Kings notes: Theus pushes Garcia to be less hesitant

[VF21]

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/445185.html

Kings Notes: Theus pushes García to be less hesitant
The swingman, who is shooting 33.3 percent, is confident his slump will pass.
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 2:34 am PDT Sunday, October 21, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8

The exhibition rematch with the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at Arco Arena will be Francisco García's fifth game of the preseason and possibly the second start, and for sure the latest chance.

He said the problem is nothing more than a typical shooting slump that has stretched to 22 misses in 33 attempts while appearing in all but one of the Kings' games. He said the problems will pass.

Exactly the problem, coach Reggie Theus has decided – García is looking to pass too often.

"I just see a hesitation in his shot," Theus said. "I see him not thinking about being a scorer and trying to do too much at times."

Hoping to push his reserve swingman to become more aggressive in looking to the basket, Theus has talked to García. He has shown García tapes that highlight the contrast between what the Kings want and what the Kings have been getting.

"It's up to him to come to grips with it," the coach said.

García has never been particularly accurate from the field – he shot 40 percent as a rookie and followed that with 42.9 percent last season. In this exhibition season, though, he's at 33.3. Friday in Portland he was 4 of 13 from the field as the starting shooting guard while Kevin Martin rested a bruised left shin.

"I'm not worried about that," García said of his slow start. "I'll keep shooting and find my rhythm."

Back on the Trail – Brandon Roy, the reigning Rookie of the Year, has returned to the Portland lineup after missing the first three games because of a sore left heel. It's the same injury that cost him 20 games last season and had coach Nate McMillan considering whether to sit him the entire exhibition schedule.

Roy appeared rusty against the Kings on Friday, but, more importantly, logged 24 minutes. It is not known if he will play tonight or be held out in a preventative move rather than risk aggravating the injury as the regular season approaches.

"He's fine," McMillan said. "We wanted to give (him) time to rest and see how he felt and then we wanted to get him a few practices to see how he felt, and he came out of those practices. He's not experiencing any pain. If he was, we would hold him out. He wants to play, he needs to play."

Paper chase – The Kings' scouting report of the Utah Jazz became public when it was found in the press room Thursday in Albuquerque, N.M. Then it became a story when the Salt Lake Tribune printed excerpts. Finally it became a minor irritant for Theus amid claims from the Kings that someone fished the paper out of a trash can.

In reality, while it is unusual for printed assessments of players' strengths and weaknesses to leave the locker room, no information was revealed that probably wasn't already common knowledge around the league. The report was a breakdown of the Jazz, not the Kings' playbook. Reporters have access to similar scouting reports posted on a dry-erase board before most every game and never go public with the comments.

Said Theus, when asked if he was bothered that the Tribune turned the sheets into a story: "It depends on what the intent was. Every team has the same things in their scouting report. It's not personal."

About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com.

 

[VF21]

Erm, what?!

I guess I'm not watching the same things, but I do NOT want to see Garcia looking to shoot more and pass less. He already reminds me way too much of Jason Williams at times...

 

[bajaden]

Erm, what?!

I guess I'm not watching the same things, but I do NOT want to see Garcia looking to shoot more and pass less. He already reminds me way too much of Jason Williams at times...

He really hasn't taken that many shots per minutes played in his career. Whay I would like to see, is him playing his game, what ever that is. So far he's been nothing but a tease. We see glimmers of what he can do, but no consistency. He has a toughness about him that I like, but its time for him to put it all together.

J Will was 6" shorter and had lighter color hair. Don't see the resemblence.

 

[VF21]

Jason Williams was very talented but he was also EXTREMELY erratic. Much like Garcia, who makes a killer steal at one end of the court and then prompty goes down and misses an easy layup, Jason teased us with what might have been - but never really was. It's not about the physical resemblance; it's about the style of play and the way they look at themselves and the game.

And it's certainly not about "shots per minute." Not everything can be reduced to simple statistics.

 

[pkballr]

Seriously? It seems like all he does when he touches the ball is take a shot. I guess he's not shooting quick enough to Theus' liking?

 

[Entity]

I think the problem that Theus sees and most ppl that pay attention the game is. That Garcia waits to long to take his shot or passes when he does have a wide open shot. He wants him to be more accertive and trust his shot instead of trying to get a better one. Theus did not say I want to see Garcia shooting 30 times a game. He is simply saying alot of the times he has the eaisier shot so why not take it instead of forcing pass or clogging the lane by drving so he can kick it out.

 

[jcassio]

I've been feeling encouraged by our new coach, but this assessment of Garcia is hard to appreciate! Garcia too hesitant with his shot? Have I been watching the same games as Reggie?
I will have to trust that Reggie can see something in Garcia's shooting mechanics that calls for this assessment. But I just see Garcia's problem as one of making too many bad decisions, a result of trying too hard to make things happen. I think he's expected to be really aggressive (and expects that of himself), so that puts him into a rhythm that's a bit out of control.

 

[Double-K]

Well practice makes perfect. When he's forced to make more/quicker decisions, it'll only get him to make better decision......

