De’Aaron Fox on the Kings’ ‘extremely competitive’ training camp
Oct 5, 2023, 8:21 AM
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
We are just three days away from Sacramento Kings preseason basketball, and things are beginning to heat up at the Golden 1 Center practice facility.
All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox met with the local media following Wednesday’s practice session to share how competitive training camp has been thus far, discuss Keegan Murray’s growth, and reflect on how this year’s camp compares to previous years.
Fox also gives his take on whether first-year forward Sasha Vezenkov should have to handle “rookie duties” during the upcoming season.
Does this year’s camp feel different with all of the returning players from last season’s roster?
“It doesn’t feel like a training camp where everybody is trying to understand each other and learn a whole new offense. Especially with our starting group, we come in and have the same guys. So, we’re basically just adding to the stuff that we already knew. What was considered a complex offense is probably a little more complex that it was last year, but I think guys are catching on quickly, and we already understand each other.”
Has this camp felt more competitive than previous years?
“It’s been extremely competitive, no matter who we put out there. I think, with our team as far as depth, especially offensively, I feel like we have that, so it’s been extremely challenging to get stops, but also because we’re working on new things, it kind of gets sloppy at times. But that’s what you expect going into the season.”
How much physicality does JaVale McGee bring to this team?
“It’s for sure already showing up. He’s a big guy standing at the rim, he’s such a shot-blocking presence. Even if you think he’s not going to block the shot, there are times where he gets to the ball and you’re looking like, ‘how the he** did he get that?’ He had a goal-tend today and it was crazy. And it was off a second jump. He jumped the first time, Sasha tried to get it over him, and he caught it. It was crazy. It was a goal tend, but it was crazy. His presence is definitely felt verbally and physically.”
Is Sasha Vezenkov going to be subject to ‘rookie duties’?
“No, no. It’s funny, like I said, ‘Bro, he’s 28. He’s been playing professional ball for 10 years already.’ So, no. He’s a rookie in the NBA, but he’s not a rookie to being professional. So, no, he doesn’t get rookie duties.”
More on Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox
De’Aaron Fox, the first-ever Clutch Player of the Year winner, ended the 2022-23 season as the NBA’s leader in clutch points (194), field goals made (72), field goal percentage (53%), paint points (88), and usage rate (43%).
Scoring in the fourth was seemingly effortless for Fox, who finished just four points shy of Kyrie Irving (551) for the most points scored in the fourth quarter this season.
Fox–who was also a first-time All-Star in 2022-23–finished the season with averages of 25.0 points, 4.2 rebounds (career-high), 6.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 51 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range.
Sacramento Kings 2023-24 Preseason Schedule
- Sunday, October 8th – Sacramento Kings @ Toronto Raptors – 5 PM PST (Preseason Opener)
- Wednesday, October 11th – Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7 PM PST (in Anaheim, CA)
- Sunday, October 15th – Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – 7 PM PST
- Wednesday, October 18th – Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – 7 PM PST
- Thursday, October 19th – Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz – 7 PM PST
Sacramento Kings 2023-24 Regular Season Schedule
- Tuesday, October 24th – NBA regular season begins
- Wednesday, October 25th – Sacramento Kings @ Utah Jazz – 6 PM (Season Opener)
- Friday, October 27th – Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – 7 PM (Home Opener)
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