LOS ANGELES, Calif. cheap nfl jerseys . - Although Jason Collins played only 10 1/2 minutes in his first game with the Brooklyn Nets, his groundbreaking appearance meant the world to an entire segment of fans. Collins became the first openly gay player in the four major U.S. professional sports leagues, and Deron Williams had a season-high 30 points along with seven assists in a 108-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. "I know that I can play in the NBA and it felt good to be out there tonight," Collins said. "Conditioning-wise, I felt good. I dont think I got tired. It was a lot of fun to get back out on the court and set screens, hard fouls. Didnt take any charges tonight — thatll change. Ill get in position next time. As far as basketball timing, its going to take at least a couple of practices." Collins signed a 10-day contract Sunday, nearly 10 months after his announcement on April 29 in Sports Illustrated. He had two rebounds and five fouls and didnt score. "Hes a basketball player. Hes been doing this for a long time, so that didnt change," Williams said. "Maybe outside perception did, but inside this locker room it wasnt a big deal or a distraction. It was just another game for us. But he played huge for us. He made big plays on defence and was instrumental in this win tonight. I know hes been sitting around waiting for a job, and were excited about having Jason." The 12-year veteran spent his first six-plus NBA seasons with the Nets and helped them get to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. This was the 35-year-old centres first NBA game since April 17, 2013, with the Washington Wizards. "In the society we live in, you know this was going to happen eventually," teammate Paul Pierce said. "He is a guy whos going to be able to open the door for so many athletes — not only in America but around the world — to feel comfortable to come out and not feel embarrassed and feel like theyre welcomed in the sports world. It isnt about race, gender or sexuality. Its about being a part of a team and caring for one another. Thats all that matters at the end of the day." Pierce had 25 points and seven rebounds, helping end an 11-game Nets losing streak against the Lakers. Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who never led and lost for the 24th time in 30 games with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Xavier Henry all sidelined by injuries. Brooklyn played without Kevin Garnett, who was rested following Saturday nights 93-86 loss at Golden State. Shaun Livingston also didnt play because of a bruised tailbone that occurred in the first half against the Warriors. Marcus Thornton, who joined the club following Wednesdays trade that sent Reggie Evans and Jason Terry to Sacramento, has yet to see action for the Nets because of food poisoning. Nick Young played for the first time since Feb. 5, scoring 10 points in 19 minutes for the Lakers after missing six games with a fracture in his left knee. Nets general manager Billy King, in need of a post player after losing centre Brook Lopez for the season on Dec. 20 with a broken right foot — and failing to acquire another one before last Thursdays trading deadline — took a chance on the 7-foot, 255-pound Collins. Collins also has played for Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta and Boston, where he was a teammate of Pierce and Garnett last season. Sunday was a homecoming, as he was born in Northridge, Calif., and played his high school ball at Harvard-Westlake School in North Hollywood. Collins new coach is an old Nets teammate — Jason Kidd. "Its just another step in the right direction. I think its the advancements weve made as people and will continue to make advancements," Lakers point guard Kendall Marshall said. "As far as Im concerned, when I see him, I see him as a great defender — a guy that protects the paint and finishes around the rim. Thats all I see when Im out there. They needed help inside, and hes definitely going to be somebody who can help them with that." Collins scheduled pregame press conference was delayed about 15-20 minutes while he was still getting his physical. He reported into the game with 10:28 left in the second quarter and the Nets leading 35-26 after the Lakers Nick Young made the first of his two free throws. The sellout crowd welcomed Collins with a nice ovation when public address announcer Lawrence Tanter announced his name, and he spent 4 minutes and 15 seconds on the court during his first stint while the Nets increased their lead to 16 points. "It was very inspiring, how he just came in and was ready. He did the same thing for us last year with Boston," Pierce said. "You expect nothing but professionalism from Jason. Hes much needed around here with the lack of big men we have, especially with Kevin playing limited games in back-to-back moments. Jasons going to be big for us." Kirilenko made his first start of the season in Livingstons place and had 10 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. Rookie Mason Plumlee made his second NBA start in Garnetts spot, and the Nets didnt miss a beat — using 14 points by Pierce to build a 31-12 lead with 3:35 left in the first quarter. NOTES: Bad timing Dept.: ESPN had this game on its original schedule, but dropped it a few weeks ago because of the Lakers dismal record and Bryants injury. As a result, the network settled for the Houston-Phoenix game instead. ... The Lakers hosted the Nets for the first time since Nov. 20, 2012, the night Mike DAntoni coached his first game with Los Angeles. DAntonis teams are 21-8 against the Nets, including a 9-5 mark during his three-plus seasons with the Knicks. jerseys from china . -- The Memphis Grizzlies celebrated the return of Marc Gasol with a victory over one of the leagues top teams -- and one of their biggest rivals. cheap jerseys .J. -- Cam Atkinson scored in the shootout to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Friday. OAKLAND, Calif. -- In three short years, Sean Doolittle transformed himself from a top first base prospect into a shut-down reliever. The Oakland Athletics are rewarding him for it, giving the left-hander a five-year contract Friday for making the improbable switch. The deal contains a pair of club options that could extend the agreement through the 2020 season. "It means everything that the organization thinks of you like that, that they want to keep you around and they think you can be part of teams here for years to come," said Doolittle, a regular in the second deck at As games as a boy with his brother. "If you factor in the road I took to get here and everything I went through to be able to put on this uniform, its really special to know Ill be part of this organization for a while." Oakland announced the contract ahead of a home weekend series against the Houston Astros. Doolittle took his physical Thursday and should sign the agreement as soon as Monday. His 2020 option becomes mutual if he has a combined 100 games finished between 2018 and 2019. The 27-year-old left-hander has been a reliable member of Oaklands talented bullpen since converting from first base late in the 2011 season. He appreciates his new job security -- and still thinks about the path he took to get to this point. "Its crazy," he said. "There are still plenty of times I cant believe I actually did that. The way things worked out, it just makes everything that much better. I dont take a single minute I have up here for granted." He is 7-6 with a 3.10 ERA and four saves in 122 relief appearances, allowing 100 hits with 129 strikeouts in 125 innings. He is 0-00 with a 3. wholesale nfl jerseys. .12 ERA and one save in eight appearances over 8 2-3 innings so far this year, his third big league season. "Hes a guy weve gotten to know on a personal level and we have a ton of faith in the person he is on the field and off the field," said Farhan Zaidi, As assistant general manager and director of baseball operations. "Having to transition from being a position player to a pitcher, thats shown us a lot. Weve seen what everybody else has seen the last two years. Hes been one of the best relievers and setup men in baseball. I think every team would want to have that guy around for as long as possible. That was our motivation." His previous deal was a one-year contract paying $505,000 in the major leagues this season and $295,500 in the minors. The sides reached a basic framework on the new deal before the end of spring training, but still had some language to work out. If Doolittle becomes "Super 2" eligible after this season as expected -- meaning he is just shy of three years of service time -- there are escalators in his new deal based on games finished. Doolittle certainly hopes his role evolves into becoming the regular closer one day. The As brass are thrilled with Doolittles reinvention of himself, though he no longer surprises anybody. "The durability that he has shown, he takes good care of himself, all of the things you look for in the guys you want to get a long-term deal with, he does," manager Bob Melvin said. "With both sides happy about it, its a good deal for us, its a good deal for him. To have a guy like that around for a while is good news to everybody in our clubhouse." cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseyswholesale jerseys ' ' '
