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http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22660.shtml
Francisco Garcia knows the importance of a good coach. After thriving under the guidance of his college mentor, Garcia looks forward to learning from the Sacramento King’s new leader. He hopes Reggie Theus can help improve his game the way Rick Pitino did.
Garcia played three seasons for Pitino at the University of Louisville before entering the NBA Draft at the end of his junior year. Under Pitino’s close guidance, Garcia established himself as one of Louisville’s leading scorers and was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 23rd pick in the 2005 draft.
“[Pitino’s] like a father to me,” Garcia said last season in Spanish. “He means a lot to me. He helped me, taught me, and gave me advice.”
The 6’7” forward-guard hasn’t found the same success in the NBA without Pitino. Under former Kings head coaches Eric Musselman and Rick Adelman, Garcia has averaged just 5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in his two-year career. But he understands how a coach can turn his game around and even deemed Theus the most important person on the team.
“It would be the coach,” Garcia said at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “He brings everyone together and he was a player, too. When he brings everyone together, I think we are going to be a good team.”
Garcia has faith in his new coach and he also has faith in himself. He realizes that his game needs to grow and he is working hard at Summer League. While he wants to improve “everything,” he is focusing heavily on his defense.
“I have a lot more direction this year,” he said. “I am focused on my defense. I tried to improve my defense last year and this year I hope I am better.”
Improving his defense isn’t as simple as grabbing the ball, though. For Garcia, it just as much mental as it is physical.
“Being relaxed is important. When you’re not relaxed, you’re trying to do everything faster, faster, faster,” he said, adding, “I’m a little more relaxed out there and I’m not rushing everything. When my time comes, I’m just going to take advantage of it.”
Garcia made the most of his minutes this weekend against Yi Jianlian and Team China. He scored 20 points, nabbed six boards, and dished off four assists while recording two steals. But whether he scores 20 points or only two, Garcia will keep on pushing. After all, that’s what Pitino told him to do.
“It doesn’t matter what happens,” he said. “Just keep your head high.”
And Garcia listens to his coach.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22660.shtml
Francisco Garcia knows the importance of a good coach. After thriving under the guidance of his college mentor, Garcia looks forward to learning from the Sacramento King’s new leader. He hopes Reggie Theus can help improve his game the way Rick Pitino did.
“[Pitino’s] like a father to me,” Garcia said last season in Spanish. “He means a lot to me. He helped me, taught me, and gave me advice.”
The 6’7” forward-guard hasn’t found the same success in the NBA without Pitino. Under former Kings head coaches Eric Musselman and Rick Adelman, Garcia has averaged just 5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in his two-year career. But he understands how a coach can turn his game around and even deemed Theus the most important person on the team.
“It would be the coach,” Garcia said at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “He brings everyone together and he was a player, too. When he brings everyone together, I think we are going to be a good team.”
Garcia has faith in his new coach and he also has faith in himself. He realizes that his game needs to grow and he is working hard at Summer League. While he wants to improve “everything,” he is focusing heavily on his defense.
“I have a lot more direction this year,” he said. “I am focused on my defense. I tried to improve my defense last year and this year I hope I am better.”
Improving his defense isn’t as simple as grabbing the ball, though. For Garcia, it just as much mental as it is physical.
“Being relaxed is important. When you’re not relaxed, you’re trying to do everything faster, faster, faster,” he said, adding, “I’m a little more relaxed out there and I’m not rushing everything. When my time comes, I’m just going to take advantage of it.”
Garcia made the most of his minutes this weekend against Yi Jianlian and Team China. He scored 20 points, nabbed six boards, and dished off four assists while recording two steals. But whether he scores 20 points or only two, Garcia will keep on pushing. After all, that’s what Pitino told him to do.
“It doesn’t matter what happens,” he said. “Just keep your head high.”
And Garcia listens to his coach.
