Cisco is starting to come along

[BawLa]

In his last 8 games he starting to show some progress. He has been able to establish consistency because he has been getting about 23 min/game. Over that stretch he was lighting it up -- .561 from the floor. And he shot that well while still making it rain pewp from downtown -- .348. Not too shabby from inside the arc.

These statistics mean nothing without interpretation. From what I've seen, and I admit I haven't watched every game, I see a much more confident kid than the 'Louisville Rook' of last year. He is getting out in the open court, partly due to his defense, and he is going to the hoop more often. And I think that has helped his confidence in his shot.

I think he should focus on his 3pt shooting and rebounding in the offseason. With a little work I truly believe he could develop into a Tayshaun Prince + Doug Christie mix.

 

[gunks]

He had himself another pretty good game tonight. Filled up the stat sheet.

 

[VF21]

I still see someone who is sooo frenetic he's almost out of control. That is what he's really going to have to work on. All the heart and hustle in the world don't help if you can't get a player to stay in control.

I love his heart, his hustle and his intensity but he still makes mistakes because he's just not playing at the right speed. In that aspect, he reminds me a lot of Jason Williams. If they can find a way to get him to take it down just a bit, he'll be a much better player.

 

[kennadog]

I agree. Cisco seems to be getting closer to where he wa before his (stupid ) ankle injury.

Edit: I agree with you on your point about Cisco. He is still out of control at times. Body parts are moving at a higher speed than the brain. Hopefully he can learn to control that better.

 

[Bricklayer]

I like what Cisco has been bringing. Think in a lot of ways he could be the ideal roleplayer at one of the wing spots if we were to land a legit superstar. Once you get one of those guys you don't need everyboyd to be a scorer. Just need guys to hustle and contribute in a variety of ways. He can still be dumb as a stump (basketballwise...will not opine on whether he has to use his toes to count to 20) and out of control -- just does nto think before racing aroud liek an idiot sometimes -- and I would never in a million years lean on him as a team at this level. But my general prognosis since last year has been potential ideal roleplayer one day. Of course he was also potential NBA washout there for a while, but the high end isn't star, its fill in the gaps energy guy.

Now as for his recent streak of play at this point in the season: Go to hell Cisco.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I like Francisco Garcia a lot, especially how he loves to compete all out and his versatility. He had only one turnover tonight although he was out of control for nearly one more but drew a questionable charge driving into the lane. I could see Cisco having a major breakout year next season as Kevin Martin did this year. The only issue will be if there's enough minutes allocated for him since it seems he need starts and/or lots of playing time to really flourish. The fact that he's essentially a wing player (like Martin) with PG ability (unlike Martin) also might keep him on the bench more than normal unless Bibby is sent packing. One thing for sure, Garcia has a defensive mind set to wreck havoc on that end perhaps only behind Artest in overall defensive skill for the Kings.

Ironically, Brad Miller had 6 turnovers while compiling a triple double in tonights win over Memphis.

 

[Indianapolis King]

what a lot of you guys that have watched Cisco with the kings don't seem to take into account when talking about how he "plays out of control", etc, is that it occurs mostly b/c he has limited minutes and he is trying to do his thing during those limited minutes. Having watched Cisco since his first game at the Ville 5 years ago, what makes him special (his intensity, his versatility, his heart) doesn't necessarily translate as well when he gets 5-6 minutes here and there from Muss (who coaches equally bad during 5-6 minute stretches, as well as month-long stretches). Cisco plays/responds much better when he gets 20+ minutes as he then can settle in somewhat. I think he struggles with his role and what is expected of him--more so this year than last--and I attribute that to Muss. Many of you rip Cisco about how he will at best be a role player/fill in--but given the chance to have starter type minutes, he is a rare player who can get assists, shots, good defense, energy, rebounds, blocks, steals--and he can do all those extremely well. Give the kid a chance. I have been frustrated as hell watching Muss misuse him all year long. Most anytime he gets 25 minutes, he has a good game. His enthusiasm/heart/energy are unmatched--and often times contagious.

 

[Bricklayer]

Which is enough to be a college star.

In the NBA, its enough to make you a good roleplayer. He simply doesn't have the skills to be a major scorer or primary ballhandler in the NBA. And his lack of lateral quickness makes him a better hustle/help defender than it does man on man lockdown guy. Throw it all together, and his value is in versatility and energy....when he uses his head. Which equals roleplayer. To be more than that, you have to have a calling card, an unstoppable elite skill that nobody can take away from you and that is there every night. Cisco doesn't. But properly tamed he might be able to be a guy who can fill in almost any gap on any night according to what you need.

 

[SacTownKid]

I still see someone who is sooo frenetic he's almost out of control. That is what he's really going to have to work on. All the heart and hustle in the world don't help if you can't get a player to stay in control.

I love his heart, his hustle and his intensity but he still makes mistakes because he's just not playing at the right speed. In that aspect, he reminds me a lot of Jason Williams. If they can find a way to get him to take it down just a bit, he'll be a much better player.

Maybe but then again that gives Cisco his edge. No matter how out of control he gets his net positives are prolific.

 

[VF21]

Maybe but then again that gives Cisco his edge. No matter how out of control he gets his net positives are prolific.

Not really. You have to match your speed to the track. Cisco doesn't do that. He goes balls out every single time he steps on the court and he invariably costs us some fouls and turnovers that could be totally eliminated without having a negative effect on his overall value.

 

[bloom]

I've always been high on Garcia. So I'm happy about how's he's been playing, but I'm really not suprised. I feel he has a lot more to show than this. He's young, he's going to learn, the accident didn't help him (nor did the coach's choice for not playing him for most of the season)...It's too bad that this excitement is happenening at the end of the season.

Anyway. Awesome job Cisco!

