The NBA has changed, and player movements go in pairs. The Pelicans decided to get rid of McCollum and Ingram for Donovan Mitchell.
The Suns broke down leaving only Devin Booker and Durant. The project was a failure, and demolition was only the only option. Like the Kings, two teams with great potential have come to light: The Thunder and the Spurs.
The two teams are not at the same stage as the Kings, but they are opponents they must consider for the title. The Eastern Conference is not standing still. The Pacers have strengthened with a power forward drafted, fueled by Haliburton. He has the potential to be excellent.
The Knicks and the RJ Barrett-Brunson duo are one of the best in the NBA. Unlike the previous decade, the transition of power is smooth. The promised stars of the last decade rarely had the expected success, or the level was insufficient to take on a significant role.
KAT, Wiggins, or Oladipo will never lead their teams to the title. But now Doncic, Hector, or Williamson are in place. The 2019 Draft to which Hector belongs already has 5 All-Stars which is a lot: Zion, Ja, R.J, Hector, and Jordan Poole blazing in Washington.
Not to mention the very good Rui Hachimura, Tyler Herro, and PJ Washington. In 2023 there were a lot of extra-sporting problems but since then the prejudices have changed. Zion and Ja have recovered from their dark periods, R.J. has become the scorer the Knicks have been waiting for, and Hector is the league's leading defenseman and rebounder without question. The 4 are potential MVPs or top 4s in their respective positions.
La draft 2018 a 3 All-Star: Doncic, Trae Young et SGA.
Quality is no longer up for discussion, and the league is resourcing talent. During a transition the cards are redistributed, LeBron's retirement has highlighted all this and the decline of the Warriors means that there is a place to take.
The defending champion Bucks are still competitive, but Khris Middleton is starting to feel the end coming, and the Nuggets are still there.
The ambiguous context makes it difficult to release a champion, and it will be necessary to be smart to bet on the winner. The Suns have clarified that "superteams" are no longer on the agenda. DeAndre Ayton's trade to Dallas was a loss, and the new CBA made it easier to demolish.
Hoping Durant and Booker could save the team, but Durant is injured-prone. Booker alone can no longer do better while the competition is strengthening. Impossible to see the light in these conditions.
But time goes smoothly for the Suns, and the season continues. The Kings started their seasons slowly without rushing. With a record of 5-2, nothing shows dominance except the stats of Hector, who wreaks havoc on the field.
With 31.5 points, 17.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 4.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game over the seven games, he is logically player of the month without possible dispute. Whoever would have had the title in his place would have been violently challenged.
Sacramento is not an audience team, it's not New York or Los Angeles, but it's less critical than it was in the 80s—no need for a big market to attract audiences. Hector is too strong to go unnoticed.
It's not spectacular. In his highlights, no one will see Hector's dunk compilations or drives out of balance. It's a mixtape of fundamentals, fake moves, a few "Mexico Steps," and two or three shots clutches. Saying that he is Tim Duncan's descendant would not be a mistake.
What makes it unique is the abuse of fake moves. Hector is passionate about football/soccer; feints are standard. It is the only thing that is enhanced by its passive system. He has a body-control that allows him to do that. And as in football/soccer, the equivalent to basketball are fakes.
A fake move distorts the opponent to get an easy shot or draw crowds. Drawing a foul can cause free throws or add to a team's number of fouls. Not to mention, Hector is the best free-throw shooter in the league.
Combine it all with his size and skills that are among the best in the league, and you have a weapon that causes huge headaches to everyone who faces it. Some players are offensive weapons that can score many points every game, but Hector is different.
Not only can he score like crazy, but he can also render all tactics and effort useless with a simple fake. He has become a qualified defense-breaker, but his contribution is more than that.
After setting the volume context, it's time for me to try something new. I will throw 10 chapters from the next three days that I have in the draft. And after that there will be more about Hector's daily life and some information about the system and its impact on his performance. Consider that he is already one of the best players in the league from this chapter.