Category: Uncategorized

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Power forward Josh Smith has been waived by the Detroit Pistons and the Sacramento Kings might be interested in making him an offer. Over the summer rumors persisted that the Kings and Pistons were trying to work out a trade that would have sent the 6-foot-9 Smith to Sacramento.

“Our team has not performed the way we had expected throughout the first third of the season and adjustments need to be made in terms of our focus and direction,” said Stan Van Gundy, Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Detroit Pistons.  “We are shifting priorities to aggressively develop our younger players while also expanding the roles of other players in the current rotation to improve performance and build for our future.  As we expand certain roles, others will be reduced.  In fairness to Josh, being a highly versatile 10-year veteran in this league, we feel it’s best to give him his freedom to move forward.  We have full respect for Josh as a player and a person.”

It is no secret that the Kings have been looking to upgrade their roster at the power forward position. The Kings have been the subject of trade rumors that would have Brooklyn power forward/center Mason Plumlee heading to Sacramento with point guard Deron Williams. That deal is currently in limbo because the Nets are reluctant to let go of Plumlee.

Smith is 10-year veteran who has averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game for Detroit. He has a 39.1 field goal percentage to go with a subpar 46.8 free throw percentage. Smith comes with questions about his willingness to be a team player. Rumors persist that Smith was a disruptive force for the Pistons.

The Kings currently have Jason Thompson starting at power forward with Derrick Williams coming off the bench with the second unit. Thompson is a consistent but not flashy performer while Williams has flashes of brilliance to go with inconsistent performances at the “four spot”. The Kings have been interested moving Thompson and his contract for some time. Thompson was signed to his current contract by former Sacramento general manager Geoff Petrie.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Mavericks may also be interested in Smith’s services. Smith becomes available on Wednesday if and when he clears waivers.

By Morris Phillips

In a season of second half letdowns, the 49ers let themselves down to new depths on Saturday night at Levi’s Stadium.

In a half of great highs and lows, the 49ers squandered leads of 28-7 and 35-21 only to lose to the playoff-hopeful Chargers, 38-35 in overtime.  With less than six minutes remaining in regulation, the Chargers parlayed a big fumble recovery into a pair of touchdowns to force overtime.

For the 49ers, a team-record 355 yard team rushing effort was wasted by a pair of second half turnovers that led directly to San Diego touchdowns. On the Chargers’ final drive, a depleted and fatigued 49ers’ defense allowed a 14-play, 80-yard drive culminating with Philip Rivers connecting with Malcom Floyd on an 11-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds remaining.

“That’s just what we do and who we are,” Philip Rivers said. “We’re going to go fight like crazy and see what happens. We just kind of kept that mantra the whole second half, and kept looking up and kept getting closer and closer and was able to tie it up there late.”

Then in overtime, on the initial possession of the period, Bruce Ellington fumbled attempting to stretch a run on a reverse, and the Chargers gained possession near midfield. Nine plays later, kicker Nick Novak gave San Diego the win with a 40-yard field goal.

The Chargers found the entirety of the evening uplifting, a validation of a team and its players believing in each other and facing overwhelming adversity going 100 mph. For the 49ers, the collapse was another example of a season gone wrong, complete with multiple late game collapses, in particular losses to the Rams and Bears, non-playoff teams, that spoiled the initial season in Santa Clara.

“It’s been a tough year for our team,” Frank Gore said. “Even starting in camp, it has just been injury after injury. It’s hard to win when you don’t have your top guys, but I am happy for the guys who did step up.”

Gore rebounded from a concussion that cut short his afternoon in Seattle, with a 158-yard rushing performance that included a 52-yard touchdown run in the game’s early minutes that put San Francisco up 7-0. Colin Kaepernick took off on a 90-yard touchdown run at the conclusion of the third quarter that re-established a two-touchdown lead for the 49ers.

The 49ers conclude their season next Sunday against Arizona at Levi’s Stadium, a game that will hold great influence on whether Arizona or Seattle capture the NFC West.

In a season of second half letdowns, the 49ers let themselves dowium.

In a half of great highs and lows, the 49ers squandered leads of 28-7 and 35-21 only to lose to the playoff-hopeful Chargers, 38-35 in overtime.  With less than six minutes remaining in regulation, the Chargers parlayed a big fumble recovery into a pair of touchdowns to force overtime.