 

[SacKings384]

One spot Cisco REALLY needs to work on is on the fast break. Especially when he's handling the ball. He usually goes into sprint mode, getting ahead of his teammates, and then commiting a charge. Or he'll try to make a fance pass to ooh and ahh the crowd. Considering how many loose balls he gets to, I think this one would help his game alot.

 

[Bricklayer]

Just a brief note: Cisco is not THAT young. He's 26 now. That's still youngish of course. But few players really add major components to their game after about 25 or so. 26 is almost entering your prime stuff. Its only a couple of years younger than Mike, maybe 1 year younger than Ron and Salmons. The good news is that he already has a variety of skills, and really just needs to tone them up and get smarter -- things that players still do pick up through their prime. But he was an old rook, and he's an old second year. Probably not too far from what you see is what you get.

 

[Brinzotti]

I'm a cisco fan, but I really see him as more of a 6th man type of player bringing energy off the bench. I'm not really too sure about this, but I think he tries too hard when he gets his playing time. I don't think he would last 35 mins in a game because of his over effort (which is good and bad). I'd be really interested in seeing what he can do this offseason and what he brings next season

 

[Indianapolis King]

Check your bio Brick. He IS 25. Turns 26 at the end of the year. Maybe there is something else negative that you can point out about him though if you look hard enough.

 

[Bricklayer]

Check your bio Brick. He IS 25. Turns 26 at the end of the year. Maybe there is something else negative that you can point out about him though if you look hard enough.

You are correct about the age -- I thought that sounded too old. He was an old rook, but that would have been OLD rook. Same principle with the age applies however. There's a fuzzy line there somewhere in the mid 20's where guys are pretty much just who they are going to be. Cisco came into the league almost at that point already.

As for the snarky comment -- you can bet on it. Much as it has pained me over the years to puncture the hopes and dreams of fanboys of every Tom Dick and Harry in the league, somebody's got to do it.

 

[vytzka]

As for the snarky comment -- you can bet on it. Much as it has pained me over the years to puncture the hopes and dreams of fanboys of every Tom Dick and Harry in the league, somebody's got to do it.

LALALA I can't hear you! Cisco rocks!

 

[Indianapolis King]

cisco is also relatively new to the games as compared to many american kids. He didn't really play basketball until high school, which means he has only played for about 10 years. I think Cisco is on an upward trend in so far as his skills and play. He is better now than he was at the Ville, and I think he will improve during the next several years. He may not be the best at any one category (shooting, rebounding, assists, defense, etc)--but he is one of the best at doing ALL of those things. I can't predict whether he will be a star or a solid pro--but I do predict that if given steady minutes (which Muss has not done), he will consistently produce like he he has the last several games. He is still learning, but I believe his best days are in the future. You can also bet that he will do WHATEVER it takes to improve.

 

[kingsfan101]

cisco is also relatively new to the games as compared to many american kids. He didn't really play basketball until high school, which means he has only played for about 10 years. I think Cisco is on an upward trend in so far as his skills and play. He is better now than he was at the Ville, and I think he will improve during the next several years. He may not be the best at any one category (shooting, rebounding, assists, defense, etc)--but he is one of the best at doing ALL of those things. I can't predict whether he will be a star or a solid pro--but I do predict that if given steady minutes (which Muss has not done), he will consistently produce like he he has the last several games. He is still learning, but I believe his best days are in the future. You can also bet that he will do WHATEVER it takes to improve.

We can blame Muss for a lot of things, but finding time for Cisco is not easy. He plays the positions we are strongest at. Barring major injuries, there are only so many minutes that can be divided between Ron, Kevin, Salmons and Cisco.

 

[Kingster]

I like Cisco. We need to trade some people so he can have some more minutes next year (Artest & Salmons). As far as his being out of control, I'd rather have a young stallion that needs to to be broke some than an old nag that's too slow to make a misstep.

 

[vfettke]

anyone think that he'll be getting way more minutes at the end of this season to up his trade value a little bit?

 

[Warhawk]

^^^ Same could be said of anyone on the team at this point. But he will not be a major trading piece I think, more like someone to fill in edges if anything.

I like Garcia. Yes, he's like an overzealous puppy going balls to the wall all the time, but I like that about him. Yes, he needs to tone it down a notch, but that comes with experience, which he lacks.

I love the attitude and fire he brings, which has been lacking often this year.

 

[Indianapolis King]

^^^ Same could be said of anyone on the team at this point. But he will not be a major trading piece I think, more like someone to fill in edges if anything.

I like Garcia. Yes, he's like an overzealous puppy going balls to the wall all the time, but I like that about him. Yes, he needs to tone it down a notch, but that comes with experience, which he lacks.

I love the attitude and fire he brings, which has been lacking often this year.

It has been missing a lot, and it goes without saying that I'm a huge Cisco fan. The more experience he gets the more in control he will play. He will always play with enthusiasm however as that is simply the kind of guy he is--but that is a good thing in my estimation.

 

[vytzka]

A career high in points for Cisco?

 

[PurpleHaze]

Yep, Cisco kid's 22 tonight is an NBA career high - by 1 pt. It tops 21 he had last season in a Jan. 06 game against the Suns.

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

I love his heart, his hustle and his intensity but he still makes mistakes because he's just not playing at the right speed. In that aspect, he reminds me a lot of Jason Williams. If they can find a way to get him to take it down just a bit, he'll be a much better player.

Don't think Jason Williams, think positive, think Bobby Jackson!

 

[JB_kings]

The types of mistakes that Cisco makes are the ones that can be fixed best by increased PT. He does a lot of stuff on instinct and if Artest is going to sit out a bit and let Cisco get some consistent starting PT at SF, I think he is going to surprise some people.