After the San Antonio Spurs blew a 27-point lead to the New York Knicks, the NBA Finals aren't over, but fans' patience with De'Aaron Fox might have run out.
The San Antonio Spurs blew a 27-point halftime lead to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, falling 107-106. The Spurs now trail New York in the series 3-1, and will have to win out if they want to cement themselves as the best team in the NBA.
In the first half, the Spurs looked like the best version of themselves. Victor Wembanyama offered 16 first-half points, and Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper were both red-hot, offering 15 each with only one combined missed shot.
However, in the second half, Harper got cold, and Mitch Johnson opted to give De'Aaron Fox more run. Fox committed four foolish turnovers in the final 24 minutes and went one-for-five from the field in the fourth quarter.
As Harper thrived and Fox failed to ice the game, fans have been quick to turn on San Antonio's splashy trade acquisition from last year. It's hard to blame them.
Fox Trade Rumors Heat Up After Finals Stinker
In the second half, as the Spurs blew the third-biggest halftime lead in Finals history, Fox's performance was a comedy of errors.
He failed to read Wembanyama's roll, resulting in a turnover. He clanged a heavily contested stepback 3-pointer off the front rim, then threw the ball to Stephon Castle, who was not looking because Fox had an open lane. As if that wasn't enough, he dribbled off his foot and out of bounds, wasted an entire shot clock before missing another 3, and tried to beat OG Anunoby to the basket instead of dribbling out the clock, giving the Knicks their final, game-winning possession.
What a list!
"Try to get a layup, get up three and force them to need a 3,” Fox said when asked by The Athletic's Sam Amick to detail his final miss. “OG made a good block.”
After the game, rather than dwell on the worst loss in franchise history, the Spurs decided to look forward.
"I think the biggest challenge for us is the same as it's been this whole series: keep them out of transition, don't turn the ball over, and don't give up offensive rebounds," Fox listed. "That's when they've gone on their runs."
Let's see: Fox allowed the Knicks to rack up multiple fast breaks and jacked up ten misses, giving the Knicks plenty of chances to find a man down court.
Combine Fox's poor game with Harper's elite first half, and fans are calling for him to be traded. He was just signed to a four-year maximum extension, and after his stinker, his value has never been lower. Still, with Harper waiting on the bench, the Spurs should be motivated to get rid of him.
Teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies (depending on what they do with Morant), and Atlanta Hawks could all use a point guard.
Maybe it's time for the Spurs to buck up and move on, letting the Harper and Castle backcourt run wild. It can't be much worse than what fans saw on Wednesday!
