Golden State Warriors: The Difference This Season

It has not been the easiest start to the 2011-12 NBA season for the Golden State Warriors. Three games in four nights, and all of them against teams penciled into the NBA playoffs before the season began.

Report: Oakland A's Granted Permission by MLB to Move to San Jose

Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweeted this morning that the MLB is very much leaning towards allowing the Oakland A's to move to San Jose, overriding the San Francisco Giants' territorial rights to Santa Clara County that the team has had since the 1990's.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks Preview & Prediction

If you claimed at the beginning of the season that going into Week 16 the NFC West would be one of the more hotter and potentially dangerous divisions in the NFL, someone would have slapped some sense into you several times over. However, the 49ers, Seahawks and Cardinals are arguably on the NFL's list of teams playing the best football around.

5 New Year's Resolutions for the San Jose Sharks

For what it is worth, the San Jose Sharks 2011-12 season has not gone according to plan, to say the least. New players and lousy play in many aspects of the game have caused inconsistency in the win column for a team that was supposed to breeze through another regular season unscathed.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Preview & Prediction

It is tough to say, but in some ways, the Week 15 match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers is the San Francisco 49ers' biggest game of the 2011 NFL season.

There are several explanations for this. The game is being played on Monday Night Football with an entire nation watching a top 3 team

San Francisco 49ers' New Stadium in Santa Clara: News, Update and Predictions

While the Oakland A's and Golden State Warriors' potential moves out of Oakland are mere speculation and far from final, the San Francisco 49ers' move to Santa Clara is as serious as it gets. It only received an added boost on Wednesday.

Let's call it an all but done deal.

Golden State Warriors' New Arena in San Francisco: News, Update and Predictions

If there is one thing we should know about relatively new Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, it is that he means business.

Since taking over the team from the cold, dead clutch of former owner Chris Cohan in 2010, he has fired Don Nelson, replaced him with Keith Smart, replaced him with Mark Jackson, acquired David Lee, added a couple good draft picks and rid this franchise of the bad mojo it had carried for decades.

Oakland A's New Stadium in San Jose: News, Update and Predictions

What a roller coaster this new Oakland A's ballpark saga has become.

The latest news from the baseball world is that MLB commissioner Bud Selig will not be granting the A's permission to build in San Jose.  However, that report has been reported false by Selig, who said that no decision has been made.

For the A's to build a stadium in San Jose, Selig would have to overturn the San Francisco Giants' territorial rights to the South Bay.

Prior to that, Oakland mayor Jean Quan, whose recall petition is making the rounds as we speak, will be sending MLB Commissioner Bud Selig a formal letter stating that the City of Oakland would like to keep the

San Jose Sharks: 5 Players That Deserve to Play in the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, But Will Not

As it stands now, the San Jose Sharks will have a hard time getting one of their players into the 2012 NHL All-Star Game.

Currently, the most likely scenario would be Dan Boyle and Brent Burns earning defenseman spots on the Western Conference

San Jose Sharks: Dan Boyle Becoming Weak Link on Much-Hyped Defense

As i watched Dan Boyle accumulate three terrible penalties in a crucial game late last month against the Chicago Blackhawks, it seemed to be the last straw in saying that Boyle was the only player on the defense not pulling his weight this season.

San Francisco Giants: Trade for Angel Pagan Better Than We Think

On the surface, the San Francisco Giants' trade of Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez for Angel Pagan seemed like a move that was pressured primarily because of the 2011 Winter Meetings and the understanding that the Giants would be involved in acquiring a bat.

San Jose Sharks: 5 Teams That Could Use Antero Niittymaki

It has been a tough break for Antero Niittymaki since becoming a San Jose Shark, especially in the last year.

Injuries have kept him down, and now with Thomas Greiss playing excellent in net in relief of Antti Niemi, it would seem that Niittymaki's days in teal are numbered.

San Jose Sharks: 5 Moves Todd McLellan Needs To Make

We shouldn't be surprised by a little inconsistency on the part of the San Jose Sharks. It seems every year this team starts off slow, then suddenly runs away with the Pacific Division.

