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Why a former NBA guard thinks disrespect is affecting De'Aaron Fox

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Why a former NBA guard thinks disrespect is affecting De'Aaron Fox originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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De'Aaron Fox has spent much of this postseason adapting his game to what San Antonio needs. At times, that has meant taking over offensively. At others, it has meant facilitating, defending and helping guide one of the NBA's youngest cores through high-pressure moments.

Former NBA guard Jeff Teague thinks that adjustment may have come at a cost.

Speaking on the Club 520 Podcast, Teague argued that the criticism and lack of recognition Fox has received over the years may be affecting the way he approaches games. Referring to a recent performance in which Fox scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, Teague said, "You could tell he taking his foot off the gas a little bit and letting other people do things."

Teague suggested that outside narratives can subtly change a player's mentality. "You hear the noise, the outside noise, and it affects you a little bit," he said. "Like you just want to do enough so people get off like it wasn't me."

It's an interesting perspective because Fox's reputation was built on relentless aggression. During his years in Sacramento, he emerged as one of the league's most feared clutch performers, regularly taking over fourth quarters with his speed and shot creation. Teague pointed to that version of Fox when he added, "He was one of the best 4th quarter players in the NBA for years."

There is another side to the discussion, however. Since joining the Spurs, Fox has been asked to share responsibilities with Victor Wembanyama and help elevate a roster filled with developing talent. In that environment, sacrificing shots for ball movement and team balance can be viewed as maturity rather than passivity.

Still, Teague's comments raise a fair question. The Spurs do not simply need Fox to be efficient; they may need him to be assertive. Great teams often require stars to recognize when facilitating is helping and when taking control is necessary.

If Teague is right and Fox has been dialing back his natural instincts because of outside criticism, San Antonio's ceiling could depend on him rediscovering that attacking mindset. The Spurs already have a leader. What they may need now is the closer who once dominated fourth quarters across the league.

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