The NBA just released the schedule for next season, and San Antonio Spurs star De'Aaron Fox should be circling the first game. Fox is fresh off a disastrous NBA Finals performance and should be eager to redeem himself.
He won't have to wait very long to do so. The Spurs will start next season against their arch rivals, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Having a strong game against the Spurs' rivals could go a long way towards calming concerns about his contract and his future with the team.
Fox wasn't at full strength against the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals but tried to soldier through the pain. Still, the ankle injury cost him two games and hobbled him for the remainder of the series.
To his credit, he had a gutsy performance in Game 7 against the Thunder, and he'll need to show even more to start next season.
A new season gifts De'Aaron Fox a chance to redeem himself
Fox chipped in 15 points and five assists while barely being able to run in Game 7. Had his season ended there, his stock would be much higher than it is now. Physically, he looked much better in the NBA Finals but played much worse.
As a result, he has a lot to prove. Having a strong outing against the Thunder to start next season would help to quiet critics. Fortunately, Fox has a good track record against the Thunder.
Remember, he scored 29 points on the road against the Thunder on Christmas Day last year. His performance gave the Spurs their third win against what was the best team in the NBA.
If he can get back to playing with that consistency, San Antonio could very well put the Thunder in their rearview and dominate the West.
The Spurs need De'Aaron Fox to start next season strong
Obviously, their matchup on October 20th is just one of many games, but it will set the tone for how next season will go for Fox. It's easy to forget that he didn't play the first eight games of last season.
To Fox's credit, he averaged 24.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in his first 11 games of the season. He quickly faded from there, but being ready to start next season and maintaining a fast start is crucial.
The same could be said for the Spurs as a whole. Beating the Thunder to start next season and keeping their foot on the gas could separate San Antonio from Oklahoma City. Fox will play a huge role in that next season.
