(PS: THIS CHAPTER AND THE FOLLOWING WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR THE FUTURE AND ARE SUBJECT TO DEBATES. I'LL LEAVE YOU TO PREDICT. THE VOLUME WILL CONCLUDE IN THE WEEKEND)
Meanwhile, Sacramento, CA
Monte McNair, Joe Dumars, and Raj Ranadivé receive someone at the Kings' premises.
"Joe, thank you for negotiating an interview for me so quickly," the black man said in front of them in a clamorous tone.
Joe Dumars is a basketball legend, his duet with Isiah Thomas blocked Jordan's rise, but it was against the NBA's plans. If the NBA had an enemy team, it is undoubtedly the Detroit Pistons, and this man is one of the most notable representatives. That's another story, not to mention the one that humiliated Kobe and Shaq's Lakers.
"We've known each other very well since then. Your team has pissed us off more than once. The Celtics and Lakers were strong before Jordan became Jordan. You gave us the coup de grace," Joe recalls, and finished laughing in follow-up: "Do you want to become a head coach in the NBA? You seem to be doing well in the NCAA despite your elimination; explain the project. »
The others nodded, knowing the conversation was approaching the crucial point.
"Okay, I'll tell you how I see the current team." He paused for a moment, and the tension was palpable. For him, it is quit or double.
" I think you already knew that, but the team has reached a glass ceiling. It's no secret that the Kings are a dysfunctional team. Yet there is no talent shortage; it is incomprehensible to many people who always have high expectations at the beginning of the season. Gentry mismanaged the team, and you see the consequences."
"Let's talk about the players. For me, there's a big mistake about building the team: It's that you're trying to build around Fox."
Surprised by what they have just heard, Monte McNair and the others eagerly listen to the arguments of the other party before them.
Most importantly, Raj spoke. He, who had been passive until now, asked, "What do you see?" This is the question everyone is asking.
"Joe, you know better than anyone it takes a superstar to win an NBA title unless you have a collective like the Pistons in 2004." Joe nodded but remained silent
"So you must have seen Fox not lead the team to the title. He was drafted in 2017 and still needs to lead his team to the playoffs or an All-Star Game. Donovan Mitchell was selected after becoming an All-Star last year and this season. But that's not the problem. The real problem is that he needs a player profile next to him to shine. And that player you already had is Hector. »
According to him, Fox is not a leader on the ground.
"If I'm the Kings' head coach, I'll maximize Hector's potential. I am a Hall of Famer and humbly, according to some, one of the best of all time. Believe me, there is a monster in you. Joe, we've been fighting each other all our careers. I assure you that your guy is a monster. I can teach him how to play in the low post and develop his game in attack, and you won't find a better coach than me about that. Defensively this is Hakeem's second coming. This guy was a migraine and gave me nightmares. »
The Hakeem mentioned is Hakeem Olajuwon, but needless to say, coming from him, they know whom he is speaking to.
They did not expect to have such a high opinion of Hector from him, and these words coming from the beast in front of them are to be taken seriously. McNair picked up those emotions and continued the conversation.
"As a GM, I can't ignore those words. Are you sure of yourself? That means the future of the Kings. However, I must tell you that I do not intend to employ a new head coach before next season, as Joe told you. You come knowingly, so I listen to your point of view on team building. He said cautiously. No one is ignorant about Hector's potential, but no one has aimed so high.