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