Just what has gone wrong this season?The Swifts have undergone a remarkable transformation from champions to, well, losers.
Last season, Cox held the ANZ Championship trophy aloft and wiped tears of joy from her eyes.
There have been more tears for the team this year but they have been from despair.
The Sydney-based franchise has lost eight consecutive games but reached rock-bottom on Sunday with a 53-52 loss to the Central Pulse.
"You're right. It is the first question everybody asks and if only we knew the answer," she said from Sydney yesterday.
"If we had the answer we would have changed things in round three or four not at the end of the season. We just can't put our finger on what has gone wrong to be honest."
Despite the awful run, Cox believes the season has not been a "complete write-off".
"Although we haven't had the wins, we're certainly not down in the dumps because the games we've been losing have been by one and two."
The Swifts created some dubious history when they became the first team to lose to the Pulse.
The atmosphere in the dressing room was moribund after the defeat.
"Regardless of the team we played, it was extremely disheartening. We thought we were going to win that game. The only good thing to come of it was how thrilled they were. That was a touching moment for me because I know how tough it has been."
Cox said media reaction to their form slump had been muted.
"We don't get the media attention like New Zealand teams. It is a good thing when you've had a season like this but it's bad when you have a season like we did last year."
The Swifts desperately want to end the season on a high note of sorts with a win over the Steel in Invercargill on Saturday, and with spots up for grabs in the Australian side, there is still plenty to play for individually, Cox said.
Of course, a Swifts' win would greatly enhance the Queensland Firebirds' prospects of reaching the play-offs.
"What makes you think we want to help the Firebirds?" she said, laughing.
"There is a lot to refocus for. The girls still need to be playing well if they want to play for Australia and we'd love to stuff up other people's finals chances."
Then there are the supporters who have stuck with the Swifts.
"We had sell-out crowds for our last two games and they knew we weren't going to make the semifinals. They've been brilliant."
Cox believes Megan Dehn has made a positive impact for the Steel since linking up with the franchise after pregnant shooter Daneka Wipiiti pulled out two weeks ago.
"She has come in in such great form and is playing well, and the Steel have had a great win against Adelaide and will be really confident.
"It's going to be a big challenge for us. I think, at this point, we just need to enjoy what we are doing and not worry about too much else."
