http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/155724.html
Kings cripple Clippers' hopes
Francisco García delivers again as Sacramento plays the spoiler role.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:17 am PDT Monday, April 16, 2007
LOS ANGELES-Teamwork was the theme of the Kings' afternoon, so it only made sense that even the hecklers performed in that vein Sunday at Staples Center.
In the closing seconds of the Kings' 105-100 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, two independent parties in separate rows keyed on Francisco García as Quincy Douby shot free throws at the other end.
"Hey, Francesca, you want some of this?" the man in an Elton Brand T-shirt yelled.
"Francesca, why don't you come get us?" his new buddy in the mesh hat said.
García glared their way, engaging in a staring contest of sorts until his face finally relented and a smile spread across his face as he walked off the floor.
Douby had hit his two attempts, wrapping up a surprising triumph that endangered the Clippers' playoff lives and capped yet another quality performance by García.
Though Kevin Martin clearly is at the head of the Kings' youth movement, García is next in line in ways beyond the chronological. The organization's powers-that-be remain enamored with his versatility, energy and dynamic game, and the second-year swingman continued a late-season surge that has only reinforced those views.
García's 16 points came in handy in an outing in which the Kings blew most of a 24-point lead late before holding on. He infuriated Clippers fans early, his three-pointer and runner midway through the second quarter putting the Kings ahead 47-26 and drawing boos from a stunned crowd. He did it again when the Clippers finally played as if they understood the implications, falling backward and making a three-pointer from the right wing off one foot for a 93-83 advantage.
In the past seven games, García is averaging 15.4 points and 28.4 minutes. And a perimeter shot that once went awry continues to fall, as he is shooting 52 percent overall (38 of 73) and 42.9 percent from three-point range (9 of 21) in that span.
"He has really finished the season strong, which can help build his confidence throughout the summer," Kings coach Eric Musselman said. "The assistant coaches who work with (García) every day talk about how he hardly ever misses the three-point shots when he's working out on his own before and after practice, and I think we're seeing that pay off right now."
No line of Warriors fans waited outside the arena as they did Friday night, when the Kings lost amid a chorus of cheers from the Golden State faithful and left Arco Arena to the sight of even more. But they surely were elated in the Bay Area, where it is known the Warriors will not end their 12-season playoff drought without this sort of help.
The Clippers played as if the logo at center court already had been changed for the evening portion of the schedule, as the Lakers were set to tip off on the same floor. Kobe Bryant and Co. had been the ones trying to give away a chance at the postseason, losing eight of 10 games before beating Seattle 109-98 Sunday to clinch a playoff berth. Now the Clippers can relate, falling one game behind the Warriors for the eighth seed with two games left.
The Kings, meanwhile, burst on the scene as if they were the ones in contention, leading by 10 just six minutes in and pushing the lead to 23 during a second quarter in which García had 10 points and the Clippers hit just 5 of 14 shots.
"When you're loose like that, it's easy," Clippers guard Cuttino Mobley said. "You can fire up threes off of one leg and have fun and not worry about making a mistake because it really doesn't mean anything. We should've understood that from the beginning of the game, (but we were) careless on defense and offense, and we paid for it."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings cripple Clippers' hopes
Francisco García delivers again as Sacramento plays the spoiler role.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:17 am PDT Monday, April 16, 2007
LOS ANGELES-Teamwork was the theme of the Kings' afternoon, so it only made sense that even the hecklers performed in that vein Sunday at Staples Center.
In the closing seconds of the Kings' 105-100 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, two independent parties in separate rows keyed on Francisco García as Quincy Douby shot free throws at the other end.
"Hey, Francesca, you want some of this?" the man in an Elton Brand T-shirt yelled.
"Francesca, why don't you come get us?" his new buddy in the mesh hat said.
García glared their way, engaging in a staring contest of sorts until his face finally relented and a smile spread across his face as he walked off the floor.
Douby had hit his two attempts, wrapping up a surprising triumph that endangered the Clippers' playoff lives and capped yet another quality performance by García.
Though Kevin Martin clearly is at the head of the Kings' youth movement, García is next in line in ways beyond the chronological. The organization's powers-that-be remain enamored with his versatility, energy and dynamic game, and the second-year swingman continued a late-season surge that has only reinforced those views.
García's 16 points came in handy in an outing in which the Kings blew most of a 24-point lead late before holding on. He infuriated Clippers fans early, his three-pointer and runner midway through the second quarter putting the Kings ahead 47-26 and drawing boos from a stunned crowd. He did it again when the Clippers finally played as if they understood the implications, falling backward and making a three-pointer from the right wing off one foot for a 93-83 advantage.
In the past seven games, García is averaging 15.4 points and 28.4 minutes. And a perimeter shot that once went awry continues to fall, as he is shooting 52 percent overall (38 of 73) and 42.9 percent from three-point range (9 of 21) in that span.
"He has really finished the season strong, which can help build his confidence throughout the summer," Kings coach Eric Musselman said. "The assistant coaches who work with (García) every day talk about how he hardly ever misses the three-point shots when he's working out on his own before and after practice, and I think we're seeing that pay off right now."
No line of Warriors fans waited outside the arena as they did Friday night, when the Kings lost amid a chorus of cheers from the Golden State faithful and left Arco Arena to the sight of even more. But they surely were elated in the Bay Area, where it is known the Warriors will not end their 12-season playoff drought without this sort of help.
The Clippers played as if the logo at center court already had been changed for the evening portion of the schedule, as the Lakers were set to tip off on the same floor. Kobe Bryant and Co. had been the ones trying to give away a chance at the postseason, losing eight of 10 games before beating Seattle 109-98 Sunday to clinch a playoff berth. Now the Clippers can relate, falling one game behind the Warriors for the eighth seed with two games left.
The Kings, meanwhile, burst on the scene as if they were the ones in contention, leading by 10 just six minutes in and pushing the lead to 23 during a second quarter in which García had 10 points and the Clippers hit just 5 of 14 shots.
"When you're loose like that, it's easy," Clippers guard Cuttino Mobley said. "You can fire up threes off of one leg and have fun and not worry about making a mistake because it really doesn't mean anything. We should've understood that from the beginning of the game, (but we were) careless on defense and offense, and we paid for it."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
