February 1, 2022. This date is a regular day, but for New York Knicks fans, it's a date they never wanted to see. The Sacramento Kings come to Madison Square Garden, which involves Patrick Ewing coming home.
The NBA, fond of this story, moved this game to prime time. The Kings have a record of 21 wins and 31 losses. The arrival of Ewing on the bench has given vitality to the Kings, it won't be easy to hope for the playoffs by direct route, but the play-in tournament is the goal of the Kings.
Hector and his team came off a cruel loss to the Sixers on a buzzer-beater from Embiid, but before this game, they were left hard two wins against Milwaukee and Boston back-to-back. Hector has fully recovered from his ankle injury and is resuming his rhythm. In the last five games, he has committed, at worst, three steals per game.
The Kings were unusually defensive that day. Including a 7-point against the Celtics in a crushing 128-75 victory. He also had a triple-double against the Sixers with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but Embiid's 40 points got the better of it.
The relationship between James Dolan and Patrick Ewing is not good to the point that he can no longer even move freely within the walls of Madison Square Garden. One of the best players in the franchise does not feel comfortable in the room of his greatest exploits, and he is not the only one. Charles Oakley also complained about this situation.
Between the two, only hypocritical greetings took place.
The venue is unofficially known as The World's Famous Arena. Great players like to be noticed in this unique atmosphere; most of the time, the Knicks have paid the price. That will be the case tonight. A Dantesque performance that has only been achieved four times. Now five and the first in the 21st century.
Hector decided to make it personal. In the eyes of everyone, he had an exceptional game and broke several career records with formidable efficiency.
Fox is still not present, and Hield started as a substitute today. PG Mitchell SG Ramsey SF Barnes PF Holmes C Herrera.
The Knicks have a 24-27 record. Led by Julius Randle, they did what was necessary to reach the playoffs.
PG Walker SG Fournier SF Barrett PF Randle C Robinson.
Purists will see different aspects of Hector's style of play. In the first quarter, he still organizes the Kings' offensive game in this point center role that suits him well. During the first possessions, Hector will dictate the tempo worthy of a Jokic by giving caviars to his teammates.
From the beginning, he serves Barnes after a system well performed. Then Ramsey is in transition and alley-oop. But when a player's impact on the defense is so apparent that it is reflected in the box score, he has nothing to do.
Despair.
That's the feeling of the Knicks players late in the first quarter. 29-13 at the end of the first quarter. The Mexican in front of them still hasn't taken a single shot, but he's scarier than anyone else. Robinson and Randle were mercilessly bullied on national broadcasts. Hector is focused like never before, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, and 3 blocks in the first quarter.
Kings players seeing Hector in this state know there's something. Ewing had to talk to him, "Hector, calm down. What's going on? »
The Mexican bowed his head, surprised. He did not know why he was being asked this question, which made no sense. Unaware of anything, he replied, "Coach, I have a favor. I just wanted to let you know that tonight, let me do it. I will attack only when necessary. »
And continued with a determined voice: "They will not pass."
Ewing looked his player straight in the eye. This is the kind of behavior he has been expecting from her for a while. Under his command, Hector's internal progress is visible to all. He is delighted with his apprentice. For better or worse, Hector is humble but lacks the rage to win and take fate into his own hands.
It's time to challenge Hector: "Bring me victory. Not us. Bring me victory. »
Hector nodded, caught going to see his teammates, who took the tactical indications from the assistants. He returned to the group and confidently said, "Attack as you want. I assure you your back. They won't pass me."
And returned to the field. Ewing looked at him and thought, "Nothing will happen to us tonight."