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If you’ve watched the Cleveland Cavaliers recently, you’ve probably seen a jaw-dropping pass or two from James Harden. Most fans knew of Harden’s playmaking — but actually seeing it in action, with those dimes being thrown to the players on your favorite team, is an entirely different experience than watching it happen for other franchises.

Harden’s dishing out nearly nine assists per game since joining the Cavs. While it’s a small sample size of just six games, he’s yet to finish with fewer than seven assists as a Cavalier. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. He’s a legendary passer who’s now running point guard for a Cleveland squad that set the league ablaze last season.

The Cavs had the third-highest offensive rating in league history last season. And even though their personnel have changed quite a bit since then, they still have enough firepower to make life feel like a playground for someone like Harden.

Whether it’s throwing lobs to Donovan Mitchell, spraying out to shooters like Sam Merrill, or dissecting his opponents in the pick-and-roll with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley — Harden’s arguably never had more options to pass to.

So, without further ado, here are 10 passes that show why Harden is having so much success on his new team.

Number One

Let’s start with the biggest difference Harden brings to Cleveland. He’s a BIG playmaker who can use his 6’5” 220-pound frame to navigate the floor and unlock options they haven’t had before.

Can you imagine Mitchell or Darius Garland playing with their back to the basket in the high-post like this? Probably not.

You might envision Evan Mobley in this spot, as he has operated this action before, but there’s a huge difference between being an above-average playmaker for your position (like Mobley) and being one of the greatest playmakers in league history. Advantage: Harden.

So what exactly makes the above play special?

Harden sets up in the high post. This starting position changes the dynamic of Allen/Merrill’s action. Being here allows Harden to deliver the ball to the roller or to the perimeter more easily than if he were standing in the corner or on the wing (where would Merrill even pop out if Harden is on the perimeter?).

The spacing just doesn’t work the same if Harden isn’t able to secure a deeper position.

Now watch the screen set by Allen. Washington isn’t willing to switch or play at the level of the screen because they recognize Allen’s threat to roll or catch with a mismatch. That means Merrill’s defender is on an island with no hope of contesting his shot.

The pass itself isn’t anything special. But Harden’s size permits the entire play to develop. Look below for another example of this.

Number Two

The Cavs set up in horns with Harden and Merrill on the elbows. Again, Harden’s ability to comfortably operate inside the perimeter sets him apart from Mitchell and Garland.

Jaylon Tyson cuts through the middle after entering the ball to Harden. From there, Allen sets a flare screen for Merrill — and when the Wizards (again) choose to prioritize covering Allen’s roll, Merrill wisely uses his man’s momentum against him and cuts backdoor for a layup.

But check the bounce pass from Harden. Specifically, where and when he throws the ball.

Harden has a knack for leading his teammates into open space. This pass is zipping towards the basket before Merrill even realizes he’s going to be open. So not only is Harden able to initiate plays from more advantageous angles — but he can read a defense to filth and deliver the ball with precision to generate easy buckets.

Number Three

Alright, let’s get to something flashy.

Harden’s one of the best pick-and-roll operators the game has ever seen. This behind-the-back pocket pass is one of the reasons why.

This begins with a subtle move to lead his defender into the screen. Then, when Harden senses that Kyshawn George is trailing behind the roll, he realizes the only way to deliver the ball through this window is to zip it behind his back before the pocket closes.

There’s really not much else to say about this. Anyone with eyes can tell you how ridiculous this is.

Number Four

Back to some nuances.

Harden’s size isn’t just an advantage when playing with his back to the basket. He can also use it to absorb more contact and play at a deliberate pace when driving to the hoop.

In this play, Harden is being hounded by Tim Hardaway Jr., but he never has to speed himself up to avoid losing control. He takes the contact, burrows his way into the paint, and then jumps to find the open man when Denver’s defense collapses.

Again, compare this to Mitchell or Garland. Undersized gaurds ineherently have to play with more speed in these scenarios. They don’t have enough size to play through this much ball pressure. But because Harden is able to take his time, it allows this entire play to materialize.

A quick dash to the hoop wouldn’t leave enough time for this to develop. Harden’s pace allows Mitchell to cut to the opposite corner. That causes Sam Merrill to dive to the corner, taking Christian Braun out of Harden’s space. Then, when Bruce Brown stays to clog the lane — Mitchell makes it to the other corner — and Jamal Murray has to dig down to cover the skip pass. All of this culminates in Harden walking into the lane and spraying it out to Tyson, who is now wide open.

