Top overall pick in the NBA 2017 draft Markelle Fultz may have played in all four games for the Philadelphia 76ers averaging 19 minutes per game, but the rookie’s shooting has been below par. Fultz’s field shooting is currently at thirty-three percent.
Fultz’s free throw form has also been questioned by many in the league, but he blamed that on a shoulder injury, saying that he’s just trying to get through this current period of pain until he is back 100% per Uproxx.
Head coach Brett Brown has said that he’s concerned about the new shooting motion and feels something isn’t right, considering Fultz hasn’t attempted to shoot from 15 feet all season. Some suspect that Fultz is dealing with the yips, not a shoulder injury, and that is the reason the Sixers are continuing to put him on the floor despite this sudden change in mindset and physical form from their top pick.
However, Fultz and his agent insist it’s an injury, with his agent releasing a strong statement about how severe Fultz’s shoulder injury is after ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the rookie had fluid drained from his shoulder prior to the season.
“Markelle had a shoulder injury and fluid drained out of the back of his shoulder. He literally cannot raise up his arms to shoot the basketball. He decided to try and fight through the pain to help the team. He has a great attitude. We are committed to finding a solution to get Markelle back to 100 percent. …
“From a basketball perspective, it’s been encouraging to see that Markelle can get any shot he wants during the games, but he has been unable to shoot the ball.”
One would think that with the Sixers’ history in regards to injuries to key players such as Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, who only debuted this season after being drafted last year, that they would take more precaution with Fultz, who they consider a long-term foundational piece. Let’s hope that Sixers and Fultz take the right necessary steps and allow the rookie point guard to heal fully.