Is Garcia A Future All-Defensive Team Candidate?

SacTownGiants · Post #1 » by **SacTownGiants** » Tue Sep 9, 2008 8:03 am

Hi, its my first post here and I wanted to dedicate it to a favorite of mine...Cisco Garcia. I hated it when we selected him, but he's quickly grown on me.

I love the way that Garcia plays the game. He's a guy that could easily be a starter, but is a great role player. Has a great shooting touch and pretty impressive handles. The thing that really sets him apart, imo, is his defense.

His long arms and good instincts really impact the game defensively. In some ways he reminds me of a mix of Eddie Jones and Doug Christie on the defensive end. I also like that he plays with passion. Having that "firey" edge to your game can really make a difference. At times I even felt like he was a bigger asset defensively than Ron Artest. I think he's severely underrated because we're still a team that's under the radar.

Anyways, I wanted to know what everyone else thought of his potential impact on the defensive end? Is he a guy that we should be penciling in as a future DPOY? How about as a future All Defenive Team member? I think at this point, he and Martin have clearly become our most important wing defenders.

Here's some highlights of 'Cisco and his D:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lR8jmz10KM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdfshCjjg7k

SacTownGiants · Post #2 » by **SacTownGiants** » Tue Sep 9, 2008 8:15 am

Sorry, I just wanted to add that he's a pretty prolific shot-blocker for a G/F. To average 0.6 bpg in less than 27 minutes is pretty damn impressive. According to NBA.com, if Garcia was classified as purely a guard he'd rank only behind the 6'10 Kevin Durrant in in blocks per 48 minutes.

Post #3 » by **KF10** » Tue Sep 9, 2008 4:19 pm

Well, Garcia is a above average-good overall defensive player. But I can't envision him being a future DPOY. He is not THAT good at defense. It is slim to nil Garcia could sniff the DPOY. And it would be a long shot to be in those Defensive teams. But it doesn't means he is bad defender, it is just, there are better defenders than him in the NBA.

And by the way, our most important perimeter defenders are Garcia and Salmons. NOT Martin. He is average in defense. Above-average at best inconsistent defender.

Post #4 » by **pillwenney** » Tue Sep 9, 2008 7:33 pm

Wing players win the DPOY about once a decade, and rightfully so. And only the truly remarkable ones do. Cisco is a very good defender, but he'll never sniff that.

In the right situation though, I could see him making all-defensive teams. It's really all about the situation and reputation. If your team plays great D and you're pegged as the "defensive guy" than you almost certainly will get that kind of recognition. This is a big reason why Bruce Bowen gets more DPOY votes every year than Duncan even though Duncan is far more deserving. Duncan is seen as the main offensive weapon on this great defensive team, and Bowen is seen as the "specialist" so he gets more credit for the team's great D, despite the fact that he simply wouldn't be close to the defender he has become if he didn't have a Tim Duncan behind him.

Post #5 » by **KF10** » Tue Sep 9, 2008 8:02 pm

Yeah, definitely, mitch. I think our team will be overlooked and that will hurt our players recognition of their talents IMO.

a-rod · Post #6 » by **a-rod** » Tue Sep 9, 2008 11:46 pm

He’s not quick enough to guard the likes of Kobe, wade and He’s not Strong and powerful enough to guard the likes of Lebron, prince however he’s a good defender, and in the right situation at the right time he might get into either second or third All-Defensive Team, but dpoy is out of the question....

but who cares anyway, we all know DPOY is all about sexy stat and reputations.

SacTownGiants · Post #7 » by **SacTownGiants** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:52 am

Wait, what? He's too weak to guard Prince? Tayshaun Prince??

This guy??

Ballings7 · Post #8 » by **Ballings7** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:40 am

I think he can definitely make the all defensive 2nd team... providing he's on a good team with a starting role or 6th man-kind of role. He's an above-average, pretty well-rounded defender, and a solid rebounder.

DPOY? No, he won't be around that.

a-rod wrote:or third All-Defensive Team

Only two all-defensive teams. There is three all-nba teams, though.

a-rod · Post #9 » by **a-rod** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:22 pm

SacTownGiants wrote:Wait, what? He's too weak to guard Prince? Tayshaun Prince??

Tayshaun’s post-up skills, and his ability to back down into baby hook from the left block is one of his most undervalued skills. It’s almost an unstoppable move, But that is besides the point. the fact is Garcia is not strong and powerful enough to guard most SFs in The NBA, But I really hope I’m wrong...

Only two all-defensive teams. There is three all-nba teams, though.

Oh yeah, I forgot :oops:

Post #10 » by **pillwenney** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:36 pm

a-rod wrote:Tayshaun’s post-up skills, and his ability to back down into baby hook from the left block is one of his most undervalued skills. It’s almost an unstoppable move, But that is besides the point. the fact is Garcia is not strong and powerful enough to guard most SFs in The NBA, But I really hope I’m wrong...

Ahem...

That's not to say that there aren't certain matchups that certain players will struggle with (like Bowen with Bonzi), but against most SFs strength isn't all that important, and guys like Bowen are proof of that.