In Week 13 of the 2022-23 season (Jan. 9-15), the league announced that Hector was named Player of the Week. This is his first career, and what a week. Last week, Hector averaged 24.5 points, 14.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks while leading Sacramento to a 4-0 record. The Kings are 24-18, the fourth-best record in the Western Conference.
On the other side, Jalen Brunson also had a great week, averaging 34.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5 assists while leading New York to a 3-1 week. The Knicks are currently 25-19, the sixth-best record in the Western Conference.
Two faces are unfamiliar to the NBA community, which is used to seeing the stars highlighted, but it is impossible to go unnoticed. Hector is having an incredible season with Sacramento. Patrick Ewing couldn't be more explicit when he said, "If De'Aaron Fox and Hector Herrera aren't All-Stars, shame on the selection process."
When you look at the competition for the All-Star in the West, you don't see why they can't meet at the All-Star Game in Salt Lake City next February. However, they must rely on the media's votes, the players, and the coaches. This is not really worrying for Hector because he has a solid fanbase in Mexico.
Even if that's not everything, he's much more likely to be there than Fox. The competition among guards is incredible, and unlike Hector, he's not better than the others statistically. The real problem is the impact of big markets like Los Angeles and San Francisco on small ones like Sacramento when sending some players to the All-Star Game.
Hector is only a few votes ahead of Kevon Looney, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green. Given Hector's season, it's borderline insulting to be so close to them. We're talking about someone in the top 8 in the MVP rankings. And what about Fox? He's only 10th in the ranking behind guys like... Austin Reeves, Russell Westbrook, and Klay Thompson.
Disrespect is not the word, but it is the price to pay. For better or worse, the Kings' previous seasons are a heavy burden for Fox. Like it or not, he's the one who represents the Kings' non-playoff seasons because he never got them there to their destination. Hector is spared this fact because he was only a newcomer before last season.
But now he's the only All-Star of the two. Before this season, insiders were Fox because he did not show any real signs of progress in his game, unlike Hector, who is progressing.
Speaking of progress, the season is moving forward, and a player who symbolizes the Kings' season. It's Keegan Murray. The Kings have beaten the Lakers and Spurs and are on a five-game winning streak, and a surprising team is moving to the Golden 1 Center.
The Thunder are on the edge of the Play-in and looking for a victory to join the top 10. The Kings are in a full jam this season and remain on five consecutive wins. Their confrontation was good, and some took the opportunity to show themselves.
It was a closely watched encounter: Kings vs. OKC. A gala SGA, a Hector in triple-doubles, and Keegan Murray in record mode, especially Sacramento, who never stops winning.
Keegan Murray had a career-best game: 29 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, and omnipotence on offense and defense. There were two "Hectors" on the field. Murray was crazy efficient than his Mexican teammate: 10/12 shooting, including 5/7 3-pointers. The number 4 of the last Draft was phenomenal and serene. We have seen the dominance in the image of his team this season. The power forward comes out with a performance worthy of his status, which makes him a potentially credible candidate for Rookie of the Year.
Behind him, his "lieutenants" Hector posted a huge triple-double: 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists, and De'Aaron Fox, still as a clutch, finished with 25 points. A real Big Three that turns at full speed and allows Sacramento to continue its incredible momentum. That's six affiliate wins, and the Kings remain on the podium in the West.
Opposite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander does the job for nothing: 37 points and 7 assists for the Canadian, who did everything to keep OKC in the game. For the Kings, it was a great win against an opponent who was challenging to beat. For the Thunder, it's a stoppage.