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. Paul Krause Jersey . The pair ended pointless droughts when they each scored two goals in a 6-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets that halted a two-game losing skid for the Stars (15-11-5). Chuck Foreman Jersey .com) - Patrik Elias registered the winner in the shootout as New Jersey nipped Toronto 2-1 at Prudential Center on Wednesday. http://www.cheapvikingsjerseysauthentic....smith-jr-jersey. As each game passes (each has played close with the exception of last night) it becomes clearer just how evenly matched these two teams are and how one mistake, or one bad inning, is likely to sway the result. Wholesale Vikings Jerseys . The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then. Fran Tarkenton Jersey . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday that Hemsky will be going to market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1.Belgium aims for strong start against Algeria - Noon et/9am pt (TSN 1050, TSN 1200, TEAM 1410) Belo Horizonte, Brazil - Belgium makes its return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years on Tuesday at the Estadio Mineirao as the club opens Group H play against underdogs Algeria. The Desert Foxes took part in the 2010 World Cup and failed to advance past the group stage, and the African side figures to have a tough time reaching the last 16 this time around as well. Belgiums last appearance on the big stage was the 2002 tournament when the team reached the second round before bowing out to eventual champions Brazil. And the Red Devils will expect to reach at least the last 16 as the favorites in Group H this year. Head coach Marc Wilmots was a member of the 2002 World Cup team, and he will be on the sidelines this time around. Wilmots doesnt have an extensive coaching resume, but he brings with him a talented young side that could make some noise in Brazil. Belgium has a number of quality attacking options led by 22-year-old Chelsea star Eden Hazard, while Everton winger Kevin Mirallas figures to play opposite Hazard and provide quality service to striker Romelu Lukaku, who was a teammate of Mirallas at Everton this past season while on loan from Chelsea. That trio should provide plenty of scoring chances for Belgium, but how far this team goes could be determined by how well they hold up in defense. Captain Vincent Kompany will serve as the anchor, and he will be joined by players like Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen and Toby Alderweireld in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is coming off a great season with Atletico Madrid. All the ingredients are there for Belgium to make an impact in this tournament, and there is no reason for Wilmots to expect anything less than three points from this opening game. Algeria finished last in Group C in 2010, claiming one point and failing to score a goal in three games. The team will hope for a better showing this year with Sofiane Feghouli at the heart of things in midfield. The Valencia man must provide service for Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani, who is Algerias biggest goal threat, while 19-year-old Nabil Bentaleb is another player to watch in midfield after making a strong debut this past season with Tottenham in the English Premier League. Algeria is captained by veteran defender Madjid Bougherra, and he will have his hands full with the plethora of attacking options in the Belgium side. If Algeria is able to take anything from this match, it will be a big surprise and will change the landscape in Group H. Brazil aims to seize control of Group A against Mexico - 3pm et/Noon pt (TSN 1050, TSN 690, TSN 1260, TEAM 1410) Fortaleza, Brazil - After a fairly straight-forward opening victory last Thursday, host nation Brazil will shoot for its second straight win in Group A play against Mexico at the Estadio Castelao. Brazil got its World Cup campaign off to a flying start last week, easing to a 3-1 victory over Croatia at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo despite a less- than-stellar overall performance. The hosts fell behind early after a cross from the left flank by Ivica Olic that was mishandled by Nikica Jelavic, but the ball was directed home by Brazil defender Marcelo for the own goal. Brazil remained patient despite the early hole and grabbed the equalizer in the 29th minute as Neymar ran onto a pass from Oscar following a giveaway in midfield and fired a low strike that trickled past Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. The match then fully turned in the direction of Brazil when the hosts were handed a questionable penalty decision after Fred went down in the area under minimaal contact from Croatian defender Dejan Lovren.dddddddddddd. Neymar converted the ensuing spot kick to give Brazil the lead in the 71st minute. Croatia pushed in search of a tying goal and came close on several occasions only to be denied by a few key saves from Julio Cesar. But Brazils day would not be ruined as Oscar wrapped up the affair in stoppage time, poking a home a shot from outside the box following a counterattack to hand the hosts the win by a flattering score line. Neymar was thrilled with the result following the match. "It was better than I thought," he said.. "I was hoping that wed win, but to be able to debut in a World Cup with a brace is an unmeasurable joy." Mexico is also looking for a second win in Group A after squeezing past Cameroon, 1-0, on Friday in Natal. Miguel Herreras side was hard done early in the match as two goals were disallowed, but they eventually found the only goal of the contest in the 61st minute. Giovani Dos Santos, who had the early goals taken off the board, had a hand in creating the games only tally when he split the defense and fired a low shot on goal that was stopped by Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje, but Oribe Peralta arrived late to tuck home the rebound. "Despite difficult circumstances, we managed to push forward and put on a nice display," Dos Santos said. "Playing at the World Cup is always a unique experience, and Im grateful to the coach for the trust he placed in me. I feel good - Im happy and motivated." Russia squares off with Korea in Group H tilt - 6pm et/3pm pt (TSN 1050, TSN 1200, TEAM 1410) Cuiaba, Brazil - Fabio Capello returns to the World Cup as manager of Russia, and his side will open Group H play against South Korea at the Arena Pantanal on Tuesday. Capello crashed out of the 2010 World Cup as boss of England in the round of 16, which was a big disappointment for the Three Lions. But the Italian is back on the big stage with Russia, a team that is making its first appearance at the World Cup since 2002. South Korea, meanwhile, has become a fixture at the tournament, reaching the World Cup for the eighth successive time. However, if Koreas qualifying campaign is any indication of where the team is at, they could be making a brief stay in Brazil. South Korea endured a poor qualification cycle that saw the side lose twice to Iran as well as once to Lebanon. But now that Korea has come through it, the Taegeuk Warriors are hoping for a fresh start. Hong Myung-Bo has since taken charge of the team and the former player will try to get the most out of a young side that is in a bit of a transition period. Hong is the most-capped player in South Koreas history, and he was a member of the 2002 side that reached the semifinals of the World Cup, so he knows a thing or two about winning. However, it is tough to see the Koreans having the same kind of success this year, although a favorable draw in Group H gives them a good chance to finish second. The strength of this team is in the midfield with Sunderlands Ki Sung- Yueng and Cardiff Citys Kim Bo-Kyung pulling the strings, and this match with Russia will go a long way toward determining who goes through to the next round. Capellos side has plenty of experience, but the question in this match will be whether they have the legs to keep up with the youthful Koreans. Veterans Sergei Ignashevich and Vasili Berezutski will hold things down in the back for Capello, while Alan Dzagoev controls the midfield. Two players to watch for Russia up top are Aleksander Kokorin and Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who will need to play well for Russia to have a chance at reaching the knockout round. 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