In today’s news, several general managers shared their opinions on why Jason Collins is still a free agent. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the 76ers are reopening the door on a potential Nerlens Noel sighting this season.
GM cite anticipated media attention as top reason Collins remains unsigned
According to Ric Bucher, several NBA general managers attribute Jason Collins’ availability on the free agent market as a direct fear of the media distraction signing him would bring to a team. 
“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. He’s still good enough to play in the league, but when you throw in the ongoing media frenzy, most teams are going to decide it’s just not worth it.”
RELATED: FIVE THOUGHTS ON JASON COLLINS COMING OUT
Collins spent last season in Boston and Washington and can still contribute in a reserve role for a team in need of a defensive big man and/or veteran leader.
76ers Coach backpedals on Noel comments
After suggesting on Monday that Nerlens Noel would miss the entire season, Philadelphia coach Brett Brown clarified that he is actually unaware of Noel’s status going forward for the upcoming season.
Keith Pompey of the Philadelpha Inquirer reports that Brown thinks Noel might have a chance of playing this season after all.
Brown said the decision to let Noel play this season “is going to be made by a variety of a lot smarter people that me. Who knows what’s going to happen with Nerlens? We hope he can come back.”
Noel tore his the ACL in his left knee in February and was originally scheduled to return to the NBA by some point around Christmas. However, with the 76ers expected to finish this season at the bottom of the standings, the team may choose to let Noel take the entire year for rehab.
I thought it was strange for the rookie coach to announce so early that Noel wouldn’t be playing. Likely heard repercussions from the remaining 76 fans. There were only a few hundred fans in attendance when Nets played in Phila. a couple of weeks ago. It also looks too much like Sixers are trying to Tank season. Even with Nerlens playing limited minutes, I doubt he will make much difference. There will still be only a 25% chance of Phila. getting the top draft pick.
Since the Wizards regular season was already over when Collins “came out”, should SI / Time and other magazines retract their headlines that he was the 1st active player? John Amaechi “came out” in 2007, after retiring from Utah. He deserves to be acknowledged. The “movement” wasn’t so “politically correct” back in 2007. Phil Jackson has said recently that he hasn’t met a gay person in the NBA, in his whole NBA career. Maybe the Media should take responsibility for creating this whole situation. Noone cares about Gay women in the WNBA or other sports and there are no open discussions about why there is a difference. Also noone has ever asked why Jason’s Identical Twin bother, Jarron, didn’t turn out to be gay? Jarron retired from the NBA 2 years ago, after no interest in his similar basketball skills. The mainstream media seems to have an Agenda. People who disagree with that Agenda are afraid to speak up because this is a very powerful movement that wants everyone to ignore Biology.