But none of that happens if Harden isn’t able to work through contact and control the tempo. A smaller player would have attacked the rim at breakneck speed and had nowhere to go because the rest of the play hadn’t formed.

Number Five

Here we see another example of Harden’s deliberate pace.

Watch the consecutive hang-dribbles that Harden uses after curling around Allen’s screen. This momentary hesitation forces the Kings’ big man to commit to his drive. And that gives Allen the time he needs to claim space inside the paint.

And because Harden isn’t going from zero-to-100, he’s able to gently drop this bounce pass to where only Allen can catch the ball. Perfect process and execution.

Number Six

Back to some highlights.

Harden’s bounce pass might be the most underrated aspect of his game. He makes this pass look easier than it is.

The extra beat he takes to look at the corner and open Noah Clowney just enough to squeeze the ball through that window is the difference between an Allen dunk and a turnover.

Number Seven

We’ve seen the bounce pass. Now let’s look at a different delivery.

This is an easy read. Harden comes off the screen and immediately draws two to the ball. But watch how he releases this pass. Harden jumps and floats this over-the-top pass with a downward trajectory to drop the ball perfectly into Mobley’s hands.

Once more, Harden’s height gives him access to a pass that Mitchell and Garland don’t have. Both could have made this read — but only Harden could serve this dish as cleanly as he did.

Number Eight

This is just a brilliant play.

Harden recognizes that Mobley has drawn a mismatch and is being fronted in the post. So while all eyes are on Tyson’s screen — Harden sails a pass over the defense for an easy dunk.

Making this pass from the logo, without wasting any time dribbling, is why Mobley is able to punish his mismatch before Brooklyn recovers.

Number Nine

In this clip, we get to see our first drive-and-kick from Harden.

It begins with a nasty crossover to get around Michael Porter Jr, a skill that we haven’t focused enough on. Harden’s as slippery as they come, and his ability to break his defender in isolation is what makes him such a threat, to begin with.

After dispatching Porter, the Nets are forced to send a second defender to stop Harden’s drive. Now Harden can either dish to Allen in the dunker’s spot — or — more effectively, jump hook a pass to the 47.5% three-point shooter in the corner. Harden chooses the more difficult pass and is rewarded with an assist.

Number Ten

I don’t need to tell you that this pass was nasty. I just figured we’d end on a high note.

Draw attention to the touch required to throw a lob this softly after breaking out in transition. Harden floats this pass gently to the rim, and all Mitchell has to do is jump and guide it home.

Seriously, I can’t comprehend how the ball hangs in the air for so long when taking into account how fast Harden is running. It’s the type of pass that only an all-time great can make.

If you want to watch all of these plays together, check out the tweet below.

Draymond Green hilariously roasts Kendrick Perkins' Warriors, Steph Curry remark originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The long history between Warriors forward Draymond Green and former NBA center Kendrick Perkins continues to live on.

With Golden State’s star guard Steph Curry expected to be sidelined for at least three more games with right patellofemoral pain syndrome, Perkins suggested that the Warriors simply should rest their stars for the rest of the season.

“Shut ‘em down for the remainder of the season,” Perkins expressed on “The Road Trippin’ Show.” “Let’s be real, this Warriors team is not going anywhere. Draymond Green, I don’t know where his mind is at, but it’s definitely not on the game of basketball. He looked horrible [on Thursday against the Boston Celtics].

“Shut Steph down. Let those guys play it out. See what guys fit. Right now, I would let the rest of the Warriors team outside of Steph play this season out and audition to see if they want to be here.”

Of course, Green did not back down and hilariously responded to Perkins’ comments that were most specifically directed at him.

“In the world we live in, these guys need something to talk about every day,” Green stated on “The Draymond Green Show”. “And so, they make the biggest deal out of [something with] no deal.”

In the Warriors’ last two games before the All-Star break against the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 9 and the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 11, Green finished strong, combining for 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Unfortunately, the 35-year-old had a rough game in Golden State’s 121-110 loss to the Celtics on Feb. 19, scoring zero points in just 19 minutes played.

“Going into the All-Star break, everybody was like, ‘Oh my god, man, Draymond turned back the clock. Draymond played great,” Green said. “And then one game after the All-Star break, you have a rough game, and then this guy goes, ‘I don’t know where his head is at, but it ain’t on basketball.’ You’re not allowed to have a bad game anymore. I think it’s very interesting.”