The Good and the Bad of the San Francisco 49ers' Loss to the Baltimore Ravens

It is not often we can find good things about a loss at the hands of a playoff-bound AFC foe on one of the greatest stages the NFL has to offer. But the San Francisco 49ers managed to escape Baltimore on Thanksgiving Day with at least a little of their dignity and a secure spot as one of the remaining elite in the NFL.

San Jose Sharks' Penalty Kill Growing As A Unit

It is funny how the NHL works. From week to week, it seems that you can never tell which part of the team will either break down or become clutch in the right moments.

For the Sharks, a penalty kill that was the weakest part of their game just two weeks ago seems to be a key force on the ice in the last week.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens Preview & Prediction

Throw out the first 10 games. Throw out the tests that were the Eagles, Lions and Giants. Even throw out the 9-1 record because the San Francisco 49ers were never going to get the full respect until their Week 12 match-up with the Baltimore Ravens. It will be the team's biggest test and measuring bar on Thanksgiving day on one of the biggest regular season stages of the entire year.

San Francisco 49ers: Things to Pay Attention to Against Baltimore Ravens

The 49ers domination of division foe Arizona resulted in some good things discovered and some really bad things that should set up an intriguing match-up on Thanksgiving Day against the Baltimore Ravens.

San Jose Sharks Not Shy in Big Games This Season

It is hard to call any games "big" this early in the 2011-12 NHL season, but for the sake of the argument the San Jose Sharks have had a few, and won nearly all of them.

What defines a big game?

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals Preview & Prediction

Have the 49ers done enough to sway you into thinking they are Super Bowl contenders?

You better believe it.

It is hard to argue with a relentless defense, physical running back and a quarterback that can manage a game with the best in the NFL.

And so the Arizona Cardinals dawdle into Candlestick Park with an acquired quarterback that does not work and a team hoping for next season. That will not stop them from playing a gritty game against one of the NFL's elite.

San Jose Sharks: Top Prospects in Their System

The San Jose Sharks have made their mark in the NHL as a Western Conference powerhouse that is inches away from getting over that hurdle and into the Stanley Cup Finals.

Detroit Red Wings Pose Early Season Test For San Jose Sharks

The rivalry that is Sharks/Red Wings goes back many years, and everyone knows that story well whether you root for one team or the other.

For now, the rivalry has swung the Sharks' way after two seasons of playoff exits for the Red Wings at the hands of the Sharks. Suddenly, San Jose is a playoff powerhouse after so many years of looking up at Detroit. If only they could get over that last hurdle, and there always seems to be one that time of year.

San Francisco 49ers Yet to Prove Themselves to the Monday Morning Quarterback

The San Francisco 49ers (8-1) took yet another step towards the NFL's best when they defeated the New York Giants (6-3) in their biggest test this season.

Even without Frank Gore, the 49ers managed to pull away a win from the Giants who have made their mark this season with late-game scores, and San Francisco was a Justin Smith batted ball away from possibly falling into that same category.

San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants Preview & Prediction

A test...finally a test.

Before Week 1, did you think that would be what we were saying in Week 10?

Not sure many did, but the match-up agains the New York Giants on Sunday will be an actual test, and a good one at that.

San Jose Sharks: Todd McLellan Tinkering With the Defensive Third Line

The San Jose Sharks have clicked as a team, simply said. Martin Havlat has made an impression that second line and the team is continually growing together to gain chemistry with one another as the season is progressing.

San Francisco Giants: Jonathan Sanchez Dealt For Melky Cabrera

Hot stove this early? Evidently, yes, because the San Francisco Giants traded Jonathan Sanchez to the Royals for Melky Cabrera on Monday.

In fact, Giants GM Brian Sabean may have managed to force a wry smile after hearing that the Royals actually wanted to take Sanchez off their hands.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins Preview & Predictions

The San Francisco 49ers will make their way to Washington D.C. this week to take on the Redskins looking for their sixth straight win and continue their undefeated season on the road.

Let's lay the facts out here because they should pretty much tell the story for how we can presume this game to end up. The 49ers are looking to

San Jose Sharks: 5 Players That Need To Step Their Game Up

The San Jose Sharks have officially clicked as a team, after a 5-1 east coast road trip has revived this team's very early season blunders.

The addition of Martin Havlat has stabilized the Sharks' second line, and Joe Pavelski is having a field day with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau on the first line.

