I really don't know what to say about some of these posts. Are we really doing this, judging the long term on short term results? Really? The PG position is, in my opinion, the most difficult postion to play, and seldom does any player come into the league, one year out of highschool, and excel. There are exceptions, but they're few. As pointed out, Steve Nash didn't have his breakout year until his 5th year in the league at age 26, and that was after 4 years of college.
Our own Mike Bibby, who went to college for 2 years, and shot just under 39% from the three in college, shot only 20.3% his rookie year in the NBA. He averaged 35.2 mpg his rookie year and 13.2 ppg, while shooting 43% overall. He added 6.5 assists and 1.6 steals. He was better his 2nd year, but didn't become the Bibby we all love until his second year with the Kings, and his fifth year in the league. In his rookie year, Kyle Lowry averaged 5.6 ppg, while shooting 36.8% overall, and 37.5% from the three. He also averaged 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals. But while Lowry had a very respectable 3 pt percentage his rookie year, he shot 27% or under from the three for the next four years.
By and large, most players that come in and excel their first year at the PG position, have played more than one year of college basketball. As I said, there are exceptions, like Kyrie Irving, who didn't even play one full year of college, but got off to a running start as a rookie. Even Chris Paul, who had two years of college at Wake Forrest, only shot 28.2% from the three his rookie year. Everyone has their own idea of what the ideal PG looks like, and if the player, Fox in this case, doesn't fit into that little box, then he's no good.
I suggest we let Fox become whoever he's going to be, and see how that fits, because I believe that fit is extremely important. Fox is most comfortable when going at top speed. Unfortunately you can't rocket down the floor successfully every time. So you have to pick your spots. What Fox has to do, is figure out how to use his speed in the half court. I watch Bogdanovic, who doesn't have Fox's athleticism, easily weave his way though traffic to the basket for a layup. Thats something that Fox has to learn. But no one learns it in one season.
Contrary to what some have posted, I've been impressed with Fox's progression. His 3 pt shot looks entirely different from college. Much more fluid and relaxed looking. His free throw percentage is climbing. I think next season, the ref's will give him more calls on his drives to the basket. He's getting the rookie treatment right now. I don't agree with that, but it happens to almost every rookie. Defensively he needs to get stronger, and personally, I thought he was more successful defending the P&R when he went under the pick. Because of his quickness. But maybe the coaching staff wants him to fight through picks.
Don't know if this has been posted, but in Fox's last 24 games, the games he's been starting, he's averaging 13.7 ppg, while shooting 42.0% overall, and 37% from the three. He's also raised his free throw percentage up 79%. Add in 5.2 assists against 2.5 turnovers, plus 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Point is, he slowing improving. Give him a summer to get stronger and work on parts of his game, and I think we'll see an even more improved player to start next season. Rome wasn't built in a day folks.