Markelle Fultz Discussion III: For Fultz and going forward (see 2017 draft thread for trade discussion)

[Kobblehead]

Fultz switched to Diet Coke. Maybe Justin Anderson can get him to come around on seltzer water.

[Negrodamus]

The worst guard on the Sixers can swish open shots in practice with no one guarding. Fultz isnt going to play this year I feel. With no ability to shoot he doesnt deserve to be on the floor.

What about Simmons? Rondo? These guys don’t shoot threes and are very effective. I feel like it’s foolish to sit him all year because he’s struggling with one aspect of his game.

Simmons -6-10 245 lb beast who can pass, defend, rebound and drive to the basket at a very high level. He can affect the game without shooting.
Rondo--lightning quick lockdown defender who can also affect the game without shooting.

Fultz doesnt have the size or defensive ability yet. He probably isn't even drafted if he didn't show an ability to shoot from all ranges. And right now, he cant shoot. Its not just 3 pointers...HE. CANT. SHOOT...FROM ANYWHERE. He needs to sit out the year.
Maybe next year he comes back strong, if not Sixer fans may just have to deal with the reality that BC blew two prime assets for nothing.

My point is that being a knockdown shooter isn't a requisite to being productive from a guard. If Fultz can hit inside the arch and put pressure on the defense by beating his man, or running the PnR (which he was one of the best in the country last year at doing), then you let him play.

Here's a little surprise: Fultz's best attribute wasn't his ability to shoot. It was his ability to react to what the defense was giving him and make a great play. Our team desperately needs this now more than ever from our guards; not another shooter.

[gdog2004]

What about Simmons? Rondo? These guys don’t shoot threes and are very effective. I feel like it’s foolish to sit him all year because he’s struggling with one aspect of his game.

Simmons -6-10 245 lb beast who can pass, defend, rebound and drive to the basket at a very high level. He can affect the game without shooting.
Rondo--lightning quick lockdown defender who can also affect the game without shooting.

Fultz doesnt have the size or defensive ability yet. He probably isn't even drafted if he didn't show an ability to shoot from all ranges. And right now, he cant shoot. Its not just 3 pointers...HE. CANT. SHOOT...FROM ANYWHERE. He needs to sit out the year.
Maybe next year he comes back strong, if not Sixer fans may just have to deal with the reality that BC blew two prime assets for nothing.

My point is that being a knockdown shooter isn't a requisite to being productive from a guard. If Fultz can hit inside the arch and put pressure on the defense by beating his man, or running the PnR (which he was one of the best in the country last year at doing), then you let him play.

Here's a little surprise: Fultz's best attribute wasn't his ability to shoot. It was his ability to react to what the defense was giving him and make a great play. Our team desperately needs this now more than ever from our guards; not another shooter.

You have to be able to shoot a little. He is missing wide open 10 footers with no one covering him. He cant shoot at a high school level at this point. If he cant shoot the defense will give him NOTHING other than backing off him and clogging the lane. Fultz isnt even drafted the way he plays now.

[Negrodamus]

Simmons -6-10 245 lb beast who can pass, defend, rebound and drive to the basket at a very high level. He can affect the game without shooting.
Rondo--lightning quick lockdown defender who can also affect the game without shooting.

Fultz doesnt have the size or defensive ability yet. He probably isn't even drafted if he didn't show an ability to shoot from all ranges. And right now, he cant shoot. Its not just 3 pointers...HE. CANT. SHOOT...FROM ANYWHERE. He needs to sit out the year.
Maybe next year he comes back strong, if not Sixer fans may just have to deal with the reality that BC blew two prime assets for nothing.

My point is that being a knockdown shooter isn't a requisite to being productive from a guard. If Fultz can hit inside the arch and put pressure on the defense by beating his man, or running the PnR (which he was one of the best in the country last year at doing), then you let him play.

Here's a little surprise: Fultz's best attribute wasn't his ability to shoot. It was his ability to react to what the defense was giving him and make a great play. Our team desperately needs this now more than ever from our guards; not another shooter.

