Fox: I thought, 'Shit, we got to win' after Kings unveiled victory beam
Sacramento Kings star guard De'Aaron Fox says the team's new "light the beam" celebration gave him added motivation to win this season.
Fox told ESPN's Marc J. Spears that when the victory beam was unveiled, he worried it would turn the Kings into laughingstocks if they continued their losing ways.
"Whenever it was announced, I was like, 'Well, shit, we got to win, or this would be a bad meme after every loss if we're not winning,'" Fox said. "I didn't want to be made fun of."
The beam, which was introduced during Sacramento's "916 Day" celebration in September, is powered by six purple laser cannons that illuminate the sky above Golden 1 Center after each win. It was inspired by the Los Angeles Angels' "Big A" sign, whose halo lights up following every Angels victory.
.@vivek and @swipathefox light the first beam of the playoffs 🔦🟣 @raleys | #FeelTheRoar pic.twitter.com/9mxq1Pbfu3
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 16, 2023
Fox helped to light the beam for the first time in the playoffs after the Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors 126-123 in Game 1 of their first-round series. Game 2 will take place at Golden 1 Center on Monday night.