Chapter 146: Error 146
For her, Hector, De'Aaron, and Keegan are not a problem. Fox's extension is almost recorded, and Hector and Murray have more than three years of contract with the franchise, and nothing indicates any desire to leave. The three players are made of the same mold. They are not whimsical players.
None of them see themselves moving from Sacramento. But the real problem concerns head coach Patrick Ewing. Time is not waiting for anyone, and he told Monte that he will retire at the end of his contract in three years. What is embarrassing is that Hector will have to be extended the summer of his departure.
A casting error on the head coach would be problematic even without worrying about Hector's desire to extend. She was never really involved in the Kings' affairs, which is why there is a one-year delay before she takes over. She talked to Hector and Belinda about her concerns, but the other players viewed her work in the G League positively.
But today is an event. The Sacramento Kings are in the finals... From NBA Cup. So yes, it's not the NBA Finals, but they're still Finals. In the history of the Kings, they have appeared in a few finals—only one NBA title is owned by the Rochester Royals.
The Kings beat the Thunder and then the Pelicans to get there. The Kings lead the entire NBA with 18 wins and 3 losses. They only lost to the Warriors, Knicks and Bucks. Despite the experience of the opposing team, they are favorites.
The opponents are the Heat—the last chance for Jimmy Butler, Damian Lillard, and Bam Adebayo. First in the NBA but lost in the Conference semifinals, then lost to the future champion Bucks last year, and lost in the NBA Cup finals last year to the Mavericks.
Here are the results since Lillard's arrival. They are still competitive, but they lack a little trick to win. With Butler and Lillard's contracts expiring at the end of the season, Butler's injury concerns were more frequent but not enough to sound the alarm.
The Fox-Lillard and Herrera-Adebayo duels will be followed closely. No team will refuse a trophy, and even if the Heat's trophy cabinet is fuller than the Kings', adding an NBA Cup mem if it's not the NBA title is still welcome.
It is with time that each trophy becomes important. The Miami Heat has a close-knit collective that has known each other for a long time. The departure of Tyler Herro is the only significant departure in recent seasons, but it is a team that knows how to retain its players. The arrival of John Collins from the Jazz this summer improved a weakness.
Heat: PG Lillard, SG Robinson, SF Bulter, PF Collins, C Adebayo.
Kings: PG Fox, SG Jones, SF Barnes, PF Murray, C Herrera.
Ewing has made some roster adjustments that get Colby Jones into the starting five. This allows him to be better in defense and lets Duarte draw with Vezenkov coming off the bench, which puts less defensive pressure on him.
Hector is in the form of his life, and the whole NBA knows it, but it is better to experience it without being the target if possible. And unfortunately, it is the Heat who will experience an unplayable Hector.
When we summarize Hector's career, this match is undoubtedly among the best of his career.
Adebayo scored the game's first points, and Barnes scored the Kings' first two at the free throw line. De'Aaron scored his first points on an assist from Jones. This game will be an old-fashioned game with few 3-point shoots; the skill of both teams went on vacation.
Even Robinson, an elite sniper, lost his ammunition. Bam Adebayo scored two more points but dared not face Hector head-on. Two free throws by Lillard and a shot by Butler set the tone for the Heat.
Hector begins to get into his rhythm, he makes the control tower with finds a fault, and Barnes slips towards the basket. Hector seeing the move, made the pass and finished the possession with a layup. And he scored his first points of the game with a 3-pointer.
Colby Jones asked Hector for a screen but did not make a pass seeing access to the basket almost free. Robinson is not a threat but performs as a floater. On a pick and roll by Lillard and Adebayo, Bam scored a layup and brought the score to 13-12.
Hector gets an offensive rebound, but seeing no option, he gives the ball back to Fox, but the latter does nothing with it. But the Heat doesn't expect to attack directly. Hector ran, and seeing Adebayo in layup position, he jumped and sent the ball into the stands.
This game is highly intense, and spaces are challenging to find, but all are NBA player-referenced, and Fox is still a beast at driving layups. Rookie Mims Jr followed suit right after.
Hector made two free throws and converted both. Jimmy Bulter and Vezenkov exchanged the 3-pointers, and Mims made two free throws. After receiving the ball and seeing the passivity of the Heat's defense, Fox accelerated and landed a driving layup. Monk will also score his layup from his debut.
Hector will take advantage of the center of the Heat, Biyombo, in the low post with an up-and-under with the crowd. With another 3-pointer, a mid-range shot, and a layup, Hector is already at 17 points at the end of the first quarter. The Kings lead 31-27.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ryujinlevrai
Ryujinlevrai The internal situation of the team dictates the dynamics of a team. The market size is less critical than before for an NBA star, but it is not mentioned enough in the novels, to my great regret.
Sacramento is a small market; if Hector fails, it's a forced rebuild for Sacramento.
That's why many teams, even if mediocre, do not demolish when they go to the playoffs, take the Orlando Magic of Vucevic. Participation in the playoffs is beneficial for the ticket office, but sportingly if you cannot pass a playoff round, everything is useless.
Hector is in an odd situation, like his coach, Patrick Ewing. Potential MVP stats for years but no conference finals. Only a season where the light is so bright that it cannot be ignored.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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