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LOS ANGELES -- History? Pressure? Jason Collins would have none of it after becoming the NBAs first active openly gay player. After all, it was almost game time. "Right now Im focusing on trying to learn the plays, learning the coverages and the game plan and the assignments. So I didnt have time to really think about history," Collins said at a crowded press conference less than an hour before his Brooklyn Nets faced the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Nets earlier Sunday and played in the first half against the Lakers, grabbing a rebound and committing a couple of fouls. The 35-year-old centre revealed at the end of last season he is gay, but he was a free agent and had remained unsigned. Collins said he was aware of the magnitude of his signing, but repeatedly said he was most concerned with learning the Nets schemes. "The pressure is playing in an NBA game tonight and last time I played in an NBA game was last April," Collins said. "So I think thats enough pressure right there." With a need for another big man, the Nets turned to the 7-foot Collins, who helped them reach two NBA Finals in the early 2000s. "The decision to sign Jason was a basketball decision," general manager Billy King said in a statement. "We needed to increase our depth inside, and with his experience and size, we felt he was the right choice for a 10-day contract." Collins has played 12 NBA seasons, including his first seven with the Nets, when they were in New Jersey and Jason Kidd was their point guard. Kidd is now the Nets coach and Collins has been a teammate of several other current Nets. "Jason told us that his goal was to earn another contract with an NBA team. Today, I want to commend him on achieving his goal. I know everyone in the NBA family is excited for him and proud that our league fosters an inclusive and respectful environment," Commissioner Adam Silver said. The Nets worked out Collins during the All-Star break and met with him again Sunday, with his twin brother, Jarron, hinting that history would be made. "Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday. Today should be a pretty cool day!" Jarron Collins wrote on Twitter. The news on Jason Collins comes as Michael Sam, the SEC co-defensive player of the year from Missouri who recently revealed he is gay, is taking part in the NFL draft combine. Sams on-field workouts in Indianapolis are scheduled for Monday. Collins was asked if he felt the tide is turning regarding gay players coming out, including Sam. "I hope so. What Michael said was it was about him being a football player and me being a basketball player, and going out there and trying to help our respective teams win," Collins said. He played 38 games last season with Boston and Washington and averaged 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in limited minutes. For his career, the 7-foot Collins averages 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds. "Im a solid veteran, and hopefully Ill be in the right place" on the court, Collins said. "I know I can execute the game plan. Its just about focusing on the task at hand and not thinking about history or anything along those lines. I just want to make it difficult for the Lakers tonight." Collins entered the game with 10:28 left in the second quarter and the Nets leading 35-26 after Nick Young made the first of his two free throws. The crowd welcomed him with a nice ovation when public address announcer Lawrence Tanter announced his name. Collins announcement last spring was followed by numerous NBA players insisting he would be welcomed in the locker room. Collins has played for five other teams and is well respected inside and outside the league -- he attended the State of the Union as a guest of first lady Michelle Obama. "I just know Jason as a person and as a player. Thats what Im happy about. He has earned it. Hes a great guy. Its good for the league. The important thing is to judge him as a person and a basketball player," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I know people who have coached him, and I know how highly thought of he is." Former Suns player Kevin Johnson, now Sacramentos mayor, said he saw Collins two weeks ago at the White House "and I thanked him for his courage and being strong and wished him well and to keep fighting hard. "I think its incredible for him. I think its incredible for the league. If Im on the Nets, my commitment is I want to get in the playoffs and I want to go far. All that is fine but I need him to win games and I think hes up for that challenge." The Nets had an opening for a big man after trading Reggie Evans along with Jason Terry to Sacramento on Wednesday for guard Marcus Thornton. King said Thursday that Collins would be among the players they would look at, insisting they wouldnt be concerned about any extra attention the signing of Collins would provide. "Were going to bring in a basketball player," King said. "Its not about marketing or anything like that." The Nets posted a photo on their Twitter account of Kidd watching Collins sign his contract, encouraging followers to retweet it to welcome Collins to Brooklyn. Collins is third in Nets history with 511 games played, and