After losing the NBA Finals to the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs fans found their scapegoat in De'Aaron Fox. Months later, Fox finally addressed his lackluster performance.
If the San Antonio Spurs made one thing clear at Media Day on Monday, it was that their NBA Finals loss to the New York Knicks is more than enough motivation for the upcoming season. The Spurs have talent, depth, and now a chip on their shoulder.
In the Finals, the Spurs blew multiple 20-point leads to the Knicks, falling in five games. De'Aaron Fox averaged an inefficient 12 points in that series, and his poor play has been a topic of discussion since then. He's been swept up in trade rumors, although the Spurs remain committed to him as a core member of their backcourt.
In the postseason, Fox suffered both wrist and ankle injuries, which certainly slowed him down. Playing through the pain is admirable, and Fox fielded questions about the Finals and his injury.
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De'Aaron Fox Speaks About Spurs' Finals Collapse
There's a belief in the sporting world. If you're healthy enough to play, then you don't get to use injuries as an excuse. If you sit out, you can claim "asterisk" or "what if," but when Fox took the floor, he voided any excuse.
He seems to know that.
"Injuries happen," he summed up. "I was able to play through what I played. I wish I played better, but I didn't. But I feel like I have a gift for being able to move on, and I've moved on from it. I reflect. But it's a new season. It's a new day."
Fox had only made the postseason once before, as a member of the Sacramento Kings. He lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors, so last year was his first real taste of playoff success. For most of the Spurs, that was the case.
The team, it seems, has "gotten over" the loss, although they aren't ready to move on. Until they raise a banner at the Frost Bank Center, something will be missing. Fox is keenly aware of the expectations this year, as well as the added pressure.
Trade rumors will continue to swirl. For now, though, Fox is still positioned as the second-best player on the roster behind Victor Wembanyama. For him, it's Finals or bust.
And as the veteran leader of the team, he's going to instill the same standard in the rest of the roster.
