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[Chron] Guarding Durant or cheering from bench, Francisco Garcia is the ultimate teammate

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by HMMMHMM, Apr 29, 2013.

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HMMMHMM Contributing Member

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Before Francisco Garcia was a Rockets’ leader praised by teammates and coaches, before he slipped back into their rotation, before he was a surprise Game 3 star, he was one of the other guys.

The Rockets had traded Patrick Patterson, Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich to the Sacramento Kings to get Thomas Robinson. In the small print part of the trade, they also got Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt in the deal.

Garcia was not quite an afterthought – he had a cap-friendly expiring contract, a solid, versatile game and a reputation as the best of teammates – but the deal was made for Robinson, the fifth player taken in the last draft. The Rockets had no idea whether Garcia would play for them, but as the final two months of the regular-season played out, he did not have to play to impress.

“He’s probably my favorite guy I’ve ever met in the NBA,” forward Chandler Parsons said. “He’s a true professional. He’s unbelievable. He’s always encouraging us. He’s always here for any questions. He’s been the ultimate teammate in the locker room, a guy who is always positive and can obviously play, too. He’s been nothing but great on and off the court, especially for me.”

Within days, Garcia was active and vocal, instructing, encouraging and sometimes just cheering teammates during games. The Rockets bench became more involved during games. After time outs, Garcia would often walk back to the floor with a teammate, offering last-moment thoughts.

“It’s just talking and making sure that everybody knows what it’s all about,” Garcia said. “It’s about the team and not about ourselves. That’s the main thing. Just learn how to be a pro. Stay the same way all the time, and if you’re not playing keep working, because your time will come.”

In the final weeks of the season, with James Harden and then Parsons missing games, Garcia returned to the rotation. He made 46.2 percent of his shots, 40.5 percent of his 3s in April. By Game 2, he was back in the Rockets rotation and by Game 3, he keyed the Rockets’ comeback. His 18 points were his most with the Rockets. His defense, on Kevin Durant no less, slowed the Thunder long enough for the Rockets to rally from a 26-point deficit to a last-minute lead.

He did it by typically closely adhering to the Rockets’ defensive game plan to pick up Durant early, direct him toward the help and once he gave up the ball, working to keep him from getting it back.

“Try to limit his touches,” Garcia said. “That is all you can do, put up a hand when shoots and try to play good defense. It’s a great challenge. That is what we live for, to play against players like that. He’s a great player, a future Hall of Famer, and I’m happy to be out there guarding him.”

Garcia’s future with the Rockets is nearly as uncertain as when they acquired him. Initially stunned after spending most of eight seasons with Sacramento, Garcia fit in as well in Houston as he had in Sacramento. He said he doesn’t “think about what is going to happen after this series.” The Rockets will likely need to keep as much cap space open as possible until the top free agents have made decisions or the Rockets have made moves to exceed the luxury tax.

Garcia did sound like someone that hoped to be back.

“It’s been great to be here,” Garcia said. “I feel good, and my teammates have given me a lot of support. It was a good trade, and it’s good to be here. They gave me a chance, and I am trying to perform the best way that I can. They look for me and give me a lot of confidence.

“After the years in Sacramento, now I’m in Houston and I love it here. I have a chance to be in the playoffs, and I’m enjoying my time.”
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http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...nch-francisco-garcia-is-the-ultimate-teammate

Happy to have him on this team. Very much would like to see him back next year!

#1 HMMMHMM, Apr 29, 2013

Karolik Member

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He's gonna cost too much and he and Delfino are redundant at this point.

#2 Karolik, Apr 29, 2013
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his team option on 2k13 is like 6-7 mill.

#3 713, Apr 29, 2013
HMMMHMM Contributing Member

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Karolik said: ↑

He's gonna cost too much and he and Delfino are redundant at this point.
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There are enough minutes for Delfino and Garcia to go around and you can never have enough 3&D role players.
Also, while I wouldn't bet on it, Delfino may not be back next year, as the Rockets might have to part ways with him to clear some extra cap space.

713 said: ↑

his team option on 2k13 is like 6-7 mill.
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Yes. His team option obviously isn't gonna get picked up. I was thinking on the cheap (up to $2M or so sounds reasonable) on a short deal with a team option or non-guaranteed year at the end of the deal. I don't think there'll be a big market for Garcia. Just look at Delfino and how the market dried up on him last year.

#4 HMMMHMM, Apr 29, 2013
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Karolik said: ↑

He's gonna cost too much and he and Delfino are redundant at this point.
Click to expand...

they're not redundant because garcia is lengthier, making his shot ore valuable in crunch situations

his length makes him a better defender.

#5 GanjaRocket, Apr 29, 2013
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So many people doing a complete 180 on this guy.

It went from "wtf guise bench his azz. Gracia scrubbb" to "Garcia is awesome!"

Just like people shouldn't knee-jerk after a bad game, so too should they not kj over a good game. Even if that game is in the playoffs against the second best player in the NBA.

With this said, I hope FG follows up and plays good defense on KD in game 4.

#6 Juxtaposed Jolt, Apr 29, 2013
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HMMMHMM said: ↑

Yes. His team option obviously isn't gonna get picked up. I was thinking on the cheap (up to $2M or so sounds reasonable) on a short deal with a team option or non-guaranteed year at the end of the deal. I don't think there'll be a big market for Garcia. Just look at Delfino and how the market dried up on him last year.
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Yes, I think there is a chance the Rockets may make him an offer and try to bring him back. I think he has been a positive influence on the team. I think it helps having a couple veterans on the roster.

#7 Rip Van Rocket, Apr 29, 2013

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Juxtaposed Jolt said: ↑

So many people doing a complete 180 on this guy.

It went from "wtf guise bench his azz. Gracia scrubbb" to "Garcia is awesome!"

Just like people shouldn't knee-jerk after a bad game, so too should they not kj over a good game. Even if that game is in the playoffs against the second best player in the NBA.

With this said, I hope FG follows up and plays good defense on KD in game 4.
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Nonsense, Garcia has always been popular here. Sure you get skeptics for every player but I don't recall him getting widespread hate.

#8 HL3, Apr 29, 2013
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He's not consistently a good defensive player....

#9 nebula955, Apr 29, 2013
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Can a team that doesn't pick up a player's team option sign him in that same season?

#10 mike_lu, Apr 29, 2013
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his not worth his 6 million team option...

but 2 million is okay....

delfino is being paid 3 million at a bargain and is better player

#11 kmav23, Apr 29, 2013
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Delfino is not better. He stinks and he's fat.

#12 tminusrex, Apr 29, 2013
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Francisco Garcia almost makes the Patterson trade worth it. Too bad he's likely not coming back given the salary situation.

Then again, while the Rockets are most likely not picking up his option, there's still the possibility of signing him back as a free agent at a smaller salary (like either the veteran minimum or all or a part of the "room exception").

#13 Carl Herrera, Apr 29, 2013

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I noticed how much he was involved since day one here..he was up off the bench and talking right away. I just wasnt sure whether he was saying good or bad things.:grin:

#14 RV6, Apr 29, 2013
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Hope we keep this guy somehow

#15 RedDynasty, Apr 29, 2013
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Consummate professional. I hope he retires a Rocket.

#16 jayhow92, Apr 29, 2013
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Karolik said: ↑

He's gonna cost too much and he and Delfino are redundant at this point.
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I'd take him over Delfino.

#17 yunac010, Apr 29, 2013
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He is a better version of Robert Sacre

#18 daywalker02, Apr 29, 2013

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The Ultimate Teammate.

#19 HL3, May 1, 2013
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Well, if giving up Patterson and taking on a dead weight lotto bust it the price for renting Garcia for half a season, it's almost worth it.

#20 Carl Herrera, May 1, 2013

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