You have to be able to shoot a little. He is missing wide open 10 footers with no one covering him. He cant shoot at a high school level at this point. If he cant shoot the defense will give him NOTHING other than backing off him and clogging the lane. Fultz isnt even drafted the way he plays now.

But he doesn't have to shoot a little. If he can hit free throws, then it's not important for him to be shooting right now. It is also more important for his development to at least play 10-15 minutes a game to get a better feel on NBA in game flow.

I know a lot of posters here have given up on Fultz this year (and possibly beyond), but in terms of developing him, letting him sit for the rest of the year when he's healthy enough to contribute would be a disservice to his development.

[mithrandir17]

Simmons -6-10 245 lb beast who can pass, defend, rebound and drive to the basket at a very high level. He can affect the game without shooting.
Rondo--lightning quick lockdown defender who can also affect the game without shooting.

Fultz doesnt have the size or defensive ability yet. He probably isn't even drafted if he didn't show an ability to shoot from all ranges. And right now, he cant shoot. Its not just 3 pointers...HE. CANT. SHOOT...FROM ANYWHERE. He needs to sit out the year.
Maybe next year he comes back strong, if not Sixer fans may just have to deal with the reality that BC blew two prime assets for nothing.

My point is that being a knockdown shooter isn't a requisite to being productive from a guard. If Fultz can hit inside the arch and put pressure on the defense by beating his man, or running the PnR (which he was one of the best in the country last year at doing), then you let him play.

Here's a little surprise: Fultz's best attribute wasn't his ability to shoot. It was his ability to react to what the defense was giving him and make a great play. Our team desperately needs this now more than ever from our guards; not another shooter.

You have to be able to shoot a little. He is missing wide open 10 footers with no one covering him. He cant shoot at a high school level at this point. If he cant shoot the defense will give him NOTHING other than backing off him and clogging the lane. Fultz isnt even drafted the way he plays now.

Are we watching the same practice videos or not? Fultz is making his pull up jumpers inside the arc and also his FT shot looks fine.

[gdog2004]

My point is that being a knockdown shooter isn't a requisite to being productive from a guard. If Fultz can hit inside the arch and put pressure on the defense by beating his man, or running the PnR (which he was one of the best in the country last year at doing), then you let him play.

Here's a little surprise: Fultz's best attribute wasn't his ability to shoot. It was his ability to react to what the defense was giving him and make a great play. Our team desperately needs this now more than ever from our guards; not another shooter.

You have to be able to shoot a little. He is missing wide open 10 footers with no one covering him. He cant shoot at a high school level at this point. If he cant shoot the defense will give him NOTHING other than backing off him and clogging the lane. Fultz isnt even drafted the way he plays now.

Are we watching the same practice videos or not? Fultz is making his pull up jumpers inside the arc and also his FT shot looks fine.

He is missing shots left and right in those videos. I am sure if he were ready, they would play him. He's not ready to be an NBA player right now.

[phillthy13]

The worst guard on the Sixers can swish open shots in practice with no one guarding. Fultz isnt going to play this year I feel. With no ability to shoot he doesnt deserve to be on the floor.

What about Simmons? Rondo? These guys don’t shoot threes and are very effective. I feel like it’s foolish to sit him all year because he’s struggling with one aspect of his game.

Biggest aspect of his game IMO - BC traded for him because he was a scoring/shooting point guard team's die for. If we wanted a non-scoring/shooting point guard, we would've took Tatum at 3 and found that guy elsewhere.

[Negrodamus]

The worst guard on the Sixers can swish open shots in practice with no one guarding. Fultz isnt going to play this year I feel. With no ability to shoot he doesnt deserve to be on the floor.

What about Simmons? Rondo? These guys don’t shoot threes and are very effective. I feel like it’s foolish to sit him all year because he’s struggling with one aspect of his game.

Biggest aspect of his game IMO - BC traded for him because he was a scoring/shooting point guard team's die for. If we wanted a non-scoring/shooting point guard, we would've took Tatum at 3 and found that guy elsewhere.

