After the game against the Knicks, ESPN announced the MVP rankings announced the latest MVP ranking. Hector is ahead of R.J. Barrett, Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, and the Pacers drafted Homer Daniels. Hector has reigned at the top since the beginning of the season, and barring disaster, he will be difficult to dislodge.
He's having a season not seen in a long time, and you have to go back to Bob McAdoo to know an average like Hector's this season. It's to show how monstrous he is this season.
In 57 games, he averaged 31.9 points, 17.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 4.13 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. We're going to stop for two minutes here. The points we don't care about. It's not the first or last that has exceeded the 30-point average mark. He's not the top scorer this season. R.J. and Doncic are above him.
But 17 rebounds per game in 57 games played. Not seen since Dennis Rodman, the only one to tickle the 16-rebound mark was Andre Drummond during the 2017-18 season. Hector grabbed one more rebound than Drummond.
4 steals on average? Unheard of in the history of the league, and I don't think it can be achieved. Even on 2K, it isn't very easy. He is in his own world in this category. He has already reached the top 50 and is very close to the top 20. He will not be able to reach it this season but in only seven seasons, but it is an achievement in only seven seasons.
The DPOY has no suspense. Otherwise, it is one of the biggest thefts in history. Having the DPOY stolen when he is having a season never seen in the league's history would be problematic. In addition to the 4 steals, the average blocks are respectable.
The 30 points are just a bonus. Even with an average of 20 points, he would lead for the MVP, thanks to the Kings' collective record. This makes the probable coronation indisputable. The logic that "the best player on the best team is the MVP" is not always respected, but it will have to be respected in his case.
Not to mention the percentages in field goals and crazy free throws, no games under 10 rebounds so far, and you have more than a solid resume for the MVP. The question now will be whether he will get unanimity.
At the beginning of the season, many doubts were circulating about him. Failing twice at the foot of the conference finals and narrowly missing the MVP twice, it is normal to doubt him. Not his talent but his ability to transcend himself. For the worse, Hector's performances are too regular, and few matches stand out from a few explosions.
Compared to what the statistics show us, Hector is not much stronger than the previous season. The more the strength increases, the more the skills improve, and the smaller the progression arc will become. That's why he trained to become a complete player, thanks to the help of the system.
Each player has a ceiling: Once most of the potential has been discovered, only the details can improve a player. The system is powerful here. The more a star can perfect in detail, the more apparent his dominance will be.
This is where the Kings' exposure comes to its advantage. The audience sees its impact in the game, and it is impossible to feel the euphoria of the moment when watching the replay. That's what Hector has lacked all these years: a good impression from the public. He prefers to let his stats speak for him, but how can we watch him play if he doesn't put himself forward?
Belinda is also doing a good job. Sometimes, the MVP is just a conflict of interest behind the scenes. Thanks to her wife's "persuasion" and connections as an NBA agent, she uses the media to highlight him without upsetting her husband.
Not to mention the record, 50 wins in a competitive Western Conference means a home-field advantage. Power confirms the home-field advantage at the end of the All-Star Game. As long as they win the next game, even if they don't win games in the next two months, they will still keep a playoff spot.
Like Curry in 2015, that makes him incredible and shines a light on the Kings collective that highlights Hector's greatness.