Green then turned his attention to Perkins, who only averaged more than 10 points per game in a season once in his 14-year NBA career.

“Needless to say, yeah, Perk, you never had bad games,” Green responded to Perkins’ comments. “Perk, we’ve seen you play, big fella. We saw you, big dog, you played. To go in on a bad night, Perk, you played.

“We got the clips. We got clips of your screen-setting. We got clips of your jump shots, Perk. We got clips of your jump hooks. You played big Perk. Careful, man. We can start pulling clips now, big Perk…You know how it goes to have one bad game. I can promise you, big Perk, I ain’t where you were at the end of yours.”

During the 2025-26 season, Green is averaging 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, but is shooting at an abysmal rate of 40.9 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range.

The Warriors certainly will need every bit of help they can get to make a playoff push with 25 games left to play in the regular season, and that starts with Green and Curry, who have been the pillars of the team and the organization for over a decade.

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Moses Moody's mom shares throwback foreshadowing Al Horford as Warriors teammate originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

A childhood photo is bringing things full circle for Moses Moody.

Moody’s mom, Rona, shared a throwback image on social media from Chris Paul‘s 2015 “CP3 Camp,” showing a 13-year-old Moody posing in front of a display featuring Al Horford’s wingspan.

At the time, Horford was in the middle of his prime with the Atlanta Hawks, fresh off multiple NBA All-Star seasons and widely regarded as one of the league’s most versatile big men.

Moody, meanwhile, was just beginning his own basketball journey.

Six years later, the Warriors selected Moody with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He quickly carved out a role as a steady presence on the wing, contributing to Golden State’s 2022 championship run and continuing to develop into a key rotation piece.

Horford’s path, too, eventually brought him to the Bay.

After stints with the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder — including an NBA title with Boston in 2024 — the veteran big man signed with the Warriors ahead of the 2025-26 season.

That move ultimately connected the two in a way neither could have imagined back in 2015.

What once was a simple camp photo now stands as a rare full-circle moment — a young Moody posing in front of an NBA star, years before becoming his teammate on the same court.

And while the moment centers on Horford, it carries another subtle layer: the photo was taken at Paul’s camp — years before Moody and Paul briefly shared a locker room during the Warriors’ 2023-24 season.

Now, the picture looks less like a coincidence — and more like a preview.

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Being selected first overall is the ultimate gift and curse.

On one hand, you’ve shined so much in your pre-NBA career that a team believes you are the premier talent in your age group. You often arrive at a downtrodden franchise heading an effort to turn things around. Fans see you as a savior and a franchise pillar, the likes of Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, and most recently Cooper Flagg.

But, if you’re unable to live up that lofty status, the four-letter B-word seeps into the conversation. That word may hound you for the rest of your career — even if you grow into a helpful role player who sticks in the league for many years.

Ask any Hawks fan what they think of former number two overall pick Marvin Williams. They won’t point to five years as a starting small forward on Atlanta playoff teams in from 2008 to 2012. They won’t point to a body of work that includes a productive 15-year NBA career.

The conversation centers on what he wasn’t. He just wasn’t either of the two All-NBA point guards that followed him on draft day back in 2005.

Enter Zaccharie Risacher, number one overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

It’s obvious he’s not having the offensive breakout everyone hoped for after closing last year’s rookie season on an absolute tear. And most recently, he’s been benched in the starting lineup for CJ McCollum (starting with yesterday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets — but possibly for the foreseeable future).

Last season, after coming back from injury from January 30th until the postseason, Risacher scored 14.9 points in just 25.7 minutes per game while shooting 52% from the field and 42% from three. You could practically see the confidence grow with every shooting explosion. The tortured fanbase could finally feel justified in the organization nailing their bet on an unconventional pick in a down draft cycle.

This season is a different story. Both his scoring impact and efficiency are down from his rookie season, and it hasn’t been offset by improvements in other ‘little areas’ of basketball.

To be clear, this isn’t the end of his NBA career nor his time with the Atlanta Hawks. But it’s undeniable that his development hasn’t gone to plan.

So, that begs the next question:

What has gone wrong so far?

This season has been a different case from his rookie season, when most rightfully expected him to take some time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA game. Some of his biggest issues in my eyes in 2025-26 have been:

Not enough growth in his upper and/or core body strength

His numbers finishing at the rim and through contact most distinctly bear this out. Per databallr, Risacher is getting to the rim 9.2 times per 100 possessions, placing him in the 88th percentile in the league. But his rim finishing shooting percentage is 3.2% worse than league average.

Risacher’s passing vision is limited, and often it seems as if he predetermines when he’s going to try to get a shot at the rim regardless of the position of the defense. Jalen Johnson is in his direct line of view, but his attempt over/through two guys goes poorly:

“When we get in the lane and break the paint, having our eyes out and passing the ball out allows us to get more catch-and-shoot threes,” coach Quin Snyder had to say about his team’s process before the Nets game. “They’re obviously highly efficient shots. When we’re getting our shot blocked when going to the rim, it’s a pretty good indication that maybe there was an opportunity to get off the ball earlier.”

Or sometimes, he goes in expecting contact without the balance to finish if the expected contact doesn’t arrive:

Lack of a functional handle when faced with ball pressure

This was never a real draw to his game, though he’s at least shown he can handle the ball in the open court a bit. But in halfcourt settings especially, he has a tendency to fumble the ball at even the slightest bit of contact.

These possessions, like recently against the Minnesota Timberwolves below, are all too common. Jaden McDaniels is a premier on-ball defender in the NBA to be clear, but Risacher never looked like he had any shot to get past him to the rim here:

Shifting shot mechanics from shot to shot

In fairness, he hasn’t looked completely lost as a shooter or anything. For his NBA career, he’s shooting 36% on threes on 8.6 three-point attempts per 100 possessions. But he self-creates fewer than 5% of his three-point attempts and makes for his career and is quite clearly a streaky catch-and-shoot guy. In short, he needs a high-level creator to set him up for good looks (more on that later).

One big worry, however, is his oddly low free throw shooting percentage, a common leading indicator of true shooting talent, for example. Last season, he shot 71% from the free-throw line — just fine and no better. But this year, strangely, that number is all the way down to 60%.

I’m no biomechanics expert, but it seems to me that his shot is very upper body-dependent, and his pushy release doesn’t look particularly consistent. I think it’s something that can be ironed out with repetition, because otherwise inconsistent mechanics is something that could cap his overall shooting talent.

Not daring enough to play-make for others, movement shoot, or cut

There are a lot of ways to make yourself useful on offense without a high-level handle. You can read the floor and make quick passes upon receiving the ball. You can move and cut off the ball.

But after flashing these tools last season, Risacher hasn’t built upon this foundation.

The area I think he should tap into more is moving off ball around screens into catch-and-shoot opportunities. That’s simply a more dangerous play type than a standstill catch-and-shoot possession — you can threaten the defense into reacting to your movement even if you don’t touch the basketball.

It’s too much to ask him to be Kyle Korver or anything, but at his height and with his mobility, this should be more of a weapon in his arsenal.

His assist to turnover ratio is up from his 1:1 ratio last season, but I think he can continue to be more ambitious with his passing in coach Snyder’s ‘0.5 second’ system.

It’s a similar story with his cutting frequency. Per the NBA’s tracking numbers via Synergy, Risacher has been right at 8% of his possessions ending from a cut in each of his first two seasons. No growth from year 1 to year 2.

In short, the best way to optimize his offense is to be a jack of all trades. Someone multi-faceted — dangerous to a defense in a variety of ways.

His fit on offense was predicated upon having Trae Young as the focal point

Young is one of the best creators in the NBA. Young found Risacher often last season, and Risacher responded by shooting 38% from three when sharing the court with him (including a small sample this season). Trae Young is now in D.C., and while Jalen Johnson has assumed responsibility as the head of the offense, his ability to find Risacher can’t quite compare.

It’s possible that next season, they Hawks bring in another high-level playmaker to team with Johnson and Dyson Daniels — either via draft or free agency — and that acquisition could be a boon to Risacher’s offense. But in the meanwhile, he’ll need to find other ways to impact the game.

Risacher was never going to be a typical high draft pick. Almost all of those players historically have on-ball creation skills to build an offense around. Zaccharie’s skillset always lent himself to being a glue guy — someone whose offensive values comes from being set up by others, whether as a catch-and-shoot guy or off screening or off cutting.

There are also two angles to this conversation: the foresight angle and the hindsight angle.

