Francisco Garcia

[bloom]

I think it’s about time Francisco Garcia got a thread. SacBee wrote an article about him and it’s about time. I really don’t think that the article has done him justice – I personally was expecting more from it, but I’m glad that there’s finally something about him.

People can complain about him all they want but I love him here, I think we need him and he does more than what people think…When it seemed that everything was spiraling out of control he didn’t say anything to the media.

Garcia’s Leadership Grows into a Vital Factor

They don't even know what to call Francisco García anymore. Older brother. Resident shrink. Head cheerleader. The man who sticks their faces in the mirror. The after-hours coach who prods them away from the pubs and into the Kings' practice facility, sometimes into the wee hours.

"Cisco, man, we would be lost without Cisco," second-year forward Omri Casspi said. "He's a brother to me. You can turn to him about anything, and he tells you straight. He has helped me with so many things, made me a better teammate."

This is usually how it happens. Leaders emerge. They aren't anointed. While García has been a significant presence in the locker room the past few seasons, his influence has never been more appreciated than in these past several weeks.

On any given night during the Kings' early-season skid, the sixth-year pro has done the following: Coaxed teammates out of funks. Scolded teammates for overreacting to fouls. Prodded teammates into the huddle. Barked at teammates to pass the ball. And though he stands only 6-foot-7 and weighs 195 pounds, the oldest (30) and longest-tenured King isn't afraid of anyone. He stretches up onto his toes, gets up onto the soapbox, and goes face to face with beefy, 6-11 rookie DeMarcus Cousins.

"Cisco has done everything to me," Cousins said with a grin. "He yells at me, tells me to calm down, doesn't want me throwing my headband. He can motivate me, get me mad as well. But he knows what it's like, too, because he used to have a real temper, and he's been there for good and bad times. We listen to him."

Here’s the link to the whole article http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/04/3297328/ailene-voisin-garcias-leadership.html

I’ve always liked Cisco. I always supported the guy and I honestly feel bad for him. He deserves better, but I love seeing him in our uniform and I enjoy watching him bring things to the table that a lot of people don’t recognize (but I wish they would). He’s a great leader and energy guy. He has taken some of the rookies under his wing and he’s just there for his teammates.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I think he's pretty important to the team, too. He's the closest thing to a team leader they have. His contract, while not ideal, isn't as bad as people make it out to be, either. He probably doesn't have a whole lot of trade value so the Kings are sort of stuck with him for better or worse, or he's stuck with them, whichever way to choose to look at it. He'd make a good 6th, 7th, or 8th man if The Kings ever get their starting lineup worked out. Sure he's a bit overpaid for a role player off the bench but quite a few good teams have similar players with similar contacts. It's not a franchise crippling type of situation.

 

[Sac.1989]

He's been a great player for us this season on and off the court, long may it continue.

 

[bajaden]

Cisco's contract was mid level exception size when he signed it, which is about the norm for a guy your looking at, as part of the future of the team going forward. One could argue that his salary is a tad high for what he brings to the table, but if he can stay healthy and stay consistent, then I'm OK with it. Its small enough that trading it in the right deal isn't impossible. And I'm not suggesting that we trade Cisco, I'm just saying that I don't think his contract is a liability.

At the moment he's the only veteran presence on the team that the youngins seem to listen to, so that in itself makes him more valuable.

 

[pshn80]

Thanks for posting this thread. I agree with the sentiments and assessments that have been made above. Cisco is a good guy and a multitalented player. A nice thing about him for us anyway is that he is not a star. He might even stay in the starting lineup to our advantage for a little while. I have always shook my head when reading on this site that "he should be traded", "he is overpaid". Again, I think Petrie right about Garcia.

 

[kingsboi]

What I liked about Garcia tonight is that he wasn't hesitating to shoot the ball. Everytime he saw a good look he just kept shooting and we need our shooters to keep shooting regardless because if they make shots that opens things up for everyone.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Ciscos the man. His defense is pretty underated, great shot blocker.

 

[mac]

Cisco potentially has a very significant role on the team as designated 3 point shooter and someone who plays hard and defends pretty well. It's sad that he's our veteran leader, and that's not any knock on him personally. It's just that Cisco himself hasn't been a very consistent and good player and hasn't had experience on winning NBA basketball teams. Beno can probably offer better advice on the court than Cisco can simply due to his experience on a championship team, but it's good that we have a guy who the young guys will listen to.

 

[bloom]

It’s good to see some people here appreciate Cisco.

Cisco's contract was mid level exception size when he signed it, which is about the norm for a guy your looking at, as part of the future of the team going forward. One could argue that his salary is a tad high for what he brings to the table, but if he can stay healthy and stay consistent, then I'm OK with it. Its small enough that trading it in the right deal isn't impossible. And I'm not suggesting that we trade Cisco, I'm just saying that I don't think his contract is a liability.