San Francisco 49ers Have Much to Prove If They Want To Be Super Bowl Contenders

If there is one thing we have learned this far into the NFL season, it is that Jim Harbaugh is a genius and all others are less than him.

Ok. Maybe that is too strong, but he has a strategy to coaching that could not be figured out in college and has yet to be figured out in the NFL.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Cleveland Browns Preview & Predictions

The Week 8 match-up of the 49ers (5-1) and Browns (3-3) has "comebacks" as a part of its storyline. Braylon Edwards is still questionable no matter how optimistic Jim Harbaugh is, and Peyton Hillis' possible return to the Cleveland backfield. Montario Hardesty has run rather well in Hillis' absence, but it will be good to have the Madden '12 cover boy on the field again.

Comparing the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild Trades Now

Hindsight is 20/20. I believe that is how the saying goes. However, when the San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild made their series of trades this past offseason, there was no turning back, and there really was no need to. Both teams walked away feeling better about their teams heading forward.

Fast forward to two weeks into the 2011-12 NHL season, and what is the consensus on how each of these teams did in those trades?

San Jose Sharks: 5 Players Projected For Big Seasons So Far

The San Jose Sharks are not off to the most ideal start at 4-3-0 through the first two weeks of the season. However, we can still get a good look of how this team will fair come mid-season and further.

The roster is stacked head-to-toe with talented players seeking a shot at the Cup and this season is as good as ever for this franchise to win one.

San Jose Sharks: What To Make of the Team's Slow Start

How do you explain a team with this many talented players and that much of a hype surrounding them starting the season off 1-3?

You got me. In fact, you may have everyone.

The offense, on paper, is solid. The defense, on paper, is a surefire hit. Then why have they lost three games in a row at the beginning of the season?

Composure and Resilience Define Jim Harbaugh's Impact on San Francisco 49ers

Forget the infamous Jim Harbaugh/Jim Schwartz postgame scuffle. Forget Schwartz' comments before the game. Forget Harbaugh's over-celebratory postgame handshake to a Lions coach that was clearly not in the mood.

Monday and Tuesday have now passed and with the Harbaugh/Schwartz debate dying down, it is time to talk about the actual game. More specifically, let's talk about the 49ers, a top-3 team in the NFC.

The Lions/49ers game on Sunday was as good an example as any as to what Harbaugh has brought to this team.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Preview & Predictions

As far as i am concerned, if you picked the 49ers and Lions as the game of the season thus far in Week 5, you are a lying liar.

Sure, the Lions were on a roll from last season and the 49ers' franchise received a makeover with Jim Harbaugh at the helm, but a record of 9-1 between them?

San Jose Sharks: What We Learned in First Game of the Season

I don't mean to play off of the unoriginal use of "What did we learn today," which is so overplayed, but there is something to say about seeing the Sharks for the first time this season on TV, in the starting lines and in front of fired up fans.

San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions Have Taken Similar Roads to Week 6 Showdown

When the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions clash this weekend at Ford Field, it will be arguably the game of the NFL season so far.

Anybody predict that one before the season?

What the Lions (4-0) have done thus far has been extremely impressive. And what the 49ers (4-1) have done, especially to the Buccaneers, is equally impressive.

Opening Night 2011 LIVE: San Jose Sharks vs. Phoenix Coyotes

The crazy NHL offseason for the San Jose Sharks has taken us to this destination, Opening Night 2011 at HP Pavilion with a whole different brigade of players in tonight's starting line-up. The Sharks and Wild love affair this offseason sent Dany Heatley and Devin

San Francisco 49ers Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview & Predictions

The 49ers have played the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, arguably better teams that had higher hopes than just a winning record this season. They have played against the Seattle Seahawks and Cincinnati Bengals, arguably much worse teams with top-5 picks in mind in next year's NFL Draft.

However, there is something to be said about playing a team at the much the same caliber as you, which is what we will get when the 49ers play the Buccaneers this Sunday.

Live From the Frys.com Open: Tiger Woods Prepares For Corde Valle Golf Club

Tiger Woods made his first appearance at the Fry's.com Open on Wednesday, joining in a little pro-am fun with some of the higher ups from Fry's Electronics.

