J-Speaks: Sixers' Fultz Again On Shelf Because of Shoulder

Once again, the Philadelphia 76ers are having once again to deal with questions about the health of their No. 1 overall pick as he is on the shelf again because of another supposed upper body injury. 

One day after their 119-114 win versus the Phoenix Suns (4-15) on NBATV last Monday night, 76ers’ guard (14-8) Markelle Fultz will be out all of the team’s practices and games until his shoulder is evaluated by a non-team specialist, according to a report from “The Athletic’s” David Aldridge and Ian Begley of ESPN. 

The recommendation to see this specialist did not come from the team. It was from the direction of Fultz’s agent/attorney Raymond Brothers, which came as a shock to head coach Brett Brown, who played only seven minutes against the Suns last week and did not score, all though he did play 19 minutes and had six points and six boards off the bench in the team’s 122-119 overtime win two Saturdays ago at the Charlotte Hornets (9-10). 

Brown said to reporters the next day though that he played TJ McConnell ahead of Fultz against the Suns because he felt his team needed an instant spark after trailing 36-26 at the end of the opening period. 

“Red Flag type news,” he said. “I mean, played him 20-something minutes four days ago and I thought he played okay. In fact, I thought he did well.” 

“I think he’s having a good year. You know it’s one of those things last night the gym was flat. We needed some energy. I went with TJ [McConnell].” 

“If it’s that real, and he needs to go see a further sort of consultation, then we support him.” 

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported that Fultz was at practice the next day taking part in some light shooting with the Sixers even after Brothers’ said the 20-year-old was not going to take part in anymore team practices. 

So much so that Sixers general manager Elton Brand said that Fultz’s agent told him that the Monday after Thanksgiving was the earliest his client could see a specialist. 

“Raymond’s job is different from my job,” Brand said to the media last Tuesday. “Raymond’s job is to do the best that he thinks for his client. My job is to continue our positive trend to try to get deeper in the playoffs. So, at the end of the day we always support Markelle.”

It is no secret that Fultz has had injury issues with his shoulder in his first season plus in the NBA, which has resulted in him having issues with his ability to shoot. It is a big reason Fultz played just 14 games in his rookie season last year, where he shot below 50 percent from the charity stripe. 

He did say during training camp that his shoulder was better and after a summer of work with skills trainer Drew Hanlen was primed for a fresh sophomore season. 

Fultz began this season with 14 points and four assists in 23 minutes in the Sixers’ preseason opener versus Melbourne United. 

“Physically I feel great, and mentally I feel great,” Fultz said to NBATV after the win. “I put in a lot of hours this summer to get up reps or going through a whole bunch of different situations. So, coming in, I feel perfectly fine. I’m confident. I feel great coming in, and I’m just looking to building each and every day.” 

Even with that confidence, Fultz has continued to struggle offensively scoring an average of just 8.2 points, 3.7 boards, and 3.1 assists on 41.9 percent shooting in 19 games played, with 15 of them starts. 

Since the acquisition of four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 12, veteran sharp shooter JJ Redick has moved back into the starting lineup and Fultz has seen his playing time evaporate to a previously mentioned season-low of seven minutes versus the Suns a week ago. 

After the game though, Fultz took a positive approach to the reduction in minutes played saying of that his relationship with McConnell “is more than teammates.” 

“We both want to see each other do well, and we want to see the team win, so anytime one of us step on the court, we are probably rooting for each other more than most people. That’s how it is.” 

“You definitely want to go out there and compete…I’m a competitor. But, at the end of the day, coach made a decision to do that, so I have to live with it. My mindset is just, when I step on the court, go out there and play. But while TJ is out there, I’m rooting for him.” 

“It’s not like I’m sitting on the bench pouting or anything. I want to be out there, but I’m going to root for my teammates.” 

If the Sixers are going to solve this by trading Fultz, which his agent Brothers said to ESPN’s NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski last week about a story that came out in “The Athletic” about his client would “prefer a fresh start with a new team” no chance. 

That is especially the case after seeing his continuous shooting issues especially his funky form at the foul line in recent games. 

However, if they were going to pull the trigger and move a guy they have invested in, the only place comparable is the Atlanta Hawks. 

They are a team that is nowhere near being a playoff contender. They are all about player development led by a head coach in Lloyd Pierce who was on their coaching staff for the past five seasons before being hired by the Hawks in the off-season who got the job because of his ability to develop players. 

He would know Fultz’s defensive potential is and what his offensive potential could be. Fultz would not be under the media microscope and he would have a chance to develop alongside a dynamic guard in rookie Trae Young. 

The Sixers also have something the Sixers really need, a perimeter shooter who can also defend in Kent Bazemore. 

“I am not convinced that he will not be able to be an effective NBA player,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said on Monday’s edition of “NBA: The Jump” on ESPN about the future of Fultz. “Will he be able to deliver as a No. 1 pick though?” 

“And the burden of expectation I think maybe not just the media in Atlanta but the fanbase.” 

The Sixers fanbase has followed this saga like diehard soap opera fans follow a juicy plot line. 

No matter what happens with Fultz, he has to some how gets over this hurdle. If he has to seek another opinion to make sure he is okay from a physical stand point, he should take that step. 

More than anything though, he needs to get himself right from a mental stand point as well. 

The Sixers in that case have been nothing put accommodating to Fultz. Everyone from management to the coaching staff to his teammates has had his back through all of this from the start.  

Markelle Fultz was selected No. 1 overall for a reason. The Philadelphia 76ers thought he was the type of player that could really play great alongside the team’s two stars in 2018 Kia Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons and All-Star center Joel Embiid. 

That said, the Sixers timeline to be great got accelerated by their 16-game winning streak to close the season, where they finished 52-30 and were the No. 3 Seed in the East. They defeated the No. 6 Seeded Miami Heat in five games in the opening round of the postseason to win their first playoff series since 2012.  

What the Sixers decide to do with Fultz and how he can regain his confidence on the hardwood will ultimately decide what his future holds. 

As far his latest so-called leave of absence to fix whatever physically is ailing him, he should take as much time as he can to get right but he also has to get himself right mentally because he can practice all the shots he wants to on his own in the gym. If he has no confidence in himself mentally it is all for nothing what he does behind close doors. 

J.E. Skeets of NBATV’s “The Starters” asked to his colleague Leigh Ellis how long Fultz should be shelved to correct his supposed physical and likely mental issues? 

Ellis answered, “As long as it takes. Why bring him if he’s going to keep on shooting bobbling the ball at the free throw line?” 

“I think stay away from the game or practice privately. Do whatever you need to do away from the game.” 

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of 11/26/18 3 p.m. edition of “NBA: The Jump” on ESPN with Rachel Nichols, Kevin Arnovitz, and Davie McMenamin; 11/20/18 3 p.m. edition of “NBA: The Jump” on ESPN with Jorge Sedano, Amin Elhassan, Paul Pierce, Rachel Nichols, and Richard Jefferson; 11/20/18 6 p.m. edition of NBATV’s “The Starters” with Tas Melas, J.E. Skeets, Leigh Ellis, and Trey Kerby; 11/20/18 6:30 p.m. edition of NBATV’s “10 Before Tip,” presented by Ford with Jared Greenberg; 11/21/18 www.nba.com story “Reports: Markelle Fultz To Visit Shoulder Specialist ‘at Direction of his Attorney;” 11/22/18 www.nba.com story, “Fultz’s Agent Says No Trade Request Made to Sixers;” www.espn.com/nba/standings; and www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameid=401070923.