Chapter 81: Error 81
Hector didn't start the third quarter but didn't stop cheering on his teammates on the court. The Knicks came back with more aggressive intentions. Hector is in no hurry. He already knows that no Knicks player can stop him. He is convinced of it and was sure of it when he returned to the field.
The Kings still lead, but the Knicks are only 7 points behind. The score was 70-63; the home team picked up the momentum, and Ewing, saw the threat in, asking Hector to come into play. That lifted the Kings' spirits. Having your best player on the pitch is always a good sign when he benefits the team.
Hector's entry helped bring order to the Kings' offensive and defensive system. The problem with this game for the Kings is that the starting ball handlers are absent. With Hield on the bench and diminished, Ewing asked him to focus on catch-and-shoot. It is not a natural creator for others.
So it's Hector who dictates the game, which makes the Kings' game slower than with Fox. It's also in his plans for next year. It is time for the festival to resume. Hector once again blocks Randle, and Fournier is robbed of the ball on a poorly rebounded pass on the offensive rebound that follows the block.
The ball was recovered by Hield, who could not find the space to enter the dribble, but he saw Hector cut toward the basket and make the pass. Hector receives the ball, but this cup is a feint. The objective is to attract Randle to help Robinson. He doesn't even have a look. He knows Barnes or Holmes will be free. The free person was Barnes, who was at the dunker spot.
With five minutes left in the third quarter, Hector snatched an offensive rebound over Randle's head, then attempted a feint shot. Randle jumped, but Hector didn't try to shoot. Toppin, whom he defeated at the Dunk Contest, came to help, which left Metu wide open in the corner. The caviar is too good for him and adds three extra points.
After a defensive rebound, he pulled the ball up and put a system in place. He gave the ball to Mitchell, who used Hector on the pick and roll. He tries to penetrate but gives the ball back. Hector is in isolation against Robinson and makes a shooting feint. The feint was calculated because Walker, who wanted to steal the ball from behind, was fooled.
Mitchell found himself alone behind Hector, defenseless. Hector made him an assist for three points. Hector doesn't care, but he is one block away from the quadruple-double when he leaves the field without scoring a single point or losing a ball.
Ewing knowing his player, knows he doesn't care, but seeing the enthusiasm of the rest of the staff, he decides to persuade Hector to be more selfish.
"Hector, remember I asked you to be the best player in Kings history? You still remember it, I hope? »
"Of course not. What for? »
"I know you don't like to know your box score, let me tell you. Your match is already in history, and it's time for you to do something historic. Tell the entire NBA that there is a danger that can kill anyone, anytime, in our home. You're one block away from the quadruple-double but attack. You drive back to Sacramento in a car if you don't have a quintuple-double. »
Hector was serious when he returned to the field because the coach's "threat" was serious. His first points of the game came in the final quarter. It will cause a foul on Barrett, who tried to avoid the dunk but had nothing to do: two points and the free throw. Hector is 90% free throws this season, so he rarely misses.
Then on a missed shot by Mitchell, he makes a putback dunk. The Kings decided to play for him, but Hector never took shots he couldn't handle. He receives Mitchell's ball and goes up the field with it. He does not wait for anyone and triggers a pull-up jumper from nowhere. The Deadeye badge is activated.
The Kings players are boiling, and those of the Knicks have surrendered. The protagonist is on the opposing team. The audience will shout when he goes to perform his tenth block of the evening. Viewers and viewers want to know if he can finish the job. They know that someone is likely to go down in legend. Who supports who no longer makes sense?
The Kings' offense is useless. Give the ball to Hector, and that's it. So they gave the ball to Hector as it should be, and he scored his tenth point of the game on a mid-range shot.
Ewing called a timeout. Leave Hector, receive standing ovations from all over the Garden. Twitter is to explode. The NBA exploded. This is the real beginning of "The Error." A play on words with his well-found last name that will follow him throughout his career.
The television broadcasts Hector's impassive face. He doesn't care.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone