De'Aaron Fox is under contract for at least five seasons, and that's fantastic news for the Spurs for several reasons, but the one that we're focusing on today is how his ability to get into the paint benefits Victor Wembanyama. Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine broke it down during a recent podcast episode for Yahoo! Sports.
Fox averaged 15.2 drives per game last season (8th in the league) and has attacked for 15-plus each night over the last six seasons. No Spur has produced more than 10 in the Wemby era, Devine pointed out. That's significant because of what consistent rim pressure does to defenses.
It forces help defense to come, when help comes, players have to rotate, and there are opportunities for mismatches, mistakes, and it gives you a better chance at finding open players. We've seen this for years in the NBA. As good as a big man is, things are always that much easier for them when they have a guard who can put defenses in conflict.
Scoring guard/center duos are very impactful in the NBA
This is the exact reason why Luka Doncic always demands a lob threat wherever he plays. He knows that he's dynamic enough to draw extra defenders, and the easiest outlet for the most efficient basket is a lob to a center who can finish at the rim. The shooters around him allow the space for penetration, but if your big man is inept, it still doesn't work as well.
The Mavericks gave Luka, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and PJ Washington, and the next thing you know, they were in the NBA Finals. That's not a coincidence. (Then they traded him HA.) He's gotten himself in shape, but unless the Lakers get him another big man he can rely on who's not named Jaxson Hayes, he'll struggle to have the same success. It remains to be seen if Deandre Ayton will work out. I'm skeptical.
Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are another example of this dynamic. The Joker is the hub in this scenario, but he can't do it all. He can bring the ball up the floor and initiate the offense like Wemby, but it's still a pain to do for an entire game. It's much simpler if you have a guard to play off. We saw that when Murray missed time. They were a completely different team without him.
Vic is going to spend plenty of time getting the offense going, but other times, Fox will be the engine making things go. The result will be collapsing defenses, allowing Wemby to move around more freely to find the spots he wants the ball to dominate. It all works in tandem, and the advantage it will give the offense with a player as special as the Alien is massive.
His dynamic driving ability adds pressure in another area, releasing it from Wemby. Good big men are always better with good point guard play. Give examples like Jamal Murray/Jokic