Throughout the draft evaluation process, there was no real consensus in a draft class that was light on talent as compared to other drafts. We here at Peachtree Hoops still never felt as through Risacher was the guy even despite this, due to concerns with his low ceiling, rawness, and the opportunity cost to add a two-way center at a position of need.

Even in hindsight, though, things have clearly gone a good bit worse than envisioned. The trio of AlexSarr, Stephon Castle, and Donovan Clingan, for example, have flashed levels of productivity Risacher hasn’t (with Reed Sheppard, a.k.a. the Mahomesian prospect, in that conversation as well).

But that decision was made almost two years ago at this point. It is what it is.

So now what?

I’d be remiss to not mention that there are areas in which Risacher has shown clear improvement. His defensive impact is very apparent on a team lacking size at the small forward position. He’s a legitimate disrupter defending both on and off the ball, averaging more steals and blocks (2.8 ‘stocks’ per 100 possessions) than in his rookie season.

Risacher injects energy in the fight for rebounds (a big weakness on this squad). His assists per 100 possessions are up while his turnovers per 100 possessions are down. His +/- impact is there. I promise you, it hasn’t all been bad.

But when his offense is just barely functional to this point, that hangup remains an anchor on any other value that he provides.

I still believe he can be a very helpful and impactful role player, but it’s time to stop envisioning Risacher as a foundational player to the franchise.

Not only does he require a significant amount of continued development just to reach the point where he can be a starting wing on a competitive team, there has been nothing to suggest that his ceiling is any higher than that.

Additionally, a different front office head than the current one ultimately spearheaded that pick. The current general manager, Onsi Saleh, has less incentive to force a square peg into a round hole.

“[The starting lineup change] doesn’t reflect in any way my personal belief in Zacch,” coach Snyder had to say after the Nets win on Sunday. “It actually could be a positive for him to be in the game at a different stage. Different matchups with guys. I think that was the case [today]. He looks relaxed. He competed. Zacch’s about all the right stuff. His development is something that’s going to continue to happen whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.”

Again, I still think the 20-year-old still has a productive NBA career ahead of him, but in my opinion the Hawks should continue to develop him while also regarding him as no more than a rotational wing signed to a mid-value contract over the next two future seasons — that is, assuming his fourth-year team option is picked up.

The story of his career is still being written, and I would implore you to not write off someone who doesn’t even turn 21 for a couple of months. But it’s not too early to adjust expectations accordingly — a process both the franchise and the fanbase may have already kicked off.

It has been nearly a full year since Kyrie Irving has played in an NBA game. With his shutdown for the remainder of the year now official, he will not play his next game until at least 19 months post-ACL surgery. That is a lot of time. 19 months ago, the Mavericks were fresh off a run to the NBA Finals. Cooper Flagg was well away from playing his first game at Duke. There was a different president 19 months ago. All of this is to say, when Kyrie Irving suits up (hopefully) on opening night in October, he will not be the player he was against the Sacramento Kings on March 3 of last year. In fact, he may never be that player again. And to expect the Kyrie Irving of old would be misguided. 

Irving turns 34 on March 23. In the history of the NBA, there have only been three players who are Irving’s height (6’2”) or shorter to average more than 20 points per game at age 34 or older: Lenny Wilkins, Steph Curry, and Damian Lillard. All three guys are generational talents like Irving is, but none of them were coming off a major injury. In fact, Lillard sustained a major injury (torn achilles) after playing at that level and age for the entire year. When Irving went down, he was averaging almost 25 points a night in 36 minutes. To get back to that point, he would have to be the outlier that Curry is, who averaged over 29 points in his age-34 season. It just doesn’t happen, and the surgical aspect of the situation substantially reduces the likelihood of a return to form.

Recently, another guard who sustained a major injury last spring, Jaden Ivey, spoke with reporters about the impact of his leg surgery after his latest DNP:

Ivey, 24, was a former top-five pick. He averaged 17.1 points at Purdue his sophomore year and got his average up to 17.6 points per game in his third NBA season before sustaining a broken left leg in January 2025. Now, after starting just five games this season, he says his old self is “dead”. It was a somber reminder that real life is not NBA 2K, and these recoveries can take a serious mental toll on players. I am not saying that Irving feels the same way, but if major surgery can impact a guy as young and talented as Ivey, then no one is safe from the ramifications. Not only is history working against him, but the mental hurdle Irving has to overcome is massive, and it only grows as the time between on-court appearances increases.

