Francisco Garcia hasn't been long in this league, and early on his career few would've expected him to have the success he's had so far this year. In the absences of Ron Artest and Kevin Martin, Garcia has doubled his previous career-high scoring average with over 13 points a night. Not bad for a third-year kid just trying to find a niche in the league…
You and John Salmons have really picked up the slack this year with injuries to other major players on this team—what has been your focus in more than doubling your previous career-high scoring average?
"I'm just taking advantage of the opportunity that they're giving me now, and just staying focused."
Despite the losing record, do you feel like the talent on this team makes you a playoff caliber team in the West if everyone's healthy?
"Yeah. We're playing good right now. We just want to get things right at the end of the games, but we're playing good right now. When everybody gets back, we're going to an interesting team."
Coming from Louisville, how does playing for a coach like Rick Pitino prepare you for the NBA?
"He prepared me really good, especially mentally. I learned to just wait for my time, and when the opportunity comes, to take advantage of it."
He didn't really have much success on the pro level, but he guided your 2005 team to the Final Four. Why do you think he's such a better college coach than pro coach?
"I think he's a very emotional guy, and in the NBA you can't be that emotional. In college, players are going to listen to you when you get that emotional."
Moving forward, what's the future you and the Kings?
"I don't know. I'm happy here, and I'm just enjoying my time."
Will Francisco's minutes stay as fresh as they've been once the big cats get back in the lineup? Is this sort of production Kings fans should expect for years and years, or is it a fluke in the face of injury adversity? Either way, Sacramento will take the numbers and the positive attitude and run with it.
