De’Aaron Fox Sends a Message to the Spurs: “It Will Be Different in the Playoffs”
The San Antonio Spurs are surprising the NBA with the second-best record in the West: now the real test will come in the Playoffs.
Despite having one of the youngest rosters in the entire NBA, the San Antonio Spurs own the second-best record in the Western Conference at 38-16. Winning eight of their last 10 games has allowed the Texas franchise to leapfrog the Denver Nuggets and close the gap on the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who sit atop the West.
Young stars Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle have powered the team throughout the regular season, but the NBA Playoffs remain the great unknown: will they be able to replicate their impact in their first postseason experience?
Fresh off his second All-Star Game selection, De’Aaron Fox is the only Spurs starter with playoff experience (2023 with the Sacramento Kings). Alongside Luke Kornet and Harrison Barnes, he represents a crucial veteran presence in the locker room.
The former Kings guard immediately warned his teammates about the increase in intensity and quality of play once the Playoffs arrive:
It will definitely be a major adjustment, physically and especially mentally, but I’m sure we’ll do very well. Even if they say otherwise, games are officiated a little differently, especially as you get closer to the Playoffs. We’ll have to adjust.
De’Aaron Fox
Fox cautioned the group about the heightened intensity in the NBA Playoffs, also emphasizing a different officiating standard. Despite the departure of Gregg Popovich, the team has maintained its identity and winning mentality, supported by a coaching staff capable of reinforcing physicality and a high pace.
I think our coaching staff has put us in the ideal position not to let that affect the way we play, because we want to be a physical team and keep playing fast, competing until the final buzzer.
De’Aaron Fox
As the legendary Phil Johnson used to say, true contenders are the teams that reach 40 wins before suffering their 20th loss. The Oklahoma City Thunder showed last season that, with the right mindset, youth can become a major advantage on the floor. The San Antonio Spurs are now aiming to confirm that trend.