This season Hector had his first star. Even though he didn't play long in the All-Star Game, participating in it means he's now in a higher class than at the start of the season. Collectively, the Kings were close to a play-in spot in the play-in.
They are only one win away from tenth place, the last qualifying spot for a playoff hopeful. The Spurs took this place.
Not finishing last in the division is anecdotal. Because the tie-breaker is advantageous to the Kings over the Lakers, both teams finished with 33 wins and 49 losses. At the head-to-head record, the two teams are tied two everywhere, but the Kings have a better record against teams from the same division.
LeBron and Davis' injuries have cursed the Lakers' season; normally, it's a championship-level team. But not everything is to be thrown away for the Kings. Even though Patrick Ewing finished the season with a negative record of 27 wins and 38 losses, they were not ridiculous. Specialists are more patient with him between injuries, transactions, and lack of working time with his team.
Monte McNair, Ewing, De'Aaron, and Hector discussed at length the way forward. A complete overhaul of the team will take place this summer. The recruitment and draft will be reviewed according to the team's needs. The Kings will not make the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season, the longest absence in NBA history. The last one was in 2006.
It's a curse that follows the Kings and comes back into the heads of Fox and Hector. But the Kings' base is good. With the Herrera – Fox duo, there is a way to break this glass ceiling.
Individually Hector explodes—All-Star, second in MIP, behind Ja Morant, and an All-NBA team. Yes, Hector is on the All-Defensive Second Team. He received only five votes for the first team, but that's enough for him to be recognized by all. That's primarily because he's had a statistically rare season.
Since blocks and steals became official, only six seasons now seven have had this feat. Finish with two blocks and two steals per game. Only three players have accomplished it, one of whom has completed it four times. That person is Hakeem Olajuwon. While David Robinson and Gerald Wallace, the most recent, have achieved it only once.
Olajuwon has never won the DPOY in any of these seasons. Only David Robinson had it during the season when this feat was achieved. It's such a difficult thing to accomplish that it's no surprise that no one has it. fait depuis près de deux décennies maintenant. C'était avant qu'Hector arrive.
With 20.7 points, 14.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.9 steals, and 2.2 blocks averaging this season in 76 games, he has shown dominance on several occasions. With the quintuple-double and ten games with 20 rebounds, he is absolutely the third or fourth-best center in the NBA. The era of the frail Mexican is over, and now opponents must face a player with a mountain of muscles worthy of the greatest wrestlers.
This offseason, Fox and Hector trained together in Mexico with their new teammate Malik Monk who has just signed a two-season contract. Then he went incognito to China. NBA fans recognized him when he was practicing. A long autograph session was required, and sponsorship contracts too. But his father takes care of everything.
But he still remembers the matches with the national team. Mexico is fighting for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They first beat Cuba before losing to Puerto Rico. But two victories against Brazil and Colombia put the Mexicans in a favorable ballot.
Then the AmeriCup took place in September with a victory against the USA with 15 points and 10 rebounds from Hector. The USA did not come with their stars, but any win against them is good to take. Mexico will go all the way with a phenomenal Hector in the semifinals against Brazil with 44 points in a 90-84 victory. This is the record in this competition, and needless to say, he was voted MVP of the tournament with an average of 22.9 points per game.
It was Mexico's second FIBA Americup gold medal and Hector's first pro title. He hopes to win all the titles in the national team. The happiness won for his country is sublime. A whole people share their trophies, and they hope to be the beacon that will guide them. The competition will be challenging, but it is his dearest wish.
Not to mention the NBA title with the Kings, but it does not represent the same thing, according to him. It is also a goal that must be achieved, but we must replay the playoffs before considering the title.
Hector's summer ends in a cloud, and the following NBA season will be the rest of the cloud for him.