Yea, without getting too much into this because it's not the thread for it, but I never thought of Fultz as a scoring guard (or a shooter for that matter), so I never understood the trade up. If we wanted a scorer, I agree, we should have drafted Tatum or Donovan Mitchell. Fultz was thrusted into a role of needing to score due to an anemic offense. The fact that he was able to score so much was a bonus. His passing and running the PnR is what made him a stellar prospect (along with his height, wingspan, intangible stuff).

[gdog2004]

My point is that being a knockdown shooter isn't a requisite to being productive from a guard. If Fultz can hit inside the arch and put pressure on the defense by beating his man, or running the PnR (which he was one of the best in the country last year at doing), then you let him play.

Here's a little surprise: Fultz's best attribute wasn't his ability to shoot. It was his ability to react to what the defense was giving him and make a great play. Our team desperately needs this now more than ever from our guards; not another shooter.

You have to be able to shoot a little. He is missing wide open 10 footers with no one covering him. He cant shoot at a high school level at this point. If he cant shoot the defense will give him NOTHING other than backing off him and clogging the lane. Fultz isnt even drafted the way he plays now.

Are we watching the same practice videos or not? Fultz is making his pull up jumpers inside the arc and also his FT shot looks fine.

He made like one of 3 of those inside the arc jumpers and even that wasn't clean. Then they switched to FT's and what did he shoot s 30% ? Really bad missed on those FT's too. If you think that is good...I cant help you. He shoots like that he is never going to play.

[Sixerscan]

You have to be able to shoot a little. He is missing wide open 10 footers with no one covering him. He cant shoot at a high school level at this point. If he cant shoot the defense will give him NOTHING other than backing off him and clogging the lane. Fultz isnt even drafted the way he plays now.

Are we watching the same practice videos or not? Fultz is making his pull up jumpers inside the arc and also his FT shot looks fine.

He made like one of 3 of those inside the arc jumpers and even that wasn't clean. Then they switched to FT's and what did he shoot s 30% ? Really bad missed on those FT's too. If you think that is good...I cant help you. He shoots like that he is never going to play.

Maybe they're not deciding whether he plays based on a minute long video shot with an iPhone camera 50 feet away

[gdog2004]

Are we watching the same practice videos or not? Fultz is making his pull up jumpers inside the arc and also his FT shot looks fine.

He made like one of 3 of those inside the arc jumpers and even that wasn't clean. Then they switched to FT's and what did he shoot s 30% ? Really bad missed on those FT's too. If you think that is good...I cant help you. He shoots like that he is never going to play.

Maybe they're not deciding whether he plays based on a minute long video shot with an iPhone camera 50 feet away

Your right, what's not captured on video may be even worse. Which is why he isn't playing. He's been deemed healthy for almost a month and hasn't suited up once. Once he learns to "shoot a basketball again" as his own coach says, then perhaps he can play.
It's a sad situation.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

He made like one of 3 of those inside the arc jumpers and even that wasn't clean. Then they switched to FT's and what did he shoot s 30% ? Really bad missed on those FT's too. If you think that is good...I cant help you. He shoots like that he is never going to play.

Maybe they're not deciding whether he plays based on a minute long video shot with an iPhone camera 50 feet away

Your right, what's not captured on video may be even worse. Which is why he isn't playing. He's been deemed healthy for almost a month and hasn't suited up once. Once he learns to "shoot a basketball again" as his own coach says, then perhaps he can play.
It's a sad situation.

You sound extremely angry about this Fultz situation. How would you rate your anger on a scale of 1-10? I for one am furious and would like my league pass money back. The real Markelle Fultz is missing. This guy that took his place is merely his doppelganger who he met over in Brazil. Very similar to the movie Bubba Ho-Tep where the real Elvis is still alive in a nursing home.

[JojoSlimbiid]

Fultz didn't make the trip to Memphis. That's interesting.

