30Q: What Is Francisco Garcia?
by Tom Ziller on Sep 8, 2010 3:49 PM PDT
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PrintWe're asking 30 questions about the Kings' 2010-11 season.
With the trade of Kevin Martin last spring, Francisco Garcia became the longest tenured King. Drafted in 2005, Garcia is the last remaining combatant from the last Kings' playoff appearance, having seen a whopping 41 minutes of action in the 2006 Spurs series. That rookie season showed something interesting -- not special, interesting -- in Garcia; remember that in January of that season, readers of this site were evenly split as to which of Garcia and a sophomore Martin would be the better pro.
Along the way, Martin turned into one of the best scorers in franchise history while Garcia ... well, while Garcia became something of a John Salmons type: a decent creator of the dribble, a decent defender, a versatile scorer and pretty good shooter. Salmons was a better scorer, but Garcia excelled at feist. (Note: when you're as bad as the Kings have been since 2006, feist does not win many games.)
Geoff Petrie has not typically paid a premium for upstanding men, but it can be argued Garcia's pleasant demeanor and helpful attitude boosted his perceived value locally, and helped him land the contract extension signed in 2008. All told, a player of his caliber, age and recent history would not command $17.4 million over the next three seasons.
But that raises an interesting question. We know El Flaco's age (28) and recent history (a bench/spot starter role, a broken wrist last year). But what caliber is he? What is Francisco Garcia?
Is he a shooter? Over the past three seasons, 106 players have taken at least 500 three-pointers. Garcia ranks 23rd in three-point field goal percentage, at 39.4 percent, just ahead of Ray Allen (39.2 percent), Danny Granger (39 percent), and, uh, Kevin Martin (38.8 percent).
Is he more than a shooter on offense? For all the discussion of El Flaco's playmaking abilities (and Reggie Theus' famous post-Orien Greene Garcia at PG experiment), his record of assists in the NBA has always been middling at best; his career assist rate (12.1) is not much better than that of Martin (11.1), who is not considered a great passer. So he's not the point-forward or oversized point guard he was once made out to be. In fact, if Garcia plays on units which don't include one of Beno Udrih, Tyreke Evans or Pooh Jeter, that's probably a problem for the Kings.
Is he a driver? Garcia was on the low end of the roster in terms of fouls drawn in 2008-09, and was at the absolute bottom last season. According to Hoopdata, El Flaco took fewer shots from inside five feet per minute than any other King; in 2008-09, he was about average among Kings guards.
Martin has had average levels of shots at the rim, but huge free throw numbers. Udrih has had average figures in both categories, but a rip of assists. Evans has had prodigious numbers of free throws and shots at the rim and strong assist numbers. Garcia is middle of the pack or worse at all facets of the penetration game. He is not a driver.
So he is a shooter, on offense. On defense, he's weird, to say the least. Among all player 6-7 or shorter who have played 3,000 minutes or more over the past three seasons, Garcia is third in block rate, behind Jason Maxiell (listed at 6-7) and Dwyane Wade (with Gar Heard one of the greatest short shotblockers in NBA history). Garcia is slightly ahead of Shawn Marion and, get this, Gerald Wallace.
Among the 71 players who have played at least 3,000 minutes over the past three seasons and have a block rate of at least 2 percent, Garcia is 8th in steal rate at 2 percent. In fact, Garcia is one of just 14 players who with that minutes cut-off have block rates and steal rates at or over 2 percent. Only one other of those 14, Wade, can be considered a regular guard. The others: Tyrus Thomas, Josh Smith, Ben Wallace, Andrei Kirilenko, Rasheed Wallace, Jamario Moon, Kevin Garnett, Nene, Kenyon Martin, LeBron, Marion and GW.
We have watched Garcia, and we know him to be erratic in every sense of the word. And this has shown on defense. But, in my estimation, you don't get on that list without having some defensive gifts. So if he's not a good defender, he has defensive gifts.
***
That is Francisco Garcia. An erratic, defensively gifted shooter.
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An erratic, defensively gifted shooter.
