Spurs' schedule gives De'Aaron Fox perfect opportunity to silence doubters

The Spurs have 34 nationally televised games next season, which is a noticeable leap from the 22 they were scheduled to play last season. It's a testament to how far this franchise has come in the Victor Wembanyama era. More importantly, it gives De'Aaron Fox a perfect opportunity to change the narrative on him.

The back half of the playoffs weren't kind to Fox. He did have some good moments but largely struggled to perform at an All-Star level. His scoring and efficiency dipped, and some bad late-game decisions in the NBA Finals did even more damage to his reputation.

Next season is about him repairing his image. We all know De'Aaron is a great player; he's already proven that. He's a two-time All-Star for a reason. But it's his responsibility to bounce back after a rough performance on the biggest stage of his career. San Antonio's large array of national TV games will give him a chance to restore faith in his ability as a championship-caliber point guard.

The world needs to see De'Aaron Fox's impact

While De'Aaron Fox was an All-Star last season, his impact on the Spurs was a bit underrated. Sure, his numbers weren't as flattering as other elite Western Conference guards like Luka Doncic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, he was still a driving force behind San Antonio's monumental success.

It's fair to critique De'Aaron for his subpar postseason performance. But you still must understand how important he is to this team. The Spurs would not have become a contender without his experienced shot creation and ball-handling. Unfortunately, it feels like his naysayers are a bit louder than his believers these days.

But there's value in exposure. People can't downplay a player's impact when it's front and center all season long. Fox can force his doubters to eat their words if he shines in those 34 games, particularly against San Antonio's biggest rivals such as OKC, New York, and Minnesota.

It's time for De'Aaron Fox give the people what they want to see

De'Aaron Fox has the platform to silence his doubters. Now it's on him to do the work and return to playing like the All-Star point guard Spurs fans know he is.

He needs to get back to being an efficient scorer. He may not average over 20 points per game, but if he can consistently hit shots at all three levels, that would make a huge difference for the Spurs.

More importantly, he has to show up in the clutch. Whether he's operating as the primary ball handler or playing off Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper, he must be a reliable scoring option down the stretch in big games. That's the biggest reason why San Antonio traded for him.

It's too early to give up on De'Aaron Fox. Every player has their rough patches at some point, but it's up to them to respond and bounce back. That's what next season is all about for him.

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