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**Peja Vu** · 03-28-2008, 01:58 AM

The third-year pro's growth as a player and person make him a valuable asset

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He has gone toe-to-toe with Ron Artest during one of those infamous postgame rants, the ones where the Kings lose and the team's resident hothead loses it in the locker room afterward. That much, as far as Francisco García is concerned, is worthy of notice.

The third-year swingman was only two seasons in when it happened – a 23-point loss in Atlanta on March 19, 2007, that led to an outburst from Artest. García didn't like what Artest was saying and how it was being said. So ignoring the fact his nickname – "El Flaco" – is based on his skinny frame and the man he was challenging was among the most feared in the game, he rose and had a machismo moment with Artest before calm eventually ensued.

The two were the closest of teammates again the next day, if not sooner, the point having been made and García having an influence far beyond the box score.

Although García remains a role player for the Kings, it's his role as a leader that often goes unnoticed. He has proven himself to be fearless in every forum, whether he's firing away from the perimeter or doing what he can off the floor to help the spirit of a struggling team. He is, in that regard, the rarity, the seventh man who is often first to speak up when it is needed.

"The leader doesn't always have to be the one who has the plays called (for him) a lot or the one who gets the most attention," García explained. "I'm just trying to be there for my teammates and show that no matter (what's going on) I'm always going to be there."

As the Kings faced the season's final stretch and the continuing task of avoiding a total letdown, García was there, as always, last week. He played through the three-game road trip despite a sore knee that left him hobbling. After Saturday's 117-111 loss in Memphis, Tenn., in which three starters sat out because of injuries, García's message was deliberate: "I'm not going to sit out – ever," he said. "My heart's just not built like that."

As if to ensure he was heard loud and clear, he added, "You can put that in (the newspaper)."

His leadership might serve the Kings well for years or be used elsewhere, as García has one season remaining on his contract. Either way, the combination of this breakout season and his growing reputation as a strong-willed, team-first player can only bode well for the Dominican Republic native.

With 11 games remaining, García – who is averaging 25.7 minutes and 11.5 points while shooting 45 percent overall and 39 percent from three-point range – is on pace to set career highs in nearly every category. And though the fact he has flourished under first-year coach Reggie Theus has surprised few, Year No. 3 has come with far more challenges than García anticipated.

Because of their connection at Louisville – where García was the star player and Theus the up-and-coming assistant coach – the early consensus among some players was that there early were signs of favoritism.

Yet later in the season, it appeared the opposite. García's playing time fluctuated drastically because of injuries or Theus' whim, and the coach became as critical of his swingman during games as he was of any player.

"I thought like everyone else that I was going to get special treatment," García said. "That's just the way it is because he's my guy from Louisville, but it's not like that. He's got a tough job to do. He's tough on me, but we've got a great relationship."

Theus, who said last week that García was "one of the guys I know I can always count on," has seen the work pay off for his player and the team.

"What I like most about (García) is that he's engaging," Theus said. "He's not afraid."

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