This is pretty much a perfect summation of Frisco. But you can’t forget about the most important attribute of El Flaco:
SUAVEDAD
"Cousins is the Blaster to Evans’ Master, the Hammer to Evans’ Sickle"- HP
by tomroadrunner on Sep 8, 2010 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 12 recs
Great analysis as always.
Cisco never became the scorer Martin is and Martin never became the leader Cisco is.
Although given both, and there current defensive liabilities
i would want Francisco playing D. Garcia seems to cares about his defense, whereas it never seemed that Martin had the intensity that is necessary for solid defense. Ironically, when all things are considered (Defense, contract, maturity/leadership, offensive game) Garcia maybe the better player.
I don't know...
from the picture, it doesn’t appear he has problems scoring
Tom from Woodland is my hero
by luckthefakers on Sep 8, 2010 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 9 recs
and
He knows what to do when they throw a double team at him
by Kevin Conroy on Sep 8, 2010 6:51 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 6 recs
So did Justin Williams...
and look where it got him.
Purveyor of Bull Plop
I know I've asked this somewhere before
But never heard back from anyone.
I remember reading somewhere . . .That Cisco was on FIRE with all aspects of his game pre season before his wrist injury. I thought Cisco was due to emerge. He has promising qualities for leadership and a killer instinct to contribute and win. Lets just hope it comes around again if what I heard was true. Anyone else hear what I heard about his game before the injury?
He was killing it for the Dominican team in International Tournament (FIBA las Americas, maybe?).
Great defense, great leadership, a few big scoring games.
GREENE! You’ve been superfluously apostrophe’d! - andy sims
iashwash, you are the voice of reason - Holmdel
Francisco Garcia AKA El Flaco AKA Cisco AKA Frisco AKA Dirty Harry
Specialities: Defense-ish, Three Point Shooting, The Original Mean Face, Shooting a three in your face while getting your girlfriends number.
Francisco Garcia is that guy that plays in your pickup league that everyone hates to play against, but love when he’s on your team. Why? Because it’s eight in the god damn morning and your just looking for an excuse to do light cardio, and this fucker is running up and down the court like a Gazelle. Everyone’s looking around like “Who’s going to cover this guy” – not because they’re going put in any effort into defending him, but because with pick-up, who you defend ends up defending you. And fuck if I want Frisco defending me. And once he’s done beating you senseless, as your passed out on the bleachers giving everyone that look: fuck-you-guys-I-didn’t-have-to-cover-him-the-whole-game-we-could-have-had-shifts, he’s over in the yoga room talking to your girlfriend about being careful with the physio-ball and how he should know and how if she wants any pointers she should give him her phone number and yeah he’d be glad to come over tonight at midnight to give an impromptu lesson, but you can’t hear because your heart is still beating too loud and you’re gasping for breath. It’s totally okay though, because there’s a support group for people like you; we get together on weekends and talk it through. No, I’m not bitter.
As Ziller points out, you really can’t say he’s the best at anything in particular, or that he is particularly suited to a particular position. But damn the particularities, I love to watch the guy play.
GREENE! You’ve been superfluously apostrophe’d! - andy sims
iashwash, you are the voice of reason - Holmdel
by iashwash on Sep 8, 2010 7:12 PM PDT reply actions 22 recs
One of the years best comments.
"DeMarcus pounds, like the hammer. Tyreke slashes, like the sickle.
For the good of the proletariat!" - tomroadrunner
I'm sold...Cisco, starting shooting guard.
I was just thinking today that of all the invitees to camp, I’m not too excited. If Tyreke & Beno start, Cisco’s the backup SG and you’d need a backup PG…Jeter? If Tyreke & Cisco start, Beno’s the backup PG and you need a backup SG…Head? Too small? Any of the others?…?
So I thought about an earlier post about available free agents, and came up with…old a** Michael Finley. Signed for a year or two to start alongside Tyreke, defend opposing SG starters (even if he’s older and slowing down, he’s got good size, he atleast would get respect from refs and he should provide good veteran influence-if he wanted to be here). Then Beno and Cisco could come off the bench. I know, far from ideal.