..... sooner or later..........



.... maybe........

 

[Wuster]

Erm, what?!

I guess I'm not watching the same things, but I do NOT want to see Garcia looking to shoot more and pass less. He already reminds me way too much of Jason Williams at times...

Similar thing crossed my mind as well. He's one of those players that looks out of control on offense much of the time. I think on defense this trait translates into more positive things including his ability to block shots and harass opponents. But on offense I think his game is erratic. I'd rather see him work on fitting in as a more complete, under control, offensive player than just putting up more shots.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

Well, Garcia has a tendency to be hesitant or go all-out; there are times when he's so passive that he's practically invisible on the court, and there are times when he tries to do too many things at once. Last year, this not only happened from game to game, but also from minute to minute within a game. He simply needs to learn to play at intermediate speeds, and most of all, play consistently. I've said it before: he's a unique all-around player who can provide something at every capacity of basketball, but he needs to tone down his game and pace himself.

 

[Bricklayer]

While anybody who remembers the start to Cisco's rookie season can recall the horror of shootaholic-Cisco, seems like maybe the advice worked for one night yesterday?

 

[tyrant]

thats the problem with this team. too many role players shooting the ball. thomas, garcia, moore, salmons are not shooters. the only new guy(s) that i like are douby and oriene. im confident that they can become great scorers. everyone play defense and leave the scoring to our big shots

 

[VF21]

thats the problem with this team. too many role players shooting the ball. thomas, garcia, moore, salmons are not shooters. the only new guy(s) that i like are douby and oriene. im confident that they can become great scorers. everyone play defense and leave the scoring to our big shots

Total balderdash. The best teams are the ones who have players who can do more than one thing. Role players shooting the ball are a big reason why San Antonio and Detroit have won titles.

 

[VF21]

While anybody who remembers the start to Cisco's rookie season can recall the horror of shootaholic-Cisco, seems like maybe the advice worked for one night yesterday?

It looked as though, for once at least, Cisco was playing without the excess caffeine that seems to influence him a lot of the time. He played under control and was still able to be the hustling dynamo that we've seen glimpses of.

 

[tyrant]

spurs and pistons had role players that could make shots. the shaq and kobe lakers were like that as well. shooters. we dont have ANY role players like that. cisco is not as skilled shooter as finley or barry or horry or fisher or fox etc... the list is continuous. and ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BMiller52]

spurs and pistons had role players that could make shots. the shaq and kobe lakers were like that as well. shooters. we dont have ANY role players like that. cisco is not as skilled shooter as finley or barry or horry or fisher or fox etc... the list is continuous. and ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So basically what you're complaining about is that we don't have veteran shooters to compliment 2 superstars that we don't have??? Man that makes a ton of sense IMO

 

[Kingster]

Gear Downshift

Theus made a telling comment about Martin after the game, lauding him for his ability to play at different speeds on offense. Then he commented about Martin needs to pick it up on D - i.e play at the highest gear instead of coasting. Garcia is just the opposite. Garcia just needs to downshift from 5th gear (defense) to 4th (offense). It helps to play almost frantically on D, while it hurts on the offensive end where you have to make decisions like when to pass, dribble and shoot, how to pass, who to pass to, when to drive, etc. If he just slows it down a little bit on the offensive end, he'll be just fine. I'm still HIGH on Garcia. Last night could have been the tipping point for him.

 

[LA King Fan II]

I agree with Theus to make him less hesitant in every manner.

In the rookie year, Garcia was taking minutes from Martin (and in fact playing ahead of him) when he was being aggressive on offense. This led to him showing a much needed ability to drive and dish as well as play defense and shoot.

One stupid ankle mishap later, Martins emergence as a scorer, and perhaps a premature return to action led to Cisco's rise and fall. His confidence has never been the same (yet), nor do I suspect it will reach it's full potential playing on a team that has idiotically overstocked its "guard type" position.

I don't see Garcia as a Williams type at all. Jason was flash for flash's sake at times, Garcia plays both ends with energy and occasional poor decision making. He is not the pouter JW was, and will be a valuable player either here or somewhere else. IMO he still has as much potential as Martin and always has. Not gonna show it here with a lousy front line and too many players to share minutes with. Oh yeah, and Artest.

 

[VF21]

Have you SEEN the pre-season games? This isn't about the past. This is about Francisco Garcia today... and tomorrow. There is an integral part of him that has the same tendency as Jason Williams and always may have. While it took Hubie Brown pretty much breaking Williams' spirit to tone down Jason, I'm truly hoping Garcia can play like he did Sunday. And it's still not about Garcia VS. Martin. Never has been. They're totally different players who play different positions and have different skillsets.

Cisco can easily develop, with the proper coaching IMHO, into a Bobby Jackson-type player and a key spark off our bench. If/when Artest leaves, then we consider the possibility of Cisco starting at the 3. Right now, however, I'll be happy if he just learns to play at the proper speed ... and under control ... without losing the spontaneity and explosiveness that makes him so productive.

