"We did the right thing. Swipa was fit today, I had to feed him, and he ate well." Hector in the post-game conference. He's getting used to it to journalists, but it's still not something he likes.
"If we won, it's because the team did what we had to do to win. That is the way we work. There are nights when one player is better than another, and the whole team must support him. If Keegan scores 50 points, we have to win to reward him. »
"H.B.? He's made many sacrifices this season. If we win the title this season, it's the first one I'll go to congratulate, and some people think the same thing. »
Draymond Green doesn't hide his tongue in his pocket and says what he thinks loud and clear: "Right now, the best player in the league is playing in Sacramento. He's so good offensively and defensively. This generation, they will no longer dream of the DPOY. »
The best player in the league? Nobody knows, but the level displayed by Hector is exceptional this season. And defensively, he's as dominant as Green was during his prime. It's not just a simple stealer. Hector's immense defensive versatility has made the Kings have one of the best defenses in the league for 3 years.
There is versatility to defend several positions, but what makes his splendor is his versatility of defensive roles. On screens, he can play drop, hedge, and trap his area of excellence. He can switch, play in zone and screen coverages and do everything at an elite level.
Even off-ball, he can play the low-man, the stunt. In any configuration, he is top 10 in the league. This makes him terrific off-ball; away from it, he retains his impact, and the opponent feels it. It's an artifact that can be deployed no matter the situation, and it's probably the only player with Draymond Green has his peak who is versatile enough to do all that.
In short, the Kings defeated the Warriors without being threatened. The morale of the team is at its peak. As Ewing said, "The goal is the playoffs." Talk of an NBA title is only once the playoffs have taken place.
Despite the praise of journalists, the Kings are in their bubble. There are doubts about the Kings' chances of getting the Holy Grail, but among players, it's taboo.
Hector has the training the next day to gather everyone. Even the coaching staff came, Hector being one of the team's leaders.
"Guys, they're telling us we have to go for the title, and I'm sure you think the same. Me too, but I would like to make a pact with all of you. No one talks to the media about the title. For them, the goal is the playoffs. For us internally, that's the title. If the conversation is leaked to the media, there is a spy among us. " said the Mexican solemnly. The dictator's aura came out of his body.
The potential "accusations" in the event of leaks are terrible. No one would want to mess with a spy, it's something that can kill a locker room and ruin the cohesion of any team.
The player accused of espionage can see his NBA career ended with a reputation as an outcast in the locker room, the world is small, the culprit will not be able to escape and his reputation will take an irreparable blow.
"It's essential for us to keep a low profile. There is no point in talking to make noise. The goal is to leave the beam on all night and make the parade here. Please do us a favor. He added. His teammates are moved. They know he's Hector. He never talks a lot, but every word has its value.
He's not a closed person, either. On the contrary, he is a bon vivant and a joker in everyday life. He is a discreet and exemplary leader and has never put himself forward. To see him take this initiative is surprising but logical.
It is important to keep a cool head. The Kings don't have the qualifications to be exuberant. Apart from Barnes, no one has been an NBA champion, and he is not qualified to be exuberant. Vezenkov was Euroleague MVP but in the NBA he's a good player role.
De'Aaron is one of the leaders and, of course, will go his way. "We're going to bring the title back to Sacramento. Gone are the days when everyone laughed at us. I have my wedding ring with my wife, and I need my wedding ring with this team. By wedding ring with the team, his allusion is obvious. No one is fooled.
He stood in the middle of the circle with Hector and raised his fist. "Those who follow me with fists in the air delete my number."
Everyone approached Hector and De'Aaron and raised their fists in the air.
"I repeat, the goal for them is us is the title. 1, 2, 3 LIGHT THE BEAM BABY.»
"LIGHT THE BEAM BABY" is under this battle cry that the season continues.