A defensive block and an ensuing dunk usually receive applause from teammates and a few mouths left agape in the crowd.

This time was different.

Kings rookie Spencer Hawes had shown flashes. He'd nailed a fadeaway jumper. He'd blocked a few shots. He'd pivoted left, then right and flipped in a lefty hook. He'd even hit a number of 3-pointers. None, however, caught the attention of the Kings fans and the media like Hawes' aforementioned sequence against the reviled Lakers.

Maybe it's because Hawes did it during crunch time in Los Angeles with the Kings hanging on to a two-point lead, just five days removed from the Lakers' comeback victory in Sacramento. Maybe it's because he hadn't shown such a strong presence on both ends of the court in a period of nine seconds before as a pro. Or maybe it's because nobody realized just how talented Hawes is, other than Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie and his staff of scouts who selected Hawes with the 10th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Whatever the case, people are beginning to believe in the young center now.

Hawes was genetically predisposed for this sport. His father and uncle both played professionally. More to the point, he's 7-0, agile and ambidextrous. So what he has shown of late, thanks to increased minutes, shouldn't really be a surprise. Then again, this is the New Media age where people are eager to conclude things about everyone, not just basketball players.

“I think I’m my biggest critic and I know my game better than anyone else," Hawes said when asked if he cared about others’ perceptions. "I don’t get caught up in what everybody else says. It’s more of how I perceive how I played.”

What's Hawes' current perception of how he's played? He still has a long way to go.

A self-admitted perfectionist, it's unlikely he will ever be satisfied.

So the work continues.

“I see a young player who’s getting an opportunity right now and taking full advantage of it," Kings veteran Kevin Martin said of his teammate and condo tenant. “He’s [very] poised out there for how young he is. We always have to remember he’s [only] 19. A lot of the time, when you’re 19, you only rely on your talent, but he’s been working hard with the coaches and he’s been working on his game. It’s definitely paying off. You can tell in the games because he has just been picking his spots and taking shots. What I like to see from Spence is dunking. He’s been dunking a lot lately and that’s what he needs to do to be aggressive.”

Arguably, no other intangible quality is more important in a center in the NBA than aggression. Those that intimidate on defense make the opposition reconsider driving to the bucket. Offensively, the same holds true. If a player gains a reputation for taking it strong to the bucket, defenders will think twice about getting in his way.

Hawes' block-dunk sequence at STAPLES Center not only put Hollywood on alert. It left veteran Derek Fisher thinking twice about driving on the young fella and ninth year forward Lamar Odom to meekly putting a hand up as he took a step out of the way.

When it comes to tangible qualities important for a center, footwork is one of the most overlooked. Fortunately, that's from a fan standpoint. Hawes has been dedicated to footwork for as long as he can remember and although he's young, it's his footwork that has gained him much adoration from those who remember Hall-of-Famer Kevin McHale, who many consider one of the best ever in that department.

"That's a young Kevin McHale right there," yelled an animated Kings fan on March 13 as Hawes thoroughly juked three Blazers off balance and dropped in a nifty left-handed hook.

Despite all the NBA greats' game-footage he has watched over the years, one thing that has helped his footwork this season, like waiting for his chance to play, is patience. And the person he tries to emulate in that department isn't even a big man, it's his friend and mentor, reigning Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy.

"What I try to pick up from him is the pace he plays at," Hawes said after catching up with Roy before the Kings-Blazers game. "He doesn’t rush, he doesn’t change his pace for anybody and that’s part of what makes him so effective.”

Tune-in to a Kings game and the youngest guy on the court is often the most elusive player on the floor with either hand. As Steve Nash has shown at point guard, yo-yoing the ball with his left and right, Hawes is able to do with the hook shot on the block.

Kings fans are just getting a glimpse of what currently appears to be a very promising career for the Seattle native. But don't think for a second that Hawes is anywhere near satisfied with what he has done thus far. He knows very well his next outing could be just as bad as his great outing in which he dropped 14 points, gathered eight boards and rejected four Lakers' shots in significant minutes to help the Kings beat the red-hot Lakers in hostile territory.

“You just have to be consistent with workout rituals," Hawes said as tip-off neared. "For some guys it takes a bad game for them to work hard. You just have to be consistent. Whether you’ve played a bad game or a good game you still have to work hard."

Not only that, his opportunity has just materialized, so while the McHale comparisons are premature, reasons for number 31 to be confident are not.

“I’m just waiting for the opportunity to play in games and now that it’s come, I just try to capitalize on it and try not to look back,” Hawes said before he notched career-highs in points (19) and rebounds (12) to go along with three blocks against the Grizzlies.

And why look back when the future shows so much promise.