For the 49ers, a team-record 355 yard team rushing effort was wasted by a pair of second half turnovers that led directly to San Diego touchdowns. On the Chargers’ final drive, a depleted and fatigued 49ers’ defense allowed a 14-play, 80-yard drive culminating with Philip Rivers connecting with Malcom Floyd on an 11-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds remaining.

“That’s just what we do and who we are,” Philip Rivers said. “We’re going to go fight like crazy and see what happens. We just kind of kept that mantra the whole second half, and kept looking up and kept getting closer and closer and was able to tie it up there late.”

Then in overtime, on the initial possession of the period, Bruce Ellington fumbled attempting to stretch a run on a reverse, and the Chargers gained possession near midfield. Nine plays later, kicker Nick Novak gave San Diego the win with a 40-yard field goal.

The Chargers found the entirety of the evening uplifting, a validation of a team and its players believing in each other and facing overwhelming adversity going 100 mph. For the 49ers, the collapse was another example of a season gone wrong, complete with multiple late game collapses, in particular losses to the Rams and Bears, non-playoff teams, that spoiled the initial season in Santa Clara.

“It’s been a tough year for our team,” Frank Gore said. “Even starting in camp, it has just been injury after injury. It’s hard to win when you don’t have your top guys, but I am happy for the guys who did step up.”

Gore rebounded from a concussion that cut short his afternoon in Seattle, with a 158-yard rushing performance that included a 52-yard touchdown run in the game’s early minutes that put San Francisco up 7-0. Colin Kaepernick took off on a 90-yard touchdown run at the conclu

By: Joe Lami

The San Jose Sharks had to come from behind twice on Thursday night to beat the struggling Edmonton Oilers 4-3. The win for San Jose marks their eighth straight game in which they earned the victory on home ice. Thursday night was an important one, as the Oilers entered the night 1-16 in the last 17 games played with the lone victory against the Sharks two weeks ago in Alberta.

Boyd Gordon started the scoring for the Oilers, getting the lone goal in the first period. The puck kicked out from the sidewall into an empty slot, as four San Jose defenders were trying to retrieve the puck from the corner. Gordon was able to pick it up and get a quick backhander through San Jose’s Antti Niemi’s five-hole for the 1-0 lead at the 14:43 mark.

The Sharks tied the game in the second period with a James Sheppard goal. Sheppard was set up with a beautiful pass from Barclay Goodrow behind the net to the slot at the 5:51 mark. Sharks’ head coach, Todd McLellan commented on Sheppards play of late “He (Sheppard) is really starting to come into a leadership role. He’s leading that third line”.

It took just 1:37 later for the Sharks to take the lead. This time off of the stick of Logan Couture. Couture received a pass from defenseman, Brendan Dillion, entering the zone and shot a rocket from the left circle beating Oilers’ goalkeeper, Ben Scrivens, top corner stick side. “I surprised Scrivens. He didn’t think I was gonna shoot and it got on him quickly”, commented Couture.

The lead wouldn’t last long for San Jose, as Edmonton had a quick answer. 47 seconds after the Sharks took the lead the Oilers tied it. Steven Pinzzotto notched his second of the season on a scramble out in front of the net. He poked it past Niemi for the 2-2 tie.

The Oilers had the lead going into the third period. Much thanks to Ryan Nuget-Hopkins who notched his ninth goak of the year. Once again, Niemi gave up a bad rebound and the Oilers capitalized. Jordan Eberle picked up the assist, as he shot it towards the net, Niemi gave up the rebound, and Nuget-Hopkins was there on the doorstep for the goal.

San Jose trailed going into the third period. Sharks’ forward, Joe Pavelski, said “It took us too long to get going”. McLellan added “They were beating us in the blue paint all night. It wasn’t even close actually”.

However, the Sharks finally got it going in the third. Once again two quick goals, 34 seconds a part, were enough for San Jose to squeak by. Matt Tennyson scored his first of his NHL career at the 8:29 mark on the power play. Tennyson gained entry after receiving a pass from Tommy Wingles. His shot from the right circle beat Scrivens stick side to tie the game. McLellan commented of the severity of the goal in San Jose Sharks’ history , “When Mr. Gund (the Sharks’ former owner who passed away two seasons ago) created this team, his dream was for a San Jose kid to score a goal. Tonight (Tennyson) achieved his dream”.

Barclay Goodrow, Thursday night’s first star, scored the game winner at 9:03 of the third period. Goodrow received a pass from defenseman, Brent Burns, to get the breakaway. After fighting off Oilers’ defenseman, Justin Schultz, he slipped the backhander past Scrivens for the game winner.

San Jose’s rookies were on fire tonight, accounting for a combined five points, and being part of three of the Sharks four goals. “The rookies are really starting to feel like they belong here, playing at this level”, added McLellan.

The Sharks hope to keep make it a perfect five-for-five home stand, as the host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

Follow Joe Lami on Twitter: @joe_lami

Photo Credit: Ivanmakarov at en.wikipedia [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)%5D, from Wikimedia Commons

By Morris Phillips

The effort was there, the results were not.

The 49ers annual trip to the sound den at Century Link Field in Seattle saw the 49ers battle but come up short.  The showing was a stark reminder that the NFC finalists of the three previous seasons have slipped dramatically.  The 17-7 loss was also the official end of the team’s playoff hopes as the 49ers were officially eliminated from the post-season hunt.

After the game, the 49ers faced numerous questions about their new reality: a first-ever three-game losing streak in the Harbaugh era, which almost certainly will end at the conclusion of the season, and how that will affect their mindset entering the final two games of the season. The suddenly loquacious Colin Kaepernick, embracing the role of team leader, spoke loudest.

“I think, regardless of the situation, we are going out to win.  There is no one on this team that is going to step out on the field and say, ‘Hey, our season is over, we are not going out to compete.”

If nothing else, the 49ers’ situation is more clearly defined after their trip to Seattle.  As they did defensively last year in the ill-fated NFC Championship, the 49ers’ defense held the Seahawks to just a field goal in the first half only to be done in by Russell Wilson and crew in the second half.  Injuries to Chris Borland and Michael Wilhoite, the team’s new—if not as accomplished—answer to Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman were the key to Seattle establishing Marshawn Lynch, who gained 76 of his 91 yards after the break when Borland and Wilhoite departed.

Just as integral to the injuries that cost the 49ers their two key tacklers, was the patience and confidence of the Seahawks, who were able to fashion two scoring drives in the final 20 minutes of the game to seize control.  And as Wilson finally stood up to the 49ers and their staunch defensive effort, it was made that much easier by a 49ers’ offense that disappeared after the half.  The 49ers were limited to just 76 yards in offense after halftime, and their 3^rd down opportunities were anything but as the Seattle pass rush kept Kaepernick scrambling with few escape routes.

“It’s just a maximum group effort,” Seattle’s K.J. Wright said.  “Everybody is getting to the ball and making plays.  We’re not letting teams breathe out there.”

As unexpected as the 49ers’ initial competitiveness, the performance of Seattle’s defense was not.  In shutting down the 49ers when it mattered the Seahawks’ defense was simply doing what it’s been doing.  In their four-game win streak, Seattle has allowed just 27 points, 10 of those to the 49ers in two games.

With Seattle running around making plays, what ails the 49ers became crystal clear.  The 49ers’ injury-riddled offensive line can’t protect or pass block anywhere near a championship level.  Wondering why Kaepernick has regressed?  Wonder no more: key downfield target Vernon Davis is a wounded performer still limited from two very violent collisions earlier in the year and the injuries that resulted, and the rest of receiving corps offers little in terms of speed and ability to separate from defensive backs.

Davis played throughout, but saw just two passes thrown his way.  Michael Crabtree’s answer to all the verbal abuse thrown his way by Richard Sherman was to catch three passes, which combined totaled less than 20 yards.  Not letting up on the 49ers’ key possession receiver, Coach Pete Carroll demanded a review of Crabtree’s first catch as if it was unbelievable that he could catch a pass of any length with Sherman guarding him.

And the 49ers’ pass catching leader?  Fullback Bruce Miller who needed to be all things in all places with Gore and Hyde sidelined and the 49ers’ receivers blanketed.  Miller grabbed four balls for 56 yards.

In addition, the running game wasn’t exactly humming along, then Frank Gore was lost to a concussion and rookie Carlos Hyde had his afternoon end on a play where his knee and leg were visibly twisted during a tackle.  At least in Gore’s defense, he made a gutsy run on fourth down in the first quarter that went 10 yards for the 49ers’ only score of the day.

And what of the 49ers’ immediate future?  In the final two weeks, anticipate seeing more of the team’s record draft haul that saw the team draft and keep 12 rookies, including Borland and rush linebacker Aaron Lynch.  If the 49ers are brash enough to fire a coach as successful as Harbaugh, then the answer will be to embrace the challenge of hiring someone just as capable and prepared to lean heavily on their young draftees next season and beyond.

It’s not as sexy as deep playoff run, but it is the reality the 49ers face.

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