De’Aaron Fox is playing like an All-Star this season. We have all seen the stats come flooding in: He is in the 100th percentile in the entire NBA in both field goal percentage at the rim (85%) and short midrange (58%). He is in the 94th percentile in all mid-range (54%), according to Cleaning The Glass. He is averaging 25.4 points, 6.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and shooting 84% from the free throw line.
And on top of that he has been completely clutch this season.
A lot has changed around the Kentucky product this season, including the additions of Mike Brown and his system, Domantas Sabonis and a slew of new shooters, but they shouldn’t get all the credit for Fox’s improvements. He clearly put in the work in the offseason and has taken on the challenge of leading this team.
One of the things he is doing differently is using more of the full floor on the offensive end. Being a left-hander, Fox has traditionally stuck to the left side of the floor. Now, he is spreading the floor and punishing opponents on the right and left sides.
Take a look at his shot chart this season from Cleaning The Glass, which shows a pretty even offensive attack in terms attempts. And considering Fox is in the 94th percentile from midrange, most of these shots are dropping.
Now, let’s compare this shot chart to the previous 5 seasons.
2021-22
2020-21
2019-20
2018-19
2017-18
As you can see, Fox traditionally focused more on the paint, left elbow and back out to the left side of the three-point arc to get his buckets. There is a lot more yellow on the right side of the floor this season, particularly at the right elbow and back out through the right side of the three-point line.
Let’s take a look at some of his work on that side of the floor this season.
The shot looks smooth and he looks comfortable going to his right.
Favoring the left side of the court in the past probably made scouting him easier because opponents could focus on keeping him out of the paint and off the left side of the elbow through the three-point arc in order to limit him. But now, opponents have to watch out for him all over the floor.
Off The Ball
It is likely that the team’s spacing and passing through Sabonis has unlocked all this for Fox as he is scoring more off the ball thanks to the big man’s talent. Fox’s assisted rate on threes made is 80%, meaning 80% of his made threes came off assists from his teammates, according to Cleaning The Glass. This is by far the highest of his career (second is 62% in 2017-18). And all of his made shots this season are coming off assists 31% of the time, which also is the highest of his career.
Mike Brown has largely been running the offense through Sabonis, which makes sense given he is such an effective passer at the center position. This is the first time other than the brief experiment with Tyrese Haliburton that Fox has mainly played off the ball.
Fox’s aggressiveness is showing up in some key categories also. His defensive rebounding, or the percentage of opponents missed shots he is rebounding, is 14.2%, the highest it has ever been.
Fox began this season how everyone hoped he would: aggressive from the start and putting effort in on the defensive side of the ball. He clearly worked hard in the offseason and is gelling well with the new coaching staff. The hope, or course, is that he continues this throughout the whole season.
Another excellent breakdown for the rest of us, thank you!
I’m not so sure we can’t rule out married life as having a positive effect on Fox, both on and off the court. It simplifies things in a lot of ways (if you get the right partner). Recee seems like an amazing person, and I’m happy for them.
Kits soon?
I think you can.
Keep Greg W. away from their marriage!
Is he going to be selling some sort of kits instead of NFT’s this year?
Trying to dance sims. You out did yourself with that one after your boo rant.
Kits = baby foxes
Exactly. Was screwing with you. You didn’t explode and insult everyone.
You didn’t go on one of your typical tirades and go baby mode with name calling.
Maybe it is your new sensitive side that is becoming clear?
thank you
Nice! Good on him for practicing from the right side and good on the coaching staff to have him spread out his shots.
De’Aaron Fox has been more than alright and I hope he remains that way with what’s left of the season.
Fox doesn’t make an imprint
sincerely,
Itinthestarz
Great article Blake. Thanks.
Fox is the Western Conference Player of The Week. Great article and analysis. Thank you.
Sabonis might favor passing to that side?
For me, it’s just been how easy it’s looked for him in general. That Lakers game. Prime example being that mid range dagger at the end. Finishing at the rim with either hand effortlessly. Just really stepping up, as seen in the shot chart.
Plus good defense!
That last turnaround he dropped was incredibly difficult, and he just gracefully pulled it off. You’re right, that was the death blow, Jerry.
What about Fox’s second jump? Oh never mind
I have to admit I was expecting another slow start to the year from Fox, just because that’s what I had come to expect. And during the offseason I was even questioning if we traded the right guy with Hali. So glad to see that the team’s patience and belief in Fox paid off. This is exactly they guy I was hoping he’d develop into when watching him at Kentucky and am loving every bit of it.
Credit where credit is due — 1) Coach Brown undoubtedly has a lot to do with Fox’s play this your and 2) Fox getting his body right – looking so much better without the added muscle from last year
Badge Legend