also ranks in their top 10 in minutes played, and offensive rebounds and total rebounds. A limited offensive player, the Nets hope he still provides a presence defensively and on the boards. "I know Jason Collins is a competitor. One thing I know about him is he fouls very hard," Miamis Dwyane Wade said with a laugh. "Hes one of those tough veterans. Im sure hes happy to be back playing in the league. Welcome back." Since making his announcement last year, "Life is more exciting for me," Collins said. "I mean, I dont have to hide who I am and I can be my normal self. The past 10 months have been incredible. Im making new friends, hearing different peoples stories, sharing experiences. Its just been an overall positive." Collins grew up in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles and has a house here, so there was some normalcy to his day. "It was pretty easy for me just to come to the game tonight," Collins said, "drive down the 405, take the 10 and get here in 20 minutes." Devin Booker Jersey .5 million. The 25-year-old Varlamov is thriving under first-year coach and Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, posting a 26-9-5 record with a 2. Charles Barkley Jersey .The McLaren MP4-30 was launched on Thursday, with chief executive Ron Dennis saying it marks the start of a lengthy journey back to winning grands prix and eventually world championships.McLaren, which hasnt won a grand prix since 2012, will be using Honda engines for the first time since 1992, and has signed two-time world champion Fernando Alonso to partner Jenson Button for the upcoming season. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/steve-nash-suns-jersey/ . Now he has a complete game. Scherzer tossed a three-hitter in his 179th career start for his first complete game and Victor Martinez hit his 16th homer to lead the Detroit Tigers a 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. Leandro Barbosa Jersey . Beanballs were the theme Friday night as the Red Sox and Rays had another AL East rumble, with Boston earning a 3-2 victory on A. Marquese Chriss Jersey . Jesus Navas bookended yet another huge home win for City by scoring after 14 seconds and again in second-half stoppage time, with Sergio Aguero also netting in each half to add to an own goal by Sandro and a brilliant strike by Alvaro Negredo.For the third night in a row the Winnipeg Goldeyes and the New Jersey Jackals played a closely matched game. The only difference: the Goldeyes were able to come out on the winning side on Thursday night. The Goldeyes (19-12) were able to avoid being swept by the Jackals (14-10) as they won 2-1 in front of 1,237 fans at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls, New Jersey. For the first time in the three-game series the Fish were able to take the lead first. After Jake Blackwood got on base with a first inning single, he was driven in on a two run home run from Ray Sadler. The home run was Sadlers team leading seventh of the season. "Thats what he was looking to do there in the first inning," said Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea on the Jewel 101 Post-Game Show. "Sadlers a strong guy and he put a good swing on it." From there the two teams starting pitchers stole the show, as they both earned quality starts. Matt Jackson went strong for six and two-thirds innings, only giving up one run on four hits. He was able to strike out five and only gave up two walks, both of which were in the bottom of the first inning. The effort from Jackson earned him the win. "Jackson set the tone, coming out throwing strikes," said Vermilyea. "His breaking ball was working well and getting him strikes." The Jackals starter Isaac Pavlik, who is a ten-year veteran on the team, also went for six andd two-thirds innings.dddddddddddd. He struck out six Goldeyes, and only gave up those two first inning runs on six hits by the Fish. After both starters came out of the game, it was the relievers chance to show what they could do. Ty Kelley came in for New Jersey, and finished the game on the mound for the Jackals. Kelleys appearance was highlighted in the ninth inning as he struck out the Goldeyes in order. Brendan Lafferty and Chris Kissock took over for a combined one and one-third inning for Winnipeg, and did their job of keeping the Goldeyes in the lead. Kyle Bellamy came in to finish the game for the Fish and earned the save. Bellamy was able to match Kelleys ninth inning performance, striking out the Jackals in order to end the game. "Bellamy did his thing in the ninth inning. You really cant close out a series better than that," Vermilyea said. With the win the Goldeyes end their three-game losing skid and now sit tied with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for second in the American Association North Division. Both teams are one game behind the St. Paul Saints. The Goldeyes continue their tour of the Can-Am League this weekend with a three-game series against the Quebec Capitales. Theyll face the Capitales Friday night at 6 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at noon. The Goldeyes then go to Trois-Rivieres to take on the Aigles in a four-game series that will round out the road trip. 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