 

[LA King Fan II]

Disagree about the Martin/Garcia thing. It was very much about them and they competed for time. I think Garcia still comes in for him in fact. How can you say it was never about them?

I haven't seen the preseason much (don't think it means much). Anyhow, at his best he can contribute. I think Theus approach is much better and that Garcia should not be toned down but rather encouraged. JW got to play with Shaq and Wade .....who couldn't look good in that situation? No comparison to the kind of talen Garcia is trying to mesh with.

 

[VF21]

How can I say it was never about them? Because it's not. If you had been watching the pre-season games, you might realize the whole dynamic of substitutions and rotations is changing and growing.

But life is made of differing opinions, so I'll just agree that we totally and completely disagree.

 

[Warhawk]

Disagree about the Martin/Garcia thing. It was very much about them and they competed for time. I think Garcia still comes in for him in fact. How can you say it was never about them?

Considering Martin is a solid 2 and Garcia a 2/3 with some 1 capabilities, I disagree. Does Garcia occasionally play the 2? Yes. Are they competing for the 2 position? No. Maybe because of the presence of Kevin, but he plays the 3. He actually plays the 1 more than the 2, I think. The Doug Christie-type facilitator.

Check his Wikipedia entry:

He now plays a variety of positions for the Kings and mostly comes off the bench as a small forward behind Ron Artest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_García

 

[LA King Fan II]

Well, they were competing for the 2 spot when Garcia was drafted, despite the fact that they have some sort of new substitution pattern with the same dreary members on the team. Martin clearly went to the bench and backed him up Garcia in fact when he found himself in RA's doghouse. This was prior to the "rescue" of the jammed ball on the rim which gave Martin another chance and allowed him to flourish (much to VF21's joy since she had long backed him in several Martin versus Garcia debates).

Anyhow, ancient history just like the Kings as factors in the West. The fact Garcia has versatility is/was a bonus and makes for a slightly better and more entertaining product on the court. The cramp his enthusiasm will only add to the boredom of the standaround offense they have nearly perfected.

The point of pushing Garcia to not be hesitant is that he thrives when confident and able to freewheel a bit with the ball. This brings mistakes but adds something the Kings lack. Again, I felt JW placed showmanship above team and I don't think that is the case with Garcia. EVER.

 

[Warhawk]

Well, they were competing for the 2 spot when Garcia was drafted, despite the fact that they have some sort of new substitution pattern with the same dreary members on the team. Martin clearly went to the bench and backed him up Garcia in fact when he found himself in RA's doghouse. This was prior to the "rescue" of the jammed ball on the rim which gave Martin another chance and allowed him to flourish (much to VF21's joy since she had long backed him in several Martin versus Garcia debates).

No, I don't recall them ever "competing" for the 2 spot. Garcia was always slated for the 2/3 combo swingman position, as he is more flexible on the floor with his skillset. I distinctly remember Petrie or Adelman early on being very excited about the possibilities of the two playing together.

VF is a KINGS fan and has not put down Garcia to build up Martin. In fact, she is constantly telling folks not to bash one to praise the other.

I think you don't read this stuff as closely as you think you do....

 

[LA King Fan II]

Of course there is always the remote chance that my memory is a little better than you give credit? The topic was letting Cisco play free. I vote let him play. Always have -- even when he was playing behind whoever the 2.5 guard position player was.

 

[LA King Fan II]

BTW I never said VF bashed Garcia, I think you read that wrong.

 

[LA King Fan II]

Looking back on the 2005-06 season for reference...

When Peja got ouchie finger it opened the door for Garcia to play with Martin for better or worse. IMO he was not viewed as a reserve 3 player until necessity caused it. It's a matter of opinion. When Artest came in for Peja the 3 was taken and Bonzi was around -- so Garcia's time came spelling Martin. Then the ankle. Then Martin played well, getting more shots with Artest and Bonzi demanding inside attention and in no time at all Garcia was gone.

I surrender at this point because Garcia is too versatile to pigeon hole and insist he is a #2 guard.

 

[VF21]

This was prior to the "rescue" of the jammed ball on the rim which gave Martin another chance and allowed him to flourish (much to VF21's joy since she had long backed him in several Martin versus Garcia debates).

This is patently untrue and unfair. I have NEVER rejoiced in an injury to a Sacramento King.

As far as the rest goes, it's clear you see (or perhaps don't see) things a lot differently. And that's fine. But please do not ever accuse me of being glad one of my Kings has been injured.

 

[LA King Fan II]

Yikes. A comically misplaced response of paranoia.

I meant Garcia was "rescuing" the stuck ball from the rim. AND....you were happy about Martin's successful play which followed. Very very defensive. If you don't admit to there being competition between Garcia and Martin and that you weren't steadfastly in Kevin's corner than fine, but please don't accuse me of accusing you of being a naughty fan.

Martin won the contest anyway even if it never existed.

 

[VF21]

I'm defensive and paranoid when you're the one trying to make this into something much more than it was? Please look at your post again. I've actually bolded the part I was objecting to ... and it had nothing whatsoever to do with me being paranoid or defensive.

Knock off the name-calling, k?