Now, I’ve always liked Cisco more than Martin (I wanted to draft him out of Louisville; you could see the versatility, clutchness, and leadership in college), but after reading those stats I’m convinced he should be the starter at SG beside Tyreke. He’s a good enough shooter, even wanting to take dagger shots in clutch situations. He’s not a slasher/driver which would get in Tyreke’s way. He’s a good enough defender; I mean the list he’s included on with Wade has some great defenders, and his ability to block shots (which I’m a sucker for regardless of how meaningless a stat some say it is) has always stood out as exceptional among guards.
Dare I say he’s exactly what everyone seems to be looking for, he’s already a King, and likes it here. Let’s get behind him and this will be his year to really shine.
Now who backs him up off the bench with Beno? Head, Giddens, Crawford, Wright? How about Michael Finley? I kid.
Some stuff doesn't show up in the stats
His veteran leadership, commitment and professionalism is important for a young squad. And with the current level of talent, he will get plenty of minutes IMO.
I hope he can show a return to form, and even improvement in some areas, so he can be as important on the court as off it.
Dunking Dutchman
by RikSmits on Sep 9, 2010 1:30 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Garcia and Martin
Statistically Garcia is a slight upgrade over Martin on defense, but on offense it’s no comparison, at least in the first 47 1/2 minutes of a game. And Garcia is only slightly more durable than Martin, missing 19 games a season compared to roughly 23 a year for Martin.
I guess he was a good enough feel-good guy that Petrie thought he was worth $5-6 million a year. For now he will keep the seat warm for the ultimate answer at the 2.
I like how Jason Jones is pitching him as a potential starter at the 3.
Garcia is a candidate to start at either shooting guard or small forward in what he calls a “big season” for himself.
Not going to happen, although a lineup of Tyreke, Beno and Garcia in crunch time probably will.
"I know we certainly gave up a lot to get him, but we do have other players on the perimeter who we can plug in. We haven’t had anybody who we feel is a go-to guy in the post. So we gave up a lot to get a lot, and we’re real excited about adding Carl." - Paul Westphal
Yeah, don't see Cisco starting at the 3, unless one of our other guard invites really, really impresses in camp
We’ll be needing Cisco in the guard rotation, imo. And Omri and Donté are good and have more potential to develop at the 3.
Don't say stupid shit. You won’t be perceived as stupid. - pookeyguru
by Kfan in Korea on Sep 9, 2010 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Even on a great team
- A championship level team, not every player needs to be an All-Star. You need some guys who play thier role, make clutch shots as needed and add other qualities to the mix. Cisco is just such a player. Although thier skills sets are quite different, I equate him to the Doug Cristie role. He has had a tendancy to wear down some as games and seasons go on so I hope he’s working on getting in excellent shape.
From the word out there he’s been in town for a month already working out so let’s hope it all works out health-wise. Injuries have indeed been a concern even before last seasons starnge accident.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
Oh yeah
Cisco is my GUY! I love the way he plays.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Sep 9, 2010 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I really think Cisco is just one healthy season away from showing what he really can do, which is to (consistently) basically play d, get extra possessions from hustle plays/lose 1-2 possessions from trying to do too much on O, and shoot lights out from time to time behind the 3-pt line. He’s a guy that can do a bit of everything well, but nothing extraordinary, and that makes him a useful player on any team that is on their way up like we are. I like him, he’s a decent player that only hurts you when he tries to do too much. He’s a guy that when healthy is one of those “glue” players that can add a lot of swagger out there with Reke, DMC, Donte’, and Omri, which is a squad that I’d like to see more often than not on the floor together, no matter how unconventional some might think that group would be.
I wanted to adopt, but all the good looking babies were taken
El Flaco starts the first game guaranteed.
But game two when Reke is back from his 1 game Stern imposed vacation, I don’t think anyone yet knows the answer to that. Beno probably has the edge to start but training camp and the preseason will be fun to see who shines at the 2 and 3.
I like Garcia and I agree that he could be a lot like a Doug Christie type player which I think would fit perfectly with this team. Beno off the bench would bring a great spark and a steadying force on the bench guys which is much needed.
I can’t wait for pre-season. This is going to be so fun to watch.
Cisco is the Kings best option to start at the 2.
