Francisco Garcia, Guard/Forward – Houston Rockets
This is the quisqueyano’s first season playing with a new team. Garcia played with the Sacramento Kings who drafted him with the 23rd pick in 2005. Despite a downward trend in production due to injury in recent years, Garcia is a capable shooter and defender who flourishes in a fast-paced offensive system which makes him an ideal fit for this franchise. If he can regain the form that made him one of the Kings’ top players from 2007-2009 (pre-injury), he may be another reason why the Rockets pose a serious threat to upset any team in the first round and beyond.
Carmelo Anthony, Forward – New York Knicks
Last but certainly not least, this boricua baller has become the face of the revitalized New York Knicks. Anthony played one season at Syracuse University, during the 2002-2003 season, where he helped guide the Orangemen to their first ever NCAA tourney title in 2003. Anthony has seen just as much success in the pro-ranks, since entering the NBA, he was named to the All-Star team six times and to the All-NBA team five times. The 2012-13 season saw him clinch the NBA scoring title and lead the Knicks to their first division title in over 10 years. He’s on fire right now and the Knicks will need that scoring prowess to make a deep play-off run and possibly win their first title in 40 years.
If you are ever asked which animal is the most influential in all of sports, you’d be right in responding, “the monkey.” It’s the one creature that apparently keeps many of the world’s elite athletes from reaching the pinnacle of their sport by clinging desperately to their back. We’ll know in 28 games (or less) who can shake theirs.
Photo credits:
Manu Ginobli- Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
Brook Lopez- Lou Capozzola/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
Al Horford- Mike Zarrilli/Stringer/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images
Marc Gasol- Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Getty Images
Carlso Delfino- Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony- Jeff Zelevansky/Stringer/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images