Western Conference X-Factors

After looking at the Eastern Conference X-Factors, the Western Conference has a handful of players that are equally important to their team. An X-factor is a player on a team who will largely help a team towards success or failure.

Dallas Mavericks: Devin Harris
For the Mavericks to get back to the NBA Finals, Harris needs to move up a step in the league's group of point guards. The Mavericks are at their best when Harris is distributing the ball and Jason Terry slides over to the shooting guard spot.

Denver Nuggets: Kenyon Martin
Martin is coming of a loss year due to injury, and the Nuggets could use a consistent scorer next to Anthony and Iverson. A big year from Martin could mean a long run in the playoffs for the Nuggets.

Golden State Warriors: Stephen Jackson
Jackson played his best late last season and the Warriors need him to do the same all year in 2007-08. With Jason Richardson being traded during the offseason, the Warriors will certainly look to Jackson to pickup the lost production.

Houston Rockets: Mike James
The Rockets will look for James to push Rafer Alston at the starting point guard spot. James' ability to score from the perimeter will also benefit the Rockets off the bench, which is something they struggled to get last season.

Los Angeles Clippers: Al Thornton
With Elton Brand lost for a majority of the season, the focus will be on the 2008-09 season. Thornton's progress in his rookie season will be vital to the Clippers success in the years to come.

Los Angeles Lakers: Javaris Crittenton
The Lakers hope that Crittenton can be ready to start at point guard by mid-season. Crittenton is a big point guard, who can do things that no other point guard that the Lakers have.

Memphis Grizzlies: Darko Milicic
The Grizzlies have a number of good, young players in Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, and Keith Lowry. However, they are thin in post players that can score outside of Pau Gasol. If Milicic can provide consistent post scoring, then the Grizzlies rebuilding process will be a big success.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Gerald Green
Although still young, Green has now played two seasons in the NBA. Now with Minnesota, Green needs to have a strong season in order to remain as one of their core, young players. Minnesota knows what they will get in Randy Foye and Al Jefferson, but Green may be the wildcard here.

New Orleans Hornets: Rasual Butler
Butler will compete with Morris Peterson for time at shooting guard. Butler is the taller of the two and provides greater upside than Peterson. With a strong core of players in Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic, Chris Paul, and David West, Butler would be a strong, versatile player if he can play at a high level this season.

Phoenix Suns: Boris Diaw
Coming off a disappointing season, Diaw needs to rebound with a year similar to 2005-06. The Suns are in need of Diaw to provide the offensive versatility and rebounding that he once brought them. If Diaw can play at a high level, then the Suns can afford to play Marion, Diaw, and Stoudamire at the same time. If not, Grant Hill will have to fill Diaw's role and the Suns will have to play smaller.

Portland Trail Blazers: Travis Outlaw
With Oden and Randolph off the team this year, Outlaw needs to provide the scoring that Portland will be missing. Outlaw played well at the end of last season, but needs to do that all season in 2007-08.

Sacramento Kings: Francisco Garcia
Garcia needs to have a strong year similar to what Kevin Martin had last season. Garcia played his best at the end of last season, but needs to continue to develop his all around game. As a long-armed, tall guard who can play three positions, he has the ability to become a very versatilite piece for the Kings.

San Antonio Spurs: Ime Udoka
A player in the mold of Bowen, Udoka will be expected to defend the opponent's top scorer. As the Spurs only significant addition from last year, Udoka will most likely play an important role in the playoffs this season.

Seattle Supersonics: Robert Swift
In his third season, Swift will get every opportunity to win the starting spot for Seattle. Swift has struggled to avoid injuries during his career, but Seattle will rely on Swift to provide defense and rebounding. Swift will compete with Chris Wilcox, Nick Collison, and Kurt Thomas for minutes - all of whom are proven commodities.

Utah Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko
With Kirilenko playing at his best, the Jazz have one of the most talented starting five's in the league. Kirilenko brings great versatility and arguably the best defensive player in the league. However, when he plays like he did towards the end of last season, Kirilenko is the most overpaid player in the NBA. A good year from Kirilenko means that Utah will compete for the championship.

Scouting Report: Francisco Garcia

Last season, guard Kevin Martin made a significant leap with the Sacramento Kings. After averaging 26.6 minutes per game and 10.8 points per game in 2006-07, Martin put up averages of 35.2 minutes per game and 20.2 points per game this past season. This year, the Kings are hoping that Francisco Garcia can make a similar leap in production.

Player Name: Francisco Garcia
Current Team: Sacramento Kings
Ideal Position: SF
Drafted: 23rd
Height/Weight: 6'7"/195
Birthdate: 12/31/81
Hometown: Bronx, NY
High School: Winchendon School
College: Univsersity of Louisville
Agent: Aaron Goodwin

Contract:
2005-06 $1,016,400
2006-07 $1,092,600
2007-08 $1,168,800
2008-09 $1,983,453 (Team Option)
2009-10 $2,885,924 (Qualifying Offer)
2010-11 $2,885,924 (Qualifying Offer)

Notes:
Nickname is the "Latin Assassin"; Younger brother died in December of 2003; Only current NBA player born in the Dominican Republic; Twice named to the Louisville Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for a GPA of 3.0 or better; Majored in communications at Louisville; Played basketball and baseball in high school; Participated in the 2005 FIBA America’s World Championship Qualifying Tournament held in the Dominican Republic as a member of the Dominican Republic National Team; Finished collegiate career ranked fourth in Louisville history in three pointers made, third in free throw percentage, eighth in blocked shots, and 23rd in points scored; Named to the 2005 NABC All-America second-team and Wooden All-American team honors; Earned First Team All-Conference USA accolades and was named as a member of the C-USA All-Decade team.

Strengths:
Great shooter; Strong interior passer; Great attitude; Has overcome a great deal of adversity; Provides great leadership and is a real team player; Versatility on offense allows him to be able to play point guard, shooting guard, and small forward; Has range on his shot and gets it off quickly; Excellent court vision; Great work ethic and passion for the game; Good shot blocker for a wing player; Tough; Scrappy; Willing to take the big shot.

Weaknesses:
Too thin; Settles for the jump shot too frequently; In-between game has room to improve; Not a high leaper; Turnover prone; Probably not quick enough to defend shooting guards, but not strong enough to guard many small forwards; Has had some foot and ankle injuries previously; Prefers to score off the dribble rather than catch-and-shoot.

Outlook:
Garcia is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and has great value to his team. He comes off as a great kid and a terrific teammate. Garcia's ceiling is the third scorer on a strong team. At this point, it looks like his strength will never increase, but he has shown that he is an above-average defensive player.

Video: