Jason Collins should not play in the NBA. He should not play in any top European team. Hell, make him two inches shorter and I don't even picture him as an NBDL benchwarmer (no offense to the D-Leaguers). I appreciate the hard work Jason has put in to get himself a scholarship to play in one of the top conferences in the NCAA, get drafted by a decent NBA team and hang around for 6-plus seasons. I understand that not every NBA player can be a star, or even a good role player, but Jason Collins' presence in the world's best basketball League is an insult to every single sports fan.
If I base my anti-Collins stance on a strictly stats-centric argument, some will understand my posture and nod in agreement, and some will drop to their knees and ask the basketball gods why they have allowed such disgrace to be brought upon us.
Overall, his career numbers are 4.6 ppg and 4.5 rpg, respectable numbers for a journeyman, but appalling for an almost full-time starter. What really is a slap in the face is the fact that this season's numbers might just make up the most disastrous stat line in the history of sports:
1.4 ppg
2.1 rpg
0.2 spg
0.2 bpg
0.5 apg
0.6 TOpg
2.6 PFpg
16mpg
The fact that if you add his steals per game, points per game, blocks per game and assists per game, you'll still have a lower total than you'd get by adding his fouls and turnovers is pathetic. The fact that his 45% fg shooting is an improvement over his career 41% is horrible.
The fact that he shoots 33% from the line is enough to make Ben Wallace shake his head in disgust.
The fact that he still plays in the NBA is sad. Period.
Some will argue that his value really lies on his defense, which can't be measured in numbers. Well, the defensive stats show that he blocks a shot once every 5 games, and that's coming from the center position. He picks up a steal as periodically as he rejects a shot attempt, to keep with the putrid simmetry of his (lack of) performance. And, if we're gonna argue that his contribution can't be measured, I'll bring you the production that can, in fact, be measured: that of his opponents.
- In 5 combined games against the Nets this season, Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph have put up 20+ 4 times.
- Andris Biedrins scored 16 on 7-11 shooting against NJ
- Pau Gasol went 9-15 from the field against the Nets
- The offensive juggernaut that is Jason Maxiell averages 14ppg on 64% shooting from the field vs NJ this season
- Amare Stoudemire scored 28 on 11-16 shooting when the Nets came to Phoenix
- Johan Petro, of all people, had the game of his life against the Nets, going 10-for-15 en route to 22 points. Yes, the same Johan Petro that averages 3.7ppg
- Emeka Okafor, he of the feathery touch, has shot 10-of-11 from the field in two games against NJ this season
I'd look for more numbers to support my theory that Jason Collins is in fact a cyborg created in the former USSR to sabotage basketball's popularity in the US, thus allowing Russia to sneak up and become the world's foremost basketball factory, but I think I've made my point. Jason Collins, please, leave the game of basketball alone.
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