In the aftermath of the Game 4 loss, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson has been criticized for his in-game management, including a defensive alignment on the Knicks’ final possession in which Victor Wembanyama ended up on Jalen Brunson and no one guarded the inbounder. De’Aaron Fox has received blowback for trying a layup in the waning seconds of the game instead of forcing the Knicks to foul him, only for OG Anunoby to block the shot. And then there was the lack of a box-out on Anunoby, the unguarded inbounder, who delivered arguably the “most iconic shot in New York history.”
“It’s not like people have my phone number and can call me,” Fox said. “I don’t watch those shows. It doesn’t matter.”
Johnson said he doesn’t watch either. “I think I’ve been fired 212 times and we’ve traded Fox 72 times. We still have to show up and play tomorrow, and I’ve got to coach.
“The people that matter, we bond together, we stick together through the highs and lows,” Johnson said. “De’Aaron Fox will have the basketball in his hands at the end of the game tomorrow, and I have the utmost confidence he’s going to deliver like he’s done countless times for us.”
