Jason Collins is the NBAs only openly gay athlete and he also happens to be an unemployed free agent. Vapormax Hvid Herre Danmark . Coincidence? When Collins shared his sexuality with the world six months ago, he was hailed as a trailblazer and applauded for his courage. But Collins is a decade removed from anchoring the New Jersey Nets on back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals, and even the causal basketball fan knew he was on the downside of his career. Collins isnt Jackie Robinson, a young undeniable force poised to break down barriers, so when his name wasnt on an NBA roster on opening night, few were surprised. Collins sexuality wasnt what was holding him back from being in the league, but his talent. The 34 year-old centre had lost a step over the years and was always limited offensively, to the tune of 3.6 points per game for his career. But Collins strength is his ability to provide interior defence, rebound and supply relief minutes off the bench. His age also works in his favour as a veteran who acts accordingly, and as a solid locker room presence. However, those are costly positives at the NBA veterans minimum of $1.4 million, as teams are wary of entering the luxury tax. Collins absence in the league can be reasonably chalked up to one of the best blanket explanations in all of sports: "basketball decisions." According to Ric Bucher at Bleacher Report, several general managers said in October the apprehension of signing Collins didnt stem from concern about the locker room and his teammates, but the non-stop media hype that would come from it. "If it were just an initial blast and you knew it would settle down after that, it would be one thing," said one executive. "But you know this is something that he and his teammates are going to be asked about everywhere they go, all season long, and all it takes is one guy to say something a little off and it could really blow up. Hes still good enough to play in the league, but when you throw in the ongoing media frenzy, most teams are going to decide its just not worth it." Already this season, three starting centres (Tyson Chandler, JaVale McGee, Larry Sanders), have suffered injuries that will keep them off the court for 5-6 weeks or more. In the quest for back-up support, Collins was again overlooked. When Golden State Warriors reserve Jermaine ONeal went down with a knee injury last week, the Warriors braintrust, "entertained the idea of asking assistant coach Brian Scalabrine to come out of retirement to fill the void." Scalabrine would also be entitled to the veterans minimum and ironically came into the league with Collins as rookie teammates on the Nets. The Warriors subsequently called up rookie Dewayne Dedmon from their D-League affiliate. While the notion of going with a younger, cheaper player is just smart business, the idea that there is a not-worth-the-hassle notion amongst general managers when it comes to Collins shows that his sexuality is an issue. Jason Collins isnt as talented as Jackie Robinson; he is a serviceable NBA player on the fringe. But if opportunities exist and teams continue to look past him due to concerns over the media fallout of his sexuality, he is being discriminated against just the same as Robinson was in 1947. This isnt a basketball decision and no one, not even Collins wants to be in the league because hes gay; he just wants to play and feels he can contribute. This isnt a situation of players acting ignorant or insensitive, but shortsighted gatekeepers, of which one wouldve likely signed Collins this season, if they were unaware of his sexuality, and thats a bigger problem. Vapormax Herre Til Salg . NORRIS COLE (Heat): Its funny, you watch a guy play and now really produce and it just jumps off the page at you - why? You put a young player with potential in a winning environment where there is veteran leadership, outstanding coaching and management and a way that things are done and its a wonderful environment for growth, improvement in a climate of constant accountability and expectation of achievement/production. Vapormax Dame Dk . So heres what I do when I want to get into the baseball mood—I delve into "The Baseball Project". http://www.vapormaxdanmark.com/vapormax-dame-sko-danmark.html . Ricciardos exclusion from the results tarnished what had been a day of celebration for local fans, who were jubilant that the Red Bull driver had apparently become the first Australian to finish on the podium at his home race. However just before midnight, stewards ruled that Ricciardos car had "exceeded consistently the maximum allowed fuel flow" and that the team refused an instruction from the races technical delegate Charlie Whiting to change the fuel-flow sensor before the race and a further request during the race to reduce the fuel flow.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - John Elway and John Fox embraced as they agreed to amicably part ways.Hugs and handshakes might not have been necessary had the Denver Broncos gone out kicking and screaming more often under the 59-year-old coach whos now on the job market with a 49-22 record in Denver on his resume.Nobody had a better regular-season record in any of the last three seasons than the Broncos did with Peyton Manning at quarterback. Yet, Denver lost two first-round playoff games as heavy favourites at home and suffered a 35-point thumping in last years Super Bowl.Elway said Tuesday he was disappointed the Broncos didnt display more fire against the underdog Colts, especially coming off a bye.At least in that last game, you want to feel like you go out kicking and screaming when youre right there, Elway said. And I think two years in a row it didnt feel like we went out kicking and screaming.Still, Elway thanked Fox and said the two remained friends.I like John Fox as a man very much. He is a very, very good man. Hes got a tremendous heart, even the new one they fixed is still tremendous. And hes a guy that I will always have a personal relationship with, Elway said. And that relationship will always remain that way. Because I — and we, as an organization — do owe John Fox a tremendous amount because of what he did accomplish the last four years.What they wont owe Fox is his 2015 and 16 salaries if he lands one of the other head coaching jobs that are open.Elway said he did not press Manning for a decision on his future when they met the day after Denvers 24-13 loss to Indianapolis in the AFC divisional playoffs. He said he told the soon-to-be 39-year-old QB to take a few weeks to make his decision and just know how much we want you back, but you need to take the time and get away from this.I told him in four or five weeks — Im going to stay in touch with him — well get back together and see where he is because the career that hes had, what hes done not only in the NFL but in the short time hes been here with the Denver Broncos, what hes meant to us is tremendous, Elway said. So well continue to monitor that. But the bottom line is we want him back, and its going to come down to what Peyton wants to do.With or without Manning in 2015, the Broncos have a talent-laden team ready for another playoff run, maybe beehind Brock Osweiler, whos served a three-year apprenticeship under Manning. Vapormax Sort Dame. I feel great about our football team, Elway said. And so the next guy, what do I look for? I look for a guy thats very smart, thats competitive, that is aching to win world championships like I am.Elway began compiling a list of candidates Tuesday. The Broncos sought permission to speak with Lions defensive co-ordinator Teryl Austin, and Elway said Broncos co-ordinators Jack Del Rio and Adam Gase would get a look.Gase was interviewing in Denver with the 49ers and Del Rio in Oakland with the Raiders. Both of them were having their second interviews with those teams.Other possibilities are Ravens offensive co-ordinator Gary Kubiak, the former coach of the Houston Texans who was Elways longtime backup in Denver during their playing days together.Elway described the parting with Fox as the culmination of a disagreement over what it takes to win the Super Bowl and stuck to a statement that has lived with him since he signed Manning: There is no Plan B. Plan A is still the same — to win a world championship.While coaching candidates will be eager to know the quarterbacks plans, Manning will certainly want to know how much things will change under a new coaching staff in 2015.Of equal importance to Manning is figuring out whether his late-season slide was primarily due to scheme, age or health — he played with a strained thigh on his plant leg for the final month — and also whether he believes Elway can bolster his protection in free agency and the draft.The Broncos made four changes in their offensive line during the season. But pressure, especially up the middle, was a constant concern for Manning, who needs the time and space to step into his throws post-spinal fusion surgery as more of his thrust comes from his hips than his right arm.After spending $60 million in guarantees to bolster Denvers defence last year, Elway said hell address his O-line this off-season.Having been a quarterback, he knows that Im going to try to take care of him and that offensive line, Elway said. We always want to protect the quarterback. I think a change in scenery for those guys might help them also and well do what we can do this off-season and try to help that also.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '