The Kings, as the myths go, are cursed. There's a tale locally that ARCO Arena was built on an Indian burial ground, but the same could probably be said for any number of Costcos or housing developments in the area and you don't see stuff like this happened to anyone outside the Purple and White jerseys.By "stuff like this," of course, I mean "wrist fractures when the exercise ball you're lifting weights on explodes." That's what will cause Kings wing Francisco Garcia to miss the next four months of action.
But there's a secret danger, as Garcia has learned. Eddy Curry had a similar experience last fall, though the Knick's situation could be termed "user error" as Curry's ball popped as soon as he sat on it. Curry suffered only a scrape. Garcia was not so lucky.
There's no word on whether Garcia's ball was properly inflated, how old it was, or whether the Kings will investigate legal action against the (heretofore unknown) manufacturer. Garcia's $30-million, five-year contract goes into effect this season. Garcia missed a portion of last season with a torn wrist ligament. He also broke his finger late in the season, but played through the injury. He then re-aggravated the finger injury during the FIBA Americas Championship in August, causing Garcia to miss two vital games for his Dominican Republic team. The D.R. just missed out on qualifying for the 2010 FIBA World Championships.
Garcia has started at small forward in both of Sacramento's preseason games, and was expected to compete with Desmond Mason for the job in the regular season. With this injury, it seems likely that Mason will be the starter, with Andres Nocioni backing up both forward positions and either Omri Casspi and Donte Greene rounding out the small forward rotation. Garcia had also been considered the primary back-up for shooting guard Kevin Martin. You can expect some double point guard line-ups with Beno Udrih and rookie starter Tyreke Evans in Garcia's stead.
Garcia is the team's best deep threat other than Martin, and a valuable ball-handler. Garcia's point guard skills (which he displayed in a Final Four run for Louisville in 2005) would have been particularly helpful for Evans, who has a lot on his plate this season.
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Phoenix Suns' Louis Amundson, right, shoots as Golden State Warriors' Andris Biedrins defends during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Indian Wells, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Francis Specker)
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Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) and teammate Shaun Pruitt (55) grab the rebound away from Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Indian Wells, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Francis Specker)
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Golden State Warriors' Anthony Morrow, left, pushes off Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Indian Wells, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Francis Specker)
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Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash, right, drives to the basket past Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Indian Wells, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. The game is being played outdoors at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. (AP Photo/Francis Specker)
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Spectators watch the Golden State Warriors play the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Indian Wells, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. The game is being played outdoors at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. (AP Photo/Francis Specker)
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Charlie Bell and center Andrew Bogut joke around in the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. Milwaukee won 98-86. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Hakim Warrick, top, gets caught up with Chicago Bulls defends while going after a rebound in the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. Milwaukee won 98-86. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
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Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson, right, shoot over Milwaukee Bucks forward Hakim Warrick in the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. Milwaukee won 98-86. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
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Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich (12) shoot over the defense of Milwaukee Bucks center Kurt Thomas (40) and guard Luke Ridnour (13) in the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. Milwaukee won 98-86. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) tries to defend Chicago Bulls forward Derrick Byars (7) in the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. Milwaukee won 98-86. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Poor Garcia and Westphal. Looks like James, Curry, Gallinari, Chandler, Hughes, Duhon, etc., may have a hard time making the Knicks this season, 8 points in the first quarter, Knicks vs. Celtics, though it looks like Milicic, Hill, Jefferies, Harrington, Lee, Douglas, and Robinson might make the team. Maybe some castaways from the Knicks` island make join the San Jose, Brooklyn, Seattle, Tampa, San Diego, Sacramento, whereever, Kings.
I've heard of bustin' your ba**s for a team but.........
WHO?
smh...indian burial ground
OH
same thing happened to me, when i was doing stomach work at the gym. My tail bone hit on impact and took almost three months for the pain to go away. The ball company said the workout balls should not pop, but they do.
You didn't do it and your comment indicates how weak and gutless you are. Idiot.
Costco's around? seriously?? These people clearly NEVER been to Natomas, CA where Arco Arena is located at. there's not a Costco for another 20 miles from here. The only department stores around is Walmart, and the small Target.
PS: Natomas was NEVER home to Indians. It was all farmland with corn. Please FanHouse, Get your facts straight.
Since the Kings have lost a forward, perhaps they can take a lot at the 6`10 blogger, Benson, out of Cal, mentioned in another article. Barely into double figures points, but nearly double figures rebounds, in the Nbdl. If he can do as well at forward as at center, if he can play defense and rebound from further away from the basket, perhaps he could help the Warriors or Kings. A lot of the more losing teams have enough offense, but couldn`t guard any ugly granny.
I've been told by Native Americans that in the past when their grandparents got old, they would have them leave the tribe. In 100 percent of cases, wolves would eat them. If anyone deserves to be cursed, it would be people who practiced this and didn't take care of their older relatives. What a horrible and frightening way to go as food for wolves. I was also told when they couldn't find Bison or Buffalo, they would eat either deer, fish, or wolves. In effect, the may have eaten wolfie who wolfed down on granny.
Wow Ralph....that really aplies to this sports story. And Giles, are you saying the Knicks are really any better or more relavent than the Kings??? Wow.