NBA – De’Aaron Fox’s Harsh Reality Check on Victor Wembanyama: “We Feel It”

Joining the Spurs to form a formidable duo with Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox now finds himself having to navigate the remainder of the season without his highly anticipated teammate. In a recent interview, he reflected on the situation with a philosophical outlook.

Fox’s Trade to San Antonio and His Plans with Wembanyama

When Fox’s trade request became public, numerous teams immediately expressed interest in acquiring the talented point guard before the trade deadline.

Many of these opportunities could have allowed him to contend for a championship right away.

However, Fox chose to join a long-term project in San Antonio, drawn by the prospect of teaming up with Victor Wembanyama.

Unfortunately, his vision for the Spurs quickly took an unexpected turn.

After only a few games alongside the French phenom, Wembanyama was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to health concerns, forcing Fox to rethink his expectations and approach in San Antonio.

De’Aaron Fox Opens Up About Wembanyama’s Absence

Arriving in early February, Fox played only five games with Wembanyama before the star rookie had to step away from the court.

Since then, the Spurs have struggled, winning just one of their five games without their towering centerpiece.

When asked about how the team is adjusting to life without Wemby, Fox admitted the obvious:

De’Aaron Fox: “We feel his absence on the court.”

Indeed, it has been difficult for head coach Mitch Johnson and the team to compensate for the massive impact Wembanyama had, despite their efforts to adjust their game plan.

However, according to Fox, continuing to play games helps the team move forward rather than dwell on the setback:

De’Aaron Fox: “The fact that life goes on helps most people avoid thinking about it constantly.”

“In these moments, all you focus on is the job you have to do. As for us, we continue to pray for him and hope he returns in good health, of course. We’re not necessarily thinking about basketball when it comes to him. But at the same time, going out onto the court allows us to take our minds off it. That’s where basketball truly becomes a sanctuary.”

Can the Spurs Recover Without Wembanyama?

While playing games provides the team with an escape from the reality of Wembanyama’s absence, the remaining 25 games of the season are unlikely to bring much joy to Spurs fans.

Unless San Antonio somehow finds a way to string together wins, their season will likely remain a difficult one. Given their recent performances, however, that seems highly improbable.

Though the Spurs undeniably feel the loss of Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox is making the best of the situation by staying focused on playing and avoiding the frustration surrounding his teammate’s unfortunate setback.