Gaming History » CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals activated Danny Val

HOUSTON - Josh Smith has been a nice addition to the contending Houston Rockets and simply ignores those who credit Detroits recent success to his release.After all, the Rockets have been doing just fine lately, too.The Pistons have gone 11-2 since he was let go in the second season of a four-year, $54 million contract, causing some to throw around the phrase addition by subtraction when discussing their recent turnaround.It didnt upset me, Smith said. People have opinions and talk about things in the media that they dont necessarily personally know anything about. So you really cant let that affect whats going on.The 29-year-old forward still communicates with a number of the Pistons and is pleased to see them doing well after their early season struggles. He added that many of his detractors dont know the true story of what happened in Detroit.They made decisions that they thought was beneficial to their team, he said. I wish them nothing but success, but Im just focusing on what I can do to help this team win games.The negativity certainly hasnt slowed him down with Houston, where hes averaged 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 14 games.He started four games early, but acknowledged that he needed more time to adjust to his new team and has thrived since moving into a reserve role, averaging almost 12 points in those games.The Rockets have gone 6-3 in the nine games in which hes come off the bench after starting and they entered Sundays game 28-13 and in second place in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. At this point, he isnt worried about returning to the starting lineup.For right now, this is whats having the team so successful, he said. Im all (for) doing what it takes for us to win. Im willing to do whatever it takes.He called his opportunity in Houston a new beginning, and is feeling much more confident on the court now that hes had some time to adjust.It was very, very crazy, he said of his first few days with the Rockets. It was the first time in my career it happened and having to move everything and get myself acclimated to the team was an adventure, but it was also kind of nerve wracking. But everything is starting to smooth itself out.Coach Kevin McHale is pleased that the Rockets were able to add a veteran player of Smiths calibre to a team that already has stars Dwight Howard and NBA leading-scorer James Harden.Josh brings an ability to handle the ball, pass the ball. Hes a good distributor. He breaks people down off the dribble, McHale said. So I think Josh is getting a little more comfortable with what were doing and I think hes going to continue to help us.Smith is happy in Houston where hes been reunited with Howard, a childhood friend and AAU teammate who was the best man in his wedding.This is a guy that Ive known since preschool and for us to be able to play together at the highest level of basketball, its definitely a blessing, Smith said, and were relishing the moment and maximizing our potential as much as possible while were together.And Houstons big man is the first to take up for Smith when it comes to the situation in Detroit, where he was averaging 13.1 points a game before his release.That team is playing pretty good basketball right now, but so are we, Howard said. Hes been a great piece for us and a great addition. You cant really focus on what everybody else is saying, all you can do is control what you do on the floor.Howard is no stranger to criticism himself after his tumultuous season with the Lakers where there were rumblings that he had problems with Kobe Bryant.When you leave somebody, the first thing they want to do is try to figure out all your flaws and try to expose them to the world, Howard said. In this profession, youve got to understand that and not allow that to affect your mind. Air Max 270 Wholesale . “The shootout, theres nothing wrong with it, I think its an exciting part of the game but its just one small aspect,” said Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. “Its a skill exhibition. If you can get it back closer to regular hockey and have it decided that way; that would be my preference.” “I dont think its a knock on the shootout, I think more of the managers would like to see it end in overtime,” added Washington Capitals GM George McPhee. Nike Air Max 270 Sale Outlet . 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Valencia went on the disabled list June 1 with a muscle strain in his left hand. He hit .246 with one home run and seven RBIs in 20 games before the innjury.dddddddddddd He went 3 for 11 with a home run, three walks in three rehab games with Triple-A Omaha. The Royals optioned right-hander Louis Coleman, who was 1-0 with a 6.41 ERA in 18 relief appearances, to Omaha. The Royals are going with a 12-man pitching staff with Colemans demotion. ' ' 'to fingertip around the base of his post.Moments later, Callejons fierce strike crashed off the crossbar.Marek Hamsik also hit the crossbar shortly before halftime after De Sanctis had denied Higuain.Napoli doubled its lead six minutes from time as a delightful diagonal pass from Higuain allowed Callejon to slot past De Sanctis. ' ' '