De'Aaron Fox makes explosive statement in impressive Spurs debut

Everything looks different when you have a point guard the opposition is forced to respect because he'll drop 60 on your head top if you don't. That's what San Antonio has now, and the way the Hawks respected the space around De'Aaron Fox was completely different than anything we've seen so far this season.

The newly acquired point guard didn't put up 40, but his 24 points, 13 steals, five rebounds, and three steals will do just fine. Victor Wembanyama put up 24 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and a block, and Devin Vassell added 20 points, three rebounds, four assists, and four steals. It was a complete team effort.

The Spurs have forced a few early turnovers, generating fastbreak opportunities, and when the ball is in the newly acquired point guard's hands, Atlanta's defense is jumpy. They don't know if he's going to pull up for a jumper, but what they do know is that he's fast enough to blow by them if they get too close. The result of that conflict will often look like the clip below.

Fox changes life for the San Antonio Spurs in several areas

Fans watching the game could easily tell the difference between what the Spurs had been putting on the floor last month and what Fox just morphed this team into. There was more control to the pace of the game, and they threatened Atlanta's defense in every way.

Fox can make every read on the court, so he can deliver the ball on time to spot-up shooters and cutters. He did so very well in the first quarter, racking up three early assists on top of his six points, and his defense is aggressive. The former Kings franchise player forced a turnover after navigating a screen, harassing Trae Young into a mistake.

Right now, the Spurs are in their honeymoon phase with Fox. Everyone is playing with unbelievable energy. Victor Wembanyama didn't even need to do much early in the game. He was an anchor on defense, as he always is, but he didn't have to do much offensively.

That probably should have been expected since he's been under the weather for the last week. Vassell was back in his old stomping grounds and just had his high school jersey retired. The Georgia native was looking for his shot, and it was falling. The looks he got were much easier with Fox on the floor, dictating the pace and manipulating the defense.

The Spurs scored 72 first-half points—the most they've scored in a half this season. They also held Atlanta to 54 points. You have to give the coaches and players credit. It was impossible to tell that this was Fox's first game with the Silver and Black.

They played together well on offense and rotated tightly on defense in the first two periods, and while the offense held up, the Hawks fought back in the second half—forcing the game down to the very last shot. Fortunately, the Spurs, energized by their new addition, held them off with some timely shot-making and a heady play from the free-throw line by Vic. They finished the game 126-125.

San Antonio plays the Hornets next on Friday, February 7. It's exactly the type of struggling team the Spurs need while acclimating to their new group. It's less than ideal for Charlotte, who won't know exactly what to expect. That works for us.