Despite all of this, there is a little sun peeking through the clouds. Even though Ivey and Irving are small guards who rely on quickness and ball-handling to be effective, there are key differences between them. For one, they did not have the same surgeries. Ivey broke his fibula, which is a much less common injury than the ACL tear Irving sustained. What was once a death sentence, recovering from an ACL injury now feels pretty systematic. And aside from being the better player, Irving has the number one resource for recovering from surgery at his disposal. Klay Thompson missed nearly three full seasons of his prime due to two separate injuries that he sustained back-to-back. If anyone can get Irving to the place he needs to be, both mentally and physically, it is Thompson. So, although Irving will probably never be the player he was, there is reason to hope for it, as my fellow contributor Michael Harris detailed.

I personally do not think Irving will get back to that level. My expectation is very low for his production next season and beyond. I do not view him as a piece of Cooper Flagg’s future, nor a piece you should move mountains to keep. But I will happily take any and every moment above expectation he gives us. Now that Dallas is out of cap hell, Irving is a luxury the Mavericks can afford. He is a locker-room positive, has plentiful experience to pass on to Flagg and the Mavericks’ draft pick this season, and is a reminder of better times. If you expect to see the player we all saw a year ago, you will be disappointed. But if you expect nothing, Irving will have plenty of pleasant surprises. 

Since February 3, 2025, De’Aaron Fox has been a member of the San Antonio Spurs, before that, he spent the entirety of his career with the Sacramento Kings.

On Saturday night, the Spurs hosted the Kings in the second of their games taking place in Austin.

Before the game, Kings head coach Doug Christie was asked about the transition Fox has made in taking his game to South Texas. Christie served as an assistant to the Kings from 2021-2024 before taking the head coaching position in 2024.

“When he first came in he was all speed, everything was speed, speed, speed, and then he started to find his game. I think watching him [in Texas], he has so may different weapons and he’s an unselfish player, so that plays right into wheelhouse. His ability to use his speed to get downhill to create advantages….it just takes his game to a different level. There was a steady progression to his game. Watching him, defensively, being on a team like this with a rim protector and multiple guys on the perimeter who play defense allows him to gamble a little bit because of his quickness and his anticipation skills. I thought there was a steady climb in where he was going and what he was doing. He iss a three-point threat in the open court and in one-on-one situations.”

Fox has had to transition from being the leader of the Kings and face of a franchise to playing next to a generational player.

In fact, even as his role seems to diminish, his statistics have not. He is averaging almost three less shots per game and consequently two-points less per game. And he’s only shaved about a minute if playing time from his average. But overall, his rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, and personal fouls are right in alignment with his career averages from his time in Sacramento.

In other words, Fox hasn’t changed, his surroundings have. And having this leading man and supporting cast has elevated his team overall. Add in a certain level of health that has upheld the Spurs throughout this season, the second best schedule in the Western Conference does not seem as farfetched as it did only a few weeks ago.

Older Spurs fans might remember how David Robinson handed the baton to Tim Duncan, allowing Duncan to become the face of the franchise and focal point to the team’s offense. Robinson’s willingness and humility not only elevated Duncan at a healthy pace, it built the foundation for multiple title runs.

Although Fox came in after Victor Wembanyama was drafted, his humility and selflessness resonates with the Spurs culture. Mitch Johnson recognized it immediately.

“It’s been incredible to see…a twenty-eight-year-old All-Star in his prime that wants to sit next to the face of the franchise, who’s twenty-two and still figuring out as good as he is, and want to complement him and be enthusiastic about growing with him.”

Johnson went on to complement how Fox allows Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper to make their own mistakes as part of their growth. In moments where Fox could feasibly take over the game, he stays back so that the team as a whole can grow into the champions they hope to be.

“I really, really appreciate his willingness to try and grow with the group, even though he’s probably a little bit ahead in terms of just experiences.”

Fox, although not initially listed as a 2026 All-Star, Fox was chosen by Adam Silver as a replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo, an acknowledgement of the Spurs place in the standings not belonging to one singular player.

Fox also hit the game winner for USA Stripes in the All-Star competition.

On a court with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Donovan Mitchell, Fox was fed the ball and trusted by a team of all-time great players.

A vote of confidence at that level says it all.

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