Leading Off

Steve Nash brings his Phoenix Suns to town for tonight's game against the Kings, but it doesn't (and wouldn't) matter if the two-time MVP played in Los Angeles, Manhattan or Mars. At 38, he's still amazing to watch.

Larry Bowa's personality made for a lively show when he was in a major league baseball uniform, and he's still a draw for the MLB Network.

When Gavin and Joe Maloof bought the Kings in 1998, they took over a team that was emerging from a long stretch of mediocrity.

We have seen many greats stay too long in the arena: Willie Mays, Joe Namath, Michael Jordan, Gordie Howe.

So that was fun, Eli Manning and the Giants knocking off the Patriots – and the hoodie – in Super Bowl XLVI.

Which quarterback would you rather have?

In the cutthroat world of football recruiting, "verbal" is a misunderstood word.

This year's college letter-of-intent day put Sacramento in the national spotlight again with the high interest in Grant's Shaq Thompson and Pleasant Grove's Arik Armstead.

In 1977, when the Raiders won their first Super Bowl, they were stable, entertaining and excellent. The team was certainly the better of the two Bay Area franchises, considering the sputtering state of the 49ers (regardless of the team's moderate and temporary resurgence in 1976).

Imagine Major League Baseball playing its All-Star Game in Cancun, Mexico, with pitchers throwing softballs underhand and the bases and fences moved in 30 feet.

Excuse the Patriots and Giants if this year's Super Bowl teams seem more like two unworthy politicians running for office while trying to expose their opponent's weaknesses and covering up their own.

The Giants and A's are vastly different organizations, and a great example of that was Tuesday's announcements of deals with starting pitchers.

The NBA would love to have Kings rookie guard Jimmer Fredette in Orlando next month for All-Star Weekend. After all, he's Jimmer – and fans can't seem to get enough of him.

When it comes to recruiting high school football players, the roles reverse in a hurry.

Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is a star among stars, a showman with unique flair and, despite his 2011 record, a winner. He carries loads of goodwill, based on his eminence and the role he played in bringing a World Series title to San Francisco.

When the Kings take on Denver tonight in just their second home appearance in their past 10 games, you wonder which team will show up at Power Balance Pavilion?

On Sunday night, I felt sorry for Kyle Williams, seeing the pained look on the young man's face as he owned up to his mistakes that cost the 49ers a trip to the Super Bowl.

We ran into a friend recently at a local watering hole and naturally the subject turned to sports – specifically the Kings and their future.

The adage doesn't apply – no, I don't remember it like it was yesterday, because it happened in Las Vegas and, well, you know.

The 49ers are back in the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 14 seasons, and Northern California is ready to party like it's 1981.

The 49ers have received the majority of attention from media and sports fans the past few weeks, and rightfully so.

Let's consider motivation for a moment. Puppies are motivated by a desire to make their masters happy – and by food. College students do their best when grades and the possibility of a fine career or job are on the line.

So how did you prepare your bowl of crow Sunday morning?

You're probably still hyperventilating from the final, frantic moments of the 49ers-Saints NFC divisional playoff game Saturday.