ORLANDO, Fla. – Francisco Garcia couldn't help it.
Covered in sweat and having endured a session of end-to-end sprints with corner three-point attempts mixed in, the Kings swingman let out a primal scream when he was done. Reggie Theus could relate to the feeling.
The Kings' coach is as eager for García to return as the player himself, although García said Friday he doesn't expect to return for a "week and a half to two weeks" from a strained right calf. Trainer Pete Youngman said Garcia will miss at least two more weeks.
" 'Cisco is the only guy on the team, barring Bobby (Jackson), who obviously is an energy guy," Theus said. "We don't have one right now. And part of our problem, at this moment, is we have low energy."
García aside, Theus said he has tried to focus on the Kings' positives in the early going. He has frequently avoided talking about struggles of individual players and stopped short of pounding certain points. The hope, he said, is to keep spirits high while making necessary adjustments along the way.
"(After the Miami loss) we talked about the fact that we didn't screen," Theus said. "We weren't in the greatest position defensively. Little things like screening, ball cuts, swinging the ball. Those are the things that I talked about, the things that aren't in the stat sheet. … Those things help you get to the next place, and we've kind of gotten away from all of those things."
Johnson finds his fit – The nostalgia wore off quickly for Anthony Johnson.
Yes, the point guard had been drafted by the Kings in 1997, but that didn't mean he was thrilled to return when he was traded from Atlanta to Sacramento in February in the Mike Bibby deal. It was nothing against the organization or the fans. He just never felt all that comfortable on that side of the country.
Having signed a two-year deal with Orlando (player option for the 2009-10 season) for $3.9 million, he's content again. Johnson, who backs up Jameer Nelson, said he chose the Magic after speaking to "four or five teams" during free agency. Johnson had seven points and three assists in 17 minutes in Orlando's 121-103 victory.
"I wanted a role where I could be in the rotation, and I wanted to play for a team in the Eastern Conference," said Johnson, who had his best years with Indiana from 2003 to 2006. "I always felt my style was better for the East.
"I'm a big winner guy, too. If I'm not winning, then I'm not really happy during the season."
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