De'Aaron Fox truthers should be taking a victory lap after his latest performance

San Antonio Spurs star De'Aaron Fox's early season performance should fuel hopes for a bounce-back season. His 17.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 2 steals per game thus far might not jump off the screen, but he's looked far better than he did in the NBA Finals.

Admittedly, that's a low bar to clear, but Fox has displayed much improved decision-making and athletic burst, including against the Dallas Mavericks, in which he scored 19 points and handed out 9 assists. That returning burst of speed has helped him effortlessly get into the paint and finish at the rim or spray out to open shooters.

His play has quieted concerns about his max contract and rewarded the fans who believed that he would eventually thrive with the team.

He's been especially helpful finding superstar Victor Wembanyama easy baskets by throwing pinpoint alley oops. In fact, his improved passing has been perhaps the most encouraging.

De'Aaron Fox truthers must be taking a victory lap

Despite being known as a scorer, he has proven to be the Spurs' best passer this season, which is all the more impressive playing alongside two other point guards.

Still, Fox has been perfectly capable of getting into the paint and finishing, and his 3-point shot has been falling to start the season. Fox playing as well as he has underscores San Antonio's need for him to have a bounce-back season.

After all, he is still the key to making their three point guard lineup work, with him being the best playmaker and scorer of the bunch and also the most experienced. Given Stephon Castle's tendency to get sloppy with the ball, Fox is especially useful, helping the Spurs cut down on turnovers.

Wembanyama is clearly the Spurs' most important player, and Castle and Dylan Harper's development is crucial to the team's long-term success. That said, if San Antonio wants to win a championship this season, Fox is the biggest difference maker.

De'Aaron Fox is the biggest difference maker for the Spurs

Having a more engaged Fox is almost like a bonus for the Spurs. San Antonio is already talented enough without him to compete, but with him, he can make this team special.

We've already seen more pick-and-rolls with Wembanyama, which will hopefully unlock a potent two-man game that's been teased but never fully explored. Him connecting with Wembanyama on several of the alley-oops thus far gives the Spurs yet another guard who can consistently find their best player for easy baskets.

It also helps Fox, who can exploit the defensive attention Wembanyama draws as a floor spacer and roll man to get into the paint. In Sacramento, his scoring was his main strength, but he's been forced to wear many hats with the Spurs.

In addition to scoring and passing, he's been tasked with defending, and he's stepped it up this season. His activity on that end of the floor has helped the Silver and Black close out on shooters, force turnovers, and get out in transition.

He leads the team in steals, showing that he doesn't just have to score to make a big impact. Fox might never live up to his max contract, but if he keeps this level of play up, on both ends, the San Antonio will be far better for it.

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