On July 5, the Summer League kicks off.
The Kings' first game was July 6 against China.
China doesn't have a rookie in the NBA, but it's a team with automatisms who live together.
C Zhou Qi PG Guo Ailun PF Abudushalamu Abudurexiti SF Ding Yanyuhang SG Zhao Jiwei
There is a former NBA player, and it is Hector's direct opponent, Zhou Qi. He was selected at pick 43 in the 2016 draft but failed to get his place in the NBA and just signed with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
The game was about to start, and assistant coach, not what do I say, Coach Reagan chose the five starters: "C Herrera, PF Thompson, PG Guy, SG James, SF Christon."
Herrera, the only rookie drafted this season on the field, is the big target in this game.
The match officially began as soon as the whistle blew; Hector won the in-between with his long arms without forcing.
Guy recovers the ball, takes his time, and puts a play system in place; Hector makes him a screen and accelerates towards the basket. He sees that Zhou took the bait and made a quick pass to Hector free on the 3-point line; Hector, with his vision of play, sees a Chinese player get on top of him and makes the pass to Christon on the corner, who shoots directly, 3 points easy.
The Chinese team regained possession and gave the pass to Zhou at the low post. Zhou tests Hector's strength, but he needs to be understood: It is said that Hector is not strong enough to handle the big behemoth in the low post, but that does not mean that he is a lousy defender. On the contrary, Hector is a pro to people like him, so he also knows his weakness, so he blocks access to the basket by betting on the fact that Zhou is not a good passer.
And he was right. Zhou had to take a forced shot, impossible to return with the tentacles of Hector interfered. James ensured the rebound and went directly on the counterattack of the disorganized Chinese defense. Thomson cuts inside and dunks, 5-0 Kings.
Wharton didn't care about the action but looked closely at Hector and nodded in satisfaction.
China scored a 3-pointer, and Sacramento scored two layups to make it 9-3.
James mounts the ball, asks Hector for a pick and roll, and makes a breakthrough feint giving the ball to Hector. Hector rushes to the basket, and Zhou, frustrated at being restrained, makes a foul after the layup.
The ball goes in. Whistle!!! +1.
And that's how Hector put his first 3 points as an NBA player.