At the moment he's the only veteran presence on the team that the youngins seem to listen to, so that in itself makes him more valuable.

I think a lot of people bring in his contract as a negative and it might be a little big, but I have no problem with it.

I also love the fact that Demarcus listens to him. There have been talks that Demarcus doesn’t listen to anybody but his quote states otherwise (even though Cisco might bug Cousins sometimes, lol). And I don’t think his leadership only affects Cousins, I think the guys on the team just respect Francisco.

Thanks for posting this thread. I agree with the sentiments and assessments that have been made above. Cisco is a good guy and a multitalented player. A nice thing about him for us anyway is that he is not a star. He might even stay in the starting lineup to our advantage for a little while. I have always shook my head when reading on this site that "he should be traded", "he is overpaid". Again, I think Petrie right about Garcia.

Your welcome. I’m with you, it’s sad that people just want to ship him off. And sometimes you just can’t have star players, you need role players and he’s a wonderful role player to have. It also doesn’t hurt that the guy doesn’t shy away from wanting to take the big shots.

 

[Prince_XY]

I wish I could say the same good words about Cisco being so good and valuable as our most veteran player-leader. Cisco is a nice guy and probably the type of guy you want as your bestfriend, but we're talking about winning basketball games here.

I think what he did in that game against the warriors tells a lot about him as a veteran and also tells a lot what the young players will learn from him. I don't even think Cisco knows what it takes to win games because majority of his time in the NBA were about how to lose. If you don't want to improve this team, then keep on insisting Cisco is blah-blah-blah good at a cost of 7 million a year as your veteran to teach the young players in winning games. But to me, that's a lot to pay for leading this team to perpetual mediocrity.

IMO, we can get more than a stupid veteran at 7 M a year.

BTW, what has Cisco accomplished in his career?

 

[pshn80]

IMO, we can get more than a stupid veteran at 7 M a year.

BTW, what has Cisco accomplished in his career?

I'm sorry some people have such views of Garcia. I think they're wrong. I have enjoyed watching Cisco since he came in the league. I like him. I think the team is better off because he's on it. In my book that's the test.

 

[DesertFox]

For what it's worth, he's the only remaining player from the last playoff team.
He's now an overpaid spot shooter, but I'm glad the team has realized he's not a good decision maker and should not handle the ball.

 

[bloom]

I wish I could say the same good words about Cisco being so good and valuable as our most veteran player-leader. Cisco is a nice guy and probably the type of guy you want as your bestfriend, but we're talking about winning basketball games here.

I think what he did in that game against the warriors tells a lot about him as a veteran and also tells a lot what the young players will learn from him. I don't even think Cisco knows what it takes to win games because majority of his time in the NBA were about how to lose. If you don't want to improve this team, then keep on insisting Cisco is blah-blah-blah good at a cost of 7 million a year as your veteran to teach the young players in winning games. But to me, that's a lot to pay for leading this team to perpetual mediocrity.

IMO, we can get more than a stupid veteran at 7 M a year.

BTW, what has Cisco accomplished in his career?

Everybody has his or her own opinion and your opinion is good too. Like I said, I feel that Cisco is underappreciated and yeah, he does make mistakes but he also does a lot of other things that are good too…he hustles, never stops, wants to make the big shots, talks to the guys (all the time), he’s a great guy to be around, I’ve never seen him pout, he plays defense, he rebounds, he wants to win and has shown that he can make some big shots…he does need to work on that shot a bit more.

People were frantic about the fact that Demarcus wouldn’t listen to anybody and here’s a guy that respects Francisco. And personally, this team needs a couple mentors to help the young guys out. They need a voice and I’m not saying we should pay him 7 million dollars but I feel that, that’s the only thing that you’re looking at.

"We could use a few more guys like Francisco Garcia, but we are trying to build with youth, and there are inevitable steps forward and steps back when you do that, but we like the progress that DeMarcus in particular has been making."

The Kings veterans are stepping up and helping out their younger teammates. The 30-year-old Garcia has developed a strong relationship with Cousins and the 29-year-old Dalembert is trying to pass on his experiences.

"Francisco has really been taking me under his arm," said Cousins. "He is just guiding me. Each game he is giving me advice."

"It is a lot of fun," said Garcia about playing with his young teammates. "They listen and are very respectful, and as the season has been going, they have been getting better and better."

"We have a good relationship," continued Garcia about Cousins. "We are like brothers out there. He has my back and I have his back."

"So many young guys on that team (the Kings), they need a couple of veterans to talk to him. I am glad that I have Reggie (Evans) here to talk to me. He is going to be really good, he just needs veterans in the game to talk to him."

Source: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18426