San Antonio Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox discussed his role on a team with multiple ball-handlers, telling NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, “For me, it’s just continue to try to be me.”
Fox emphasized both creating for himself and for teammates, adding, “Defensively, be a playmaker, you know, try to cause turnovers, and I think we all are able to get downhill and create for ourselves and create for others. So whenever you have guys like that, like I think it’s easy to play together.”
The 28-year-old guard is averaging 21.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in 27 games this season, while shooting 47.1% from the field and 35.3% from three. His defensive focus is central to San Antonio’s transition game, generating turnovers and fast-break opportunities.
Fox’s philosophy of multiple players attacking the rim is a recurring theme. “If the first line of defense stops Fox, they still have to contend with a secondary and tertiary playmaker who can exploit the resulting gaps,” analysts note, reflecting the Spurs’ emphasis on spacing and pace.
A key addition this season is 19-year-old shooting guard Dylan Harper, the 2025 No. 2 overall pick. Fox shared his pre-existing knowledge of Harper, saying, “I watched him in college. I’ve seen some of his high school stuff, too. I have an AAU team, so we still kind of follow a little bit of high school basketball, and just knowing his feel for the game, you know, the way that he’s able to get downhill and finish amongst seven-footers.”
Harper, who averages 11.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 26 games, demonstrates the ability to convert against larger defenders, a skill Fox views as rare and translatable to the NBA level. “Even though it’s different doing in high school, different doing in college, then you come to the NBA. But he’s definitely excelled at it, and he’s going to continue to be better,” Fox added.
San Antonio sits at 25-11, second in the Western Conference, scoring 119.3 points per game while allowing 113.9. Fox’s combination of offensive production, defensive playmaking, and mentorship of young talent like Harper is central to the Spurs’ strategy as they pursue the top seed.
With Victor Wembanyama anchoring the paint and Fox orchestrating the backcourt, San Antonio’s dual-threat approach allows multiple scorers to attack the rim, creating an offense that is difficult to defend in transition. Fox’s leadership both on and off the ball remains a defining factor for the Spurs this season.