[LongLiveHinkie]

I have a feeling Fultz is close to returning

[Simmons25]

Quite honestly if 6 foot 1 T J McConnell could play the last few seasons with absolutely no jump shot (prior to this season) and get decent game time then there is no reason 6 foot 4 Markelle Fultz should be "red shirted". He seems to be able to hit short jumpers and still have the speed and skill to get to the rim... and still has length to be a very good defensive player.

[bryanwithawhy]

Quite honestly if 6 foot 1 T J McConnell could play the last few seasons with absolutely no jump shot (prior to this season) and get decent game time then there is no reason 6 foot 4 Markelle Fultz should be "red shirted". He seems to be able to hit short jumpers and still have the speed and skill to get to the rim... and still has length to be a very good defensive player.

He would be fine playing this year -- the concern isn't whether he would hurt the team -- it's whether playing this year with a jacked jumpshot will hurt his confidence for future seasons.

[Grits n Gravy]

Watch on YouTube

Just watched this and what I hadn't noticed that is pointed out in the video is Fultz's body language after every miss - dropping head, no energy or enthusiasm, seeming borderline embarrassed.

The whole situation is one of the more puzzling I can remember. I didn't see much of him in college but loved what I saw and didn't doubt much if anything about his physical tools or skill set. Surely you don't just forget how to shoot a basketball? He must still be injured or suffering from the effects of an injury which makes the fact that he is practicing in contact situations strange to say the least.

You guys should get a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion from doctors/specialists and go from there. If found nothing wrong physically then a LEGIT shooting coach and personal trainer as well as maybe a sports psychologist and just sit the rest of the season out.

[Kolkmania]

Watch on YouTube

Just watched this and what I hadn't noticed that is pointed out in the video is Fultz's body language after every miss - dropping head, no energy or enthusiasm, seeming borderline embarrassed.

The whole situation is one of the more puzzling I can remember. I didn't see much of him in college but loved what I saw and didn't doubt much if anything about his physical tools or skill set. Surely you don't just forget how to shoot a basketball? He must still be injured or suffering from the effects of an injury which makes the fact that he is practicing in contact situations strange to say the least.

You guys should get a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion from doctors/specialists and go from there. If found nothing wrong physically then a LEGIT shooting coach and personal trainer as well as maybe a sports psychologist and just sit the rest of the season out.

The body language thing is something that Fultz has had his entire life imo. Doesn't mean that he doesn't need to improve it eventually, especially if he wants to lead by example in the future, but I don't think it's related in this case.

However the video does point out a few things that frustrates us as fans.

1. We were under the assumption that Fultz shoulder was fully healed after month(s) of physiotherapy. However Brett Brown recently stated that he's still feeling some discomfort. If that's the case, why on earth is he allowed to shoot and create bad muscle memory?

2. How is Fultz even allowed to shoot like this? When you're this invested in a prospect you take every step to assure he regains his shooting confidence and fluidity he had before. If that means he doesn't play a single minute this year, I'm completely fine with that.
Everybody here acknowledges that this current motion will hinder him when/if he steps on the court, so why wouldn't the coaches interfere? So either they're happy with the progress he's making or they don't think it's important right now and they're focusing on the midrange stuff which does show some potential.

It's just the weirdest situation ever and a very, very bad look for the Sixers staff and organization imo.

[BigSleep333]

i dont give a **** about fultz' confidence no more. half of the season is over and he still isnt on the court because he however forgot how to shoot. **** that injury. there is no injury. BC needs to get fired for this huge waste of prime assets. throw fultz in there and let him prove himself...im way beyond frustrated

[LloydFree]

i dont give a **** about fultz' confidence no more. half of the season is over and he still isnt on the court because he however forgot how to shoot. **** that injury. there is no injury. BC needs to get fired for this huge waste of prime assets. throw fultz in there and let him prove himself...im way beyond frustrated

BC needs to be fired and there is no injury, but there is no frustration with Fultz or his progress, only anxiety about what BC will mess up next.