Sacramento Kings Photo
Former Kentucky star De’Aaron Fox couldn’t lead Sacramento to a Game 7 victory over Golden State because of a sensational 50-point game by superstar Steph Curry. However, Fox’s first playoff series certainly was historic.
His 192 points in his playoff series debut were the most ever behind only LeBron James’ 214 points in 2006.
Fox averaged 27.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game for the Kings, who had not been in the playoffs since 2006. Fox had 38 points in Games 1 and 4 but his scoring production dropped the last three games when he played with a fractured left index finger on his shooting hand.
But Fox left a lasting impression with his play and that included impressing Curry who told the former UK star others now knew who he was.
“Obviously, to be able to play on this stage and perform, I don’t think I played well tonight, and I know there’s another level I have to get to as a professional and our team has to get to as well, but I’m grateful for this experience and the playoffs was everything I expected it to be,” Fox said after the 120-100 Game 7 loss.
“This is definitely a building block. Obviously, being able to play a team like this, who we all have tremendous respect for, who’ve been there (and) done that, it’s definitely just something that you build on. We had a good season. We were the third seed. We stayed relatively healthy.
“I think playing against this team in the first round was a blessing and a curse. You could learn a lot. You’re not the favorite to win. We fought every game, but they did what champions do.”
Golden State star Draymond Green is not the most lovable NBA player and can infuriate opponents. He admitted he often has “less respect” for opponents after playing against them but that was not the case with Fox.
“Whether it’s how they act in a moment, how they step up to the pressure, I’ve lost a lot of respect for guys over the years in the playoffs. And then there are some that you gain respect for. There are some that you see, and you know they’re cut from that same cloth you feel like you’re cut from. And Fox is one of those guys, so I just paid my respect,” Green said.
“Hard-fought battle. Obviously, he’s on the wrong end of it, but we’ve been there before. I’ve been to a Game 7 and lost in the first round. It was my second year in the league. We did that against the Clippers. You have to go through that to ultimately reach where you want to go, and so I was really just showing my love and respect for him as a competitor. I was honored to compete against him.”
This could be the start of even bigger things for Fox. He made the all-star team for the first time and helped the Kings win 48 games after the team won only 32 games the previous year.
“We’re still a relatively young team,” Fox said after Sunday’s loss. “I feel like we learned a lot from this series. That’s why this is a blessing and a curse to play against this team in the first round. We learned a lot and you just try to build off that.”
