years old because of his homosexuality. The tragic crime happened in the 1998; therefore, Collins chooses to wear 98 on his jersey. “Honestly, I have been a little bit surprised,” Collins said. “But it is great to see all that support for the jersey and all that it stands for and why I chose the number. It is one of those pleasant surprises in life and thank you to all the people who have gone out there and bought the jersey.”
It has also been announced that Collins and the Nets have agreed to a second Ten-Day Contract,
so Collins will remain with the Nets for the time being. With this second contract secured, Collins has been flooded by the media. Some of the most common questions he has faced are questions comparing him to Jackie Robinson. To these questions Collins has answered, “I’m just trying to be Jason Collins,” he said. “What Jackie Robinson did for the sport of baseball and our society [is] tremendous. But I am just trying to be Jason Collins.” Regardless of what you think of Collins being compared to Robinson, it is interesting to note that both men faced their battles in Brooklyn.
In more basketball news Lebron James has yet again made a statement on the court regarding his level of excellence. On this past Monday, Lebron James scored a career high and Heat franchise record 61- points to help his team defeat the Bobcats. The final score of the game was 124-107. Lebron clearly isn’t ready to give-up his MVP title to anyone just yet. 
In what many are calling James’ best game of his career, he made 22 of 33 shots from the field as well as his first eight 3-point attempts. James was simply on fire all night long. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, “There was an efficiency to what he was doing. The rim looked like an ocean for him.” Spoelstra admitted in a press conference after the game that he almost took James out after the third quarter. Luckily he let James continue to tally up his points and keep his groove going.
Even for James, who is known throughout the country as one of the best players in the NBA, his perf
ormance on Monday night was extraordinary. Before his 61 points James’ career best had been 56 points on March 20, 2005 for Cleveland against Toronto. The Heat franchise record was also set at 56, Glen Rice scored the points almost twenty years ago on April 15, 1995 against Orlando.
At halftime James had racked up 24 points and by the end of third he had reached a total of 49 points. He was just shy of breaking the record with a whole fourth quarter to do it. James made a few hoops in the start of the fourth, but it wasn’t until 5:46 seconds left on the clock that James finally scored his tie-breaking points. The record-breaker consisted of James spinning through three defenders for a layup that swished through the hoop as James fell to the floor. The record had been broken and James had achieved his career high in points.
With 1:24 left James checked out and his entire team met him at midcourt with high-fives and celebratory hugs. The sellout crowd went crazy and began to chant M-V-P. With his 61 point game the term “greatest ever” has once again been linked to James’ name. I must admit that I have mixed feelings on the issue of James being the greatest ever. Ho
wever, I am willing to allow him into the conversation after his performance Monday night. Regardless of what James’ mark on NBA history will be, his performance has caused many to select him as their choice for this year’s MVP. Kevin Durant is James’ biggest competition thus far and he has had his fair share of impressive scoring games himself this season, including his 12-game 30-point streak. In fact until this past Monday, it seemed obvious that Durant would be this years MVP, but James has reignited the fight for the award. James says, “Every night I go on the floor I want to be the MVP of this league, MVP of this team, MVP for me, myself, and my family.” There is still time for this battle to play out, so I will keep you posted on any news to come regarding both Durant and James in their chase for the trophy.
A final note for all you sports fans out there who don’t carefully follow golf. Tiger Woods competed in The Honda Classic this past weekend, but was only able to play up until the 13th hole on the final day. Woods complained of back spasms. The question is whether or not Tiger will be able to compete throughout the entirety of the WGC-Cadillac Championships. The hope is that considering his past success when having back issues that Tiger will be able to play throughout and possibly make a move to the top of the tournament rankings. The Championships are scheduled to include every single player currently ranked in the international top 50, so it is definitely something to pay attention to this weekend. Another familiar name Rory Mcilroy finished second this past weekend tying for first and later losing in the playoff round.
Happy Friday Everyone!
