J.R. Smith weighing options

Free-agent Swingman JR Smith is currently showing on her Twitter page and New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers as the teams he is considering.

But the Knicks and Clippers seem to be the front runners to sign him, according to the source familiar with negotiations.

Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said Wednesday that he has spoken with Smith recently and the conversation went "very, very good."

The Knicks are still the presumed favorites to sign Smith, because they can offer him a pro-rated portion of their $ 2.5 million mini-midlevel manager exception and a player option for another year. The New York Daily News reported Thursday that the two sides closer to an agreement. Smith's agent, Leon Rose, met with Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan after Wednesday's Knicks game, the newspaper reported.

The Clippers, meanwhile, can offer Smith only has the veteran minimum for the rest of this season.

While Smith would probably do far more than $ 2.5 million, an unrestricted free agent this summer, security in the player option for next season will be an important factor in his decision, according to a source.

Smith had to fly back to U.S. from China late Wednesday evening. He had expected to make a decision on Tuesday, according to two league sources, but has yet to choose.

Each day that passes is lost money to Smith. New York's $ 2.5 million mid-level exception will be pro-rated for each game missed after 10 February. All other contracts are pro-rated from the beginning of the season, which means that the gap between what the Knicks can offer, and a pro-rated veteran minimum will actually narrow as time passes.

Of course, each day that passes another day new suitors may arise or a team like Indiana - which currently has the most salary cap space in the league - could skip the line and offer more than the Knicks.

Clippers point guard Chris Paul has been actively recruiting Smith, who he played with the Hornets for two seasons.

"I think our chances are very high," Paul told ESPN.com 's Marc Stein earlier this week. "Who knows J.R. better than me?

"Also, he knows he will have the opportunity to play here," said Paul. "He can only make us better."

Paul believes that the presence of three of Smith's former teammates at the conn Clippers roster and the minutes and shots opened the season ending Achilles injury of Chauncey Billups will be strong lures.

Paul - having regard to Kenyon Martin and Billups, who both played with Smith in Denver - told Stein he attributes his optimism to "my relationship with JR, Kenyon relationship with him and Chauncey relationship with him."

The Clippers were interested in Smith even before Billups' injury last week, believing that they could use more offensive firepower off the bench. But it would be a harder sell with the Knicks so desperate for shooters to play along with Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and the rapidly growing Jeremy Lin.

Without Billups, but LA is suddenly offering a greater role, which could offset the Knicks financial edge. The choice will be able to get down to where Smith believes he has the best chance to prove to the rest of the season after signing in China during the lockout.

The challenge for the Clippers is that Smith also is being recruited hard by Anthony, another former Nuggets teammate, who, like Smith and Paul, represented by Rose. Smith has been a legend about his intentions, often respond to fans of the Knicks, Lakers and Clippers heat via his Twitter feed in the days leading up to the end of his Chinese season on Wednesday.

On Tuesday he tweeted that he had a good conversation with Lakers coach Mike Brown.

49ers dim Steelers' bid for top AFC seed with 20-3 victory

Alex Smith was wearing a blue shirt to work Monday Candlestick Park, type of clothes you can see the mechanic. She had a white spot on chest, with his first name stitched in red. This was all part of the final statement.

49ers went to work and actually brought their lunch pails metal, helmets and all other visual symbols grunt workers for the long-awaited matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers traditionally Scrappy.

And work they did.

At night, when lights went out on a Stick - twice, actually - 49ers and the Steelers scored a short-circuit 20-3 gut-check victory.

Ben Roethlisberger GIMP?

No matter what. 49ers defense, playing without injured All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis, showed no mercy for the visiting defenders, who threw for 330 meters, but he limped, grimaced, winced and hobbled with tenderized left leg suffered a high ankle sprain 11 days ago.
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San Francisco discovered Roethlisberger three times and forced him into another lap with chewing. They converted three of movement up to 13 points. Big Ben sacked three times, too.

"Defense played lights out," said Smith, encourage laughter during the game after the press conference. "No pun intended."

Roethlisberger said: "I make no excuses, I played bad football ball, I turned that one on me ...."

49ers defense that set a season record 14 games without starting NFL rushing touchdown, if you live in the home quarterback. It held Pittsburgh to three points lower season and gave Smith a cushion to work with.

He passed for 187 meters, which is an almost overwhelming number of happy NFL films today. But perhaps most importantly, Smith was fired, and never made turnovers. His work, when it matters most - like race rollout back to tight end Vernon Davis to 21 meters, setting a handy 1-yard touchdown throw to Davis after the game in the third quarter to extend lead at 13-3 - was nearly perfect.

She helped the 49ers (11.3), which has secured the NFC West crown, closer to providing a first-round bye and stay ahead of the New Orleans Saints to pursue a No. 2 seed.

"Great War, because I'm here," said Smith, the seventh year. "Both teams had a lot on the line."

Pittsburgh (10-4), playing without suspended All-Pro linebacker James Harrison, passed a chance to gain sole possession of first place in the AFC North.

"We must acknowledge that 49er football today," said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. "We played the game on their terms. Turnovers created. We got a few games concept. They control the ball. Played with head and played, as they play.

"We had the opportunity and we have to catch it."

49ers won more than 100 yards less than Pittsburgh (389-287), but not waste this opportunity. For example, already in the fourth quarter, after the rookie Smith, Aldona barrel in forcing Roethlisberger fumble, recovered by Justin Smith, Steelers 17, 49ers quickly cashed in a 5-yard touchdown run by Frank Gore (18 rushes, 65 yards ) to the point, which essentially closed the door on a comeback.

Interestingly, the 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh chosen to give space to be provided to third goal David Akers, and that the procedures after Lawrence Timmons was identified as a controversial penalty to jump 28-yard goal try.

