Markelle Fultz Updates Thread

[J-Mezzy]

He was amazing last game

Dj let him be aggressive at the end of the game instead of pounding the basketball.

Hopefully that is a sign of things to come

[Def Swami]

“There was a lot of uncertainty,” admitted Magic GM John Hammond. “To be honest, I don’t know if anyone was comfortable at that time. I don’t know if Markelle was comfortable. He was going through his rehab. We just wanted to help him in any way.”

Orlando’s approach to rebuilding Fultz, 21, was methodical. The rehab came first—it was mid-summer before Fultz started playing. From there it was one-on-one. Then three-on-three. Hammond recalls watching those early three-on-three’s and being wowed by the things Fultz could do. Magic assistant coach Steve Hetzel became attached to Fultz’s hip. They ran pick-and-roll drills to sharpen Fultz’s skills. They used blocking pads to get Fultz’s shoulder used to contact. Hetzel, Fultz said, would whack away at him. He would bump him going to the basket. He would bang him in the post. Slowly, Fultz grew comfortable playing through contact.

“You build confidence with that,” Fultz said. “That's like with any injury. When you first come out of a cast with your foot and you walk, the first time you walk you'll limp. But once you realize you're okay, you're good. So, I think the summer, integrating the three on three, and stuff like that, one-on-one, I think that got me ready for the season.”

Fultz offers a different challenge, a distressed asset in need of repair. Clifford loved Fultz’s game. “He’s a throwback player,” Clifford said. “He’s heady and wants to play for his teammates.” Fultz, Clifford said, could be hard on himself, could dwell too long on the negative. Early on, Clifford’s message was simple: You’re going to make mistakes. Play through them. You’re going to miss shots. Keep shooting them.

“The better he feels, the more confident he is,” Clifford said. “I watched a lot of his college games. This is a guy who shot [41%] in college. He’s used to quick dribble, move, pull. The shooting isn’t a confidence thing. It’s getting back to that point where is comfortable physically.”

And Fultz is getting there. He says he doesn’t think about his injury anymore. He tries to avoid heavy collisions on screens, but isn’t afraid of them. He runs into picks set by Khem Birch, Orlando’s backup center, in practice; earlier in the season he was nearly floored by Wendell Carter. He continues to rehab his shoulder with daily treatments, shoulder strengthening, massage, work that can take anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours. But he is no longer playing through pain.

“I stay on top of it,” Fultz said. “I want to make sure I don’t slip up. I don’t want to get comfortable just because I’m playing again. It’s something I’ll always keep an eye on because I know what can happen.”


Physically, Fultz says, he feels like a rookie. Mentally, though, he feels further along. “I'm three years in,” Fultz said. “I've learned a lot. I've seen a lot. You don't always have to learn by going through something. You can learn through somebody else's mistakes or somebody else's errors. That's what I've been learning from.”

For Fultz, just playing means everything. For two years he watched Lonzo Ball emerge as a capable starter and Jayson Tatum—the player effectively swapped for him before the draft—develop into a star. He insists he was happy for them. But he was also motivated by their success. He never lost faith in his talent. Orlando has given him the opportunity to showcase it.

“I’m still the No. 1 pick,” Fultz said. “That will never change. But I took care of the injury. I can play freely. I can do what I want. I can do what I love most. Every game I’m improving. Every game I’m feeling better. It helps when you see the ball going in. That just makes it even better.”

https://www.si.com/nba/2020/01/09/markelle-fultz-orlando-magic-revived-career?utm_medium=social&xid=socialflow_twitter_si&utm_campaign=sinow&utm_source=twitter.com

[rzzzzz]

Taking nothing away from the young man's remarkable determination, but a good developmental coach is worth his weight in gold.

[swarlesbarkley]

Fultz has elite individual talent but thinks team first all while having an amazing work ethic. Really nothing to dislike about the guy. Gonna go buy a Fultz jersey now.

[Skybox]

I love what he's doing and I'm a Vuc defender...not sure if those styles are bound to clash...Fultz can really cover ground and find shooters. Half court high post Vuc offense may be stifling to a baby Westbeast. Keep feeding Isaac those protein shakes!

[OrlandO]

They used blocking pads to get Fultz’s shoulder used to contact. Hetzel, Fultz said, would whack away at him. He would bump him going to the basket. He would bang him in the post. Slowly, Fultz grew comfortable playing through contact.

That's what Gordon needs...

[zaymon]

They used blocking pads to get Fultz’s shoulder used to contact. Hetzel, Fultz said, would whack away at him. He would bump him going to the basket. He would bang him in the post. Slowly, Fultz grew comfortable playing through contact.

That's what Gordon needs...

Why ? He cant get to the rim unlike Fultz.

[OrlandO]

That's what Gordon needs...

Why ? He cant get to the rim unlike Fultz.

He sometimes does get into the paint... just doesn't feel like it because he tends to throw up an ugly brick after getting bumped. It's obviously not natural to him and with how easily he panics in such situations I can't imagine he's done much to simulate it in training. With how much he attempts to drive he should be doing all he can to get comfortable with bumps and traffic.

[zaymon]

That's what Gordon needs...

Why ? He cant get to the rim unlike Fultz.

He sometimes does get into the paint... just doesn't feel like it because he tends to throw up an ugly brick after getting bumped. It's obviously not natural to him and with how easily he panics in such situations I can't imagine he's done much to simulate it in training. With how much he attempts to drive he should be doing all he can to get comfortable with bumps and traffic.