Even with him coming off of injury and playing only 23 mpg he still had the highest 3pt shooting percentage on the team, with almost 2.5 attempts per game. Plus he’s a better defender then Beno at the 2. I don’t think Cisco can defend the 1 as well as Beno, but Cisco doesn’t give up when he’s beat and recovers to get a block from behind at a very high rate.
One advantage that Garcia has over Beno, is that he’s a better post up player. If teams switch their coverage and play their 2 or 3 defensively on Tyreke, Cisco in going to be able to go down low and post up his man which most likely will be the other teams PG.
The big advantage that Beno has over Cisco, is that Beno can backup the 1 or 2 better than Cisco which makes Beno the most likely choice as the 1st guard off the bench. He can come in as the 1 or 2. And when PW subs for the 2nd starting backcourt player, he can bring in a PG or SG (Jeter or Wright or ? ) depending on the matchups and Beno moves to the other spot.
Who will be the best backcourt mate for Evans will depend who shows up this season. Will it be 2008 or 2009 Beno, or will it be Good Cisco or Bad Cisco? But, as far as versatility and flexibility for PW and his rotations, in my mind at least, Beno is the best option for guard off the bench which makes Cisco the best option to start.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
Those are my feelings as well
Matchup wise I’d like to see Cisco get the first shot at starting – but with heavy minutes (well earned last season) for Beno. I still think Cisco only plays 28 minutes or so per game and would like to see Tyreke stay below 35 (32). Jeter and/or Head get the crumbs.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Sep 9, 2010 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Does that mean that we're going to have WaCisco too?
Tom from Woodland is my hero
by luckthefakers on Sep 9, 2010 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree
Cisco is a better defender than Beno, while Beno is the better offensive player. With Dalembert likely to start at center, Beno is a better fit in the starting lineup with Cisco playing with Cousins in the second unit to add some balance.
I really don’t see the Kings posting up the point guards unless it’s with Tyreke. We tried to take advantage of big guard lineups playing our small forwards as 2 guards, and it generally backfired and took us out of our rhythm offensively.
"I know we certainly gave up a lot to get him, but we do have other players on the perimeter who we can plug in. We haven’t had anybody who we feel is a go-to guy in the post. So we gave up a lot to get a lot, and we’re real excited about adding Carl." - Paul Westphal
I think the ball is in Tyreke's hands,
literally. Who will play alongside him is dictated by how much Tyreke will have improved as a playmaker. IMO, with Beno alongside him (especially later in the season), ball movement and movement without the ball was much better than when Tyreke was the only ballhandler.
If Tyreke learns better to bring his teammates into the flow of the game (and the coaching staff has a responsibility too, in that regard), it will be so much easier to put Cisco alongside him, with his length, defense and long range shooing.
Dunking Dutchman
With Tyreke covered by a PG, then he will post up
but with Beno in the backcourt, then Beno is covered by the PG and Tyreke was covered by the SG or SF. The point here was that because Cisco is 6-7, if the other team switches their SG or SF to cover Tyreke that leaves their PG to cover Cisco who would then post them up. thereby forcing the other team to defend Tyreke with their PG.
Don’t confuse Omir & Donte trying to play the 2, with Cisco who can actually play the position and more importantly defend the position. Last year was an aboration with players playing out of position, that thankfully won’t be the case this season.
I don’t see your point of Cisco adding more balance to the second unit. Mostly because I expect the backcourt to be mainly a three man rotation with Evans, Beno, & Cisco. So, for at least some of the minutes Beno & Cisco will be the backcourt together. And, who will be on the front court with those two is pretty up in the air. I don’t expect PW to got with mass lineup swaps, but either way whoever matches up best with Tyreke will be more important than who’s at center.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
I didn't really get this question.
Or maybe why it even needed to be asked. He is a shooting guard. Answer seemed pretty self-evident.
I didn't major in Common F-cking Sense, but ...
cisco starts at two
the kings are a better defensive team with garcia starting. Beno coming off the bench would be better because he can lead the second unit with (Greene/casspi) JT and cousins. the second unit could mess a game out without a stable veteran like beno
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