"At the gate, he still would have been a two-point game," Harbaugh explained. "With a goal, we have the three-point game."

Harbaugh, front-runner for NFL coach of year honors after leading the 49ers to move the bed first game since 2002 in the first year, welcomed the fullness of victory.

"It was a team victory," he said.

He was also one in which the 49ers will not soon forget the other reason.

Excavation was delayed about 20 minutes after the transformer, which is located outside the stadium failed. Source was switched to a backup generator.

What was the 49ers locker room during pregame failure?

"It was dark," said Harbaugh, of course, facts. "Any kind of rolled with it."

Second outage in the second quarter, caused a 16-minute delay.

"Strange," said Smith. "It's not something you expect. For the first time, was not nearly as bad. But when you sit outside in the playground, and they go out and do not know how long it will take ... just kind of deal with. "

At this point, Harrison - serving a game suspension for illegal helmet to helmet came in Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, and watching from afar - from fun tweeted: ". If I can not play, nobody can play"

It is clear that the 49ers never got a tweet.

Lamar Odom dealt to Dallas

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom, so hurt by that are included in three team trade for Chris Paul, who was rejected by the NBA last week, finally was treated on Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks for $ 8.9 million trade exception, but also as a protected first round pick.

Lakers also threw in a 2012 second-round draft pick in the deal, which came two days after trading Odom asked, according to Lakers team source.

"Right now, for me, after Odom, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, we have the best forward trio in the league at this time. And that's exciting," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "Lamar Odom is a person we have great respect as a person and as an all-around player in this league, we believe that it goes so many different sizes to add to our -., long playing, noting experience, championship experience."

Odom will help the recovery of the Mavs "out Tyson Chandler to New York Knicks.

"Excited," said Nowitzki, he describes his first emotion when hearing the deal. "I mean, really Lamar Odom trade exception - and I do not even know what it is. - So we turned nothing into a major player always a fan of his game because he has always been a great player on all sides. He is very smooth, very fun to watch, so I think he will fit in great. He can play multiple positions, it can keep a few items, it is long, so I think he will fit well. "

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak Odom praised for his time in Los Angeles

"Lamar is a great player for us in his seven years with the Lakers and is crucial to help us win two championships," said Kupchak. "He's always done with class and professionalism and we wish him success in the rest of his career."

Whether the Lakers trade exception use Dallas in the trade later, at least for the Lakers think that could trade disgruntled player to move while saving nearly $ 18 million salary and luxury tax penalties, said a source. Another team source said the concern Odom would not be as important role this season under new coach Mike Brown as he was in Jackson when he was summoned to the triangle to activate the offense when he ground the second module .

Without these additional responsibilities, Odom is a very expensive substitute for holding a list.

Odom, 32, an average of 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game last season while shooting a career 53 percent from the field. He contributed to two championship-winning teams and was named the league's Sixth Man of the Year last season. He has spent 11 of his 12 seasons in the NBA in Los Angeles (seven with the Lakers, Clippers four).

Calls to Odom and Schwartz made by ESPNLosAngeles.com not immediately returned.

Odom is a Laker teammates said they are not satisfied with the transaction.

"To be honest, I enjoy it," said Bryant. "It's hard to lose Lamar. Pau (Gasol) is still here and we are all grateful. It's hard when you have been through so many battles with players to see just go somewhere else. It's difficult."

Bryant and Derek Fisher led a chorus of confused anger of the Lakers, who have no idea what their plans front office just two weeks before the season opener. Los Angeles is believed to be working on a deal for Orlando center Dwight Howard, but the trade exception acquired from Dallas, only a small part of any deal.

"As a basketball player, but are confused about what its focus should be," said Fischer. "I am very frustrated and disappointed for (Odom and Gasol). If you select will be Lamar Laker for life."

Bryant said he hates seeing Odom left Los Angeles: "Especially for them we had to go back and get them back to difficult ... I think the lack Who did we get here I do not think. ..? Mark Cuban is protesting this trade . "

Odom said he was hurt by that are included in the sunken trading Paul to New Orleans. Los Angeles, Houston and New Orleans agreed to a deal Thursday that would Odom and Lakers forward Pau Gasol sent to the New Orleans Hornets guard for Paul. Gasol will then be sent to Houston for Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic and 2012 first round pick.

NBA Commissioner David Stern nixed trade shortly thereafter and said he got in the best interest of the Hornets, currently controlled by the league to protect it while shopping for a new owner of the franchise.

As a result of the canceled transaction beaten by Odom of the Lakers first day of training camp on Friday. He noted, however, go to the practical possibility of face to face meeting with general manager Mitch Kupchak, in which he speaks his desire to be traded, depending on the source to have. Kupchak asked Odom to reconsider its position and said the 12-year veteran is considering its decision.

"You do not want to put no, I do not want," Odom to the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.

Odom refrained from practicing again on Saturday, instead of using practice time to undergo annual physical team. In an interview with Lakers management on Saturday, Odom agent, Jeff Schwartz, Odom confirmed their desire to be traded, the source said.

While Odom chose to stay away from the team, while trade is still in motion, Gasol continues to practice with the team during this time. Gasol was present at the team media day Sunday, and even filmed a TV promo for the Lakers' Christmas Day game against Chicago. He looked at the camera and said: "We are back" while wearing his Lakers jersey № 16.

Gasol practiced with the team Sunday after media day festivities.

"I do not think this person is not," said Gasol. "This is a business move, I think. The franchise is trying to do everything possible for the best interest of the franchise and the team. ... I'll just have to be professional. My desire is to stay here. I as part of this team this franchise, this city, the fans, everybody. It was during the last few days of uncertainty and insecurity. And perhaps it is not over.

"I'm just going to be as professional as I can do my job and just do what I like and play basketball and play with a team I love to play."