Woods did not look entertained during the round, showing only a few smiles. Of course, it was hard to blame him, both of his playing partners were shooting well into the 100's.

NHL Free Agency: Ranking the New Players That Will Help the San Jose Sharks Make the Stanley Cup Finals

The San Jose Sharks made some deals this offseason, to say the least. GM Doug Wilson traded in offensive prowess for speed and bulky defense, giving this San Jose team a whole different look and feel heading into this season.

On paper, the Sharks look to be at the top of the Western Conference yet again. Even more, they have turned their biggest weakness into possibly its greatest asset.

San Francisco 49ers' Comeback Win in Philly Reveals Team on the Rise

Alex Smith did not commit an interception for the second week in a row and the San Francisco 49ers made a second half comeback to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-23 on Sunday.

The 49ers shocked NFL nation with the win, taking their record to 3-1 on the season, and sending the Eagles into a state of self-doubt and a 1-3 record.

San Francisco 49ers Vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preview & Predictions

A week or so ago, no one really cared about this game. The Eagles were going to roll over the 49ers without a problem.

Now with Michael Vick's hand, and the 49ers playing moderately well, this just became a game.

San Jose Sharks: Third & Fourth Lines Coming Into Focus

Just piggy-backing on what David Pollak released in his Working the Corners blog the other day. It looks like we may have our first glimpse into what coach Todd McLellan may be thinking as his third and fourth lines.

Parts were expected, but there may be one or two players on the final two lines that may have surprised some.

The surprise: Tommy Wingels.

5 Most Important Players For the San Jose Sharks This Upcoming Season

The 2011-12 season is an extremely important one for not only the players on the roster but the entire franchise as a whole. Time is ticking on this team, the talent on it and the front office that have made all the right moves but have nothing to show for it.

Jim Harbaugh Learning As the San Francisco 49ers Get Ugly Win Over Cincinnati Bengals

It wasn't pretty, and it may have been one of the worst games on the Week 3 schedule, but the San Francisco 49ers managed to ugly the Bengals to death on Sunday in Cincinnati.

The 49ers are now 2-1 and atop the NFC West by themselves.

No sharing.

San Francisco 49ers Vs. Cincinnati Bengals Preview & Predictions

The San Francisco 49ers will be playing their first away game of the season on Sunday, after being blessed with two home games to start.

The Bengals, on the other hand, will be playing their first home game of the season, after a win at Cleveland and a loss last week to the Broncos.

Fans in Cincinnati will be excited for this one, as they will be getting their first home glimpse of rookies

3 Reasons the San Jose Sharks Can Win It All This Season

Every year you hear it. This is the year the San Jose Sharks will win the Stanley Cup.

Do not feel bad, though. Die-hard fans not only say it, but so do actual NHL experts, and they're paid to make those knowledgeable predictions.

Alas, the Sharks have zero Stanley Cup victories and zero Stanley Cup appearances.

But THIS is the year, right?

Despite Tough Loss, the San Francisco 49ers Are Playing With A New Winning Mentality

No more Mike Nolan, no more Dennis Erickson, no more Mike Singletary. Despite the tough loss in Week 2, Jim Harbaugh's San Francisco 49ers are legitimate contenders no matter how you slice it up.

For the second straight week, the 49ers played simple and basic football to the absolute tee, and it almost worked in Week 2 against a Dallas Cowboys team stocked with weapons both offensively and defensively.

No Dilemma On San Jose Sharks' Defense

If you told San Jose Sharks' coach Todd McLellan after last season that not only would he have one of the best defenses in the NHL going into next season, but that he would have too many good blueliners, he probably would not have believed you.

CSN's Brodie Brazil wrote an article the other day on how the Sharks now have somewhat of a problem on their hands with owning too many equally-talented players on defense.

San Francisco Giants: What If There Was a Second Wild Card Spot?

The President of the San Francisco Giants, Larry Baer, came on KNBR 680 AM the other day and joked about how he hopes MLB Commissioner Bud Selig would create a second wild card spot before the current season ends.

First of all, it was weird to hear the president of a ball club pretty much publicly state that his team has close to zero chance of making the playoffs with a few weeks left. However, that is what kind of honest upper management the Giants have, and i would not have it any other way. Tell it to me straight.