He just loses handle too often, thats why he started to post up, but thats not working either. Gordon dialed down his attempts lately

[king_kuffz]

He was amazing last game

Dj let him be aggressive at the end of the game instead of pounding the basketball.

Hopefully that is a sign of things to come

Boy were you right, I always knew he just needed minutes

[j-ragg]

Update:

Fultz is really good.

[cedric76]

He play so much better when dj isn't next to him

[J-Mezzy]

I wonder if Pepe still thinks he is not good lol

[craig01]

Update:

Fultz is really good.

Fultz has a a different gear than everyone else on the roster.

GREAT GAME!

[SOUL]

Saw a Philly hater tweet that Fultz was a -1 for the game

That was his actual criticism

[fendilim]

Saw a Philly hater tweet that Fultz was a -1 for the game

That was his actual criticism

it happens, last season some people criticized Vuc for being a +12 on the court against Philly, in a game that we loss by 1, where Vuc also got a triple double.

Fultz has been amazing so far, he's attacking the rim despite defenses sagging off him. I'm interested how he plays during playoffs though, where teams really focuses on players weaknesses more. Its nice to see him letting shots fly too though. Got to keep that confidence level up.

[pepe1991]

I wonder if Pepe still thinks he is not good lol

dude.
One game.
Chill.

If i wanted to rub in face how bad he is i would re-active thread when he combined for 2-17 against Hawks and Bucks.

You don't evaluate players based on one or even few games.

Every player has ups and downs and it's pointless to react to single games.

Markelle Fulz in numbers is 27 mpg starer who averages 11,7 ppg, 4,6 apg, on 46% FG, 26,5% for 3 and 74% FTs

in advanced stats that's 48% eFG and 51% TS.

On ESPN's RPM list he is ranked 30# among PGs.

You draw conclusions from it. I won't do it for you.

He had good game, good for him. Good for team. Up next, Clippers.

[J-Mezzy]

I wonder if Pepe still thinks he is not good lol

dude.
One game.
Chill.

If i wanted to rub in face how bad he is i would re-active thread when he combined for 2-17 against Hawks and Bucks.

You don't evaluate players based on one or even few games.

Every player has ups and downs and it's pointless to react to single games.

Markelle Fulz in numbers is 27 mpg starer who averages 11,7 ppg, 4,6 apg, on 46% FG, 26,5% for 3 and 74% FTs

in advanced stats that's 48% eFG and 51% TS.

On ESPN's RPM list he is ranked 30# among PGs.

You draw conclusions from it. I won't do it for you.

He had good game, good for him. Good for team. Up next, Clippers.

So your answer to my question is yes. You still think he is not a good player.

[pepe1991]

I wonder if Pepe still thinks he is not good lol

dude.
One game.
Chill.

If i wanted to rub in face how bad he is i would re-active thread when he combined for 2-17 against Hawks and Bucks.

You don't evaluate players based on one or even few games.

Every player has ups and downs and it's pointless to react to single games.

Markelle Fulz in numbers is 27 mpg starer who averages 11,7 ppg, 4,6 apg, on 46% FG, 26,5% for 3 and 74% FTs

in advanced stats that's 48% eFG and 51% TS.

On ESPN's RPM list he is ranked 30# among PGs.

You draw conclusions from it. I won't do it for you.

He had good game, good for him. Good for team. Up next, Clippers.

So your answer to my question is yes. You still think he is not a good player.

I think of him same i think about any other non shooting guard.
Not gonna cut it.

There is good reason why Westbrook, probably one of top 10 best athletes in history, one of two players in history who averaged triple double for a season and only nba player who averaged triple double for TWO seasons never won anything.
That reason is 30,4% three point shooting.

ofc other reason is decision making under pressure, but if he could make open shots he would be top 5- 10 player in history. But he can't. And that's why he can't even be top 5 player today.

[J-Mezzy]

dude.
One game.
Chill.

If i wanted to rub in face how bad he is i would re-active thread when he combined for 2-17 against Hawks and Bucks.

You don't evaluate players based on one or even few games.

Every player has ups and downs and it's pointless to react to single games.

Markelle Fulz in numbers is 27 mpg starer who averages 11,7 ppg, 4,6 apg, on 46% FG, 26,5% for 3 and 74% FTs

in advanced stats that's 48% eFG and 51% TS.

On ESPN's RPM list he is ranked 30# among PGs.

You draw conclusions from it. I won't do it for you.

He had good game, good for him. Good for team. Up next, Clippers.

So your answer to my question is yes. You still think he is not a good player.

I think of him same i think about any other non shooting guard.
Not gonna cut it.

There is good reason why Westbrook, probably one of top 10 best athletes in history, one of two players in history who averaged triple double for a season and only nba player who averaged triple double for TWO seasons never won anything.
That reason is 30,4% three point shooting.

ofc other reason is decision making under pressure, but if he could make open shots he would be top 5- 10 player in history. But he can't. And that's why he can't even be top 5 player today.

Understand

But you are judging Markelle on a standard of players that can lead you to a championship and at this point you are absolutely right

But neither would Vuc nor Evan and you seem to be less critical of them.

I think there is a world where we can like both crops of players (the skilled vets evan, vuc and the not so skilled athletes fultz, isaac)