In Philadelphia, videos of Markelle Fultz taking jumpers in practice surfacing on reporter’s iPhones are becoming the equivalent of TMZ trying to find a pic of a baby bump on Kylie Jenner. Even a free throw at the end of practice sends twitter ablaze with so-called medical experts trying to weigh in on what the issue could be. The enigma that is Markelle Fultz, the top player chosen in the 2017 draft, had new drama surface this week, as Philly’s episode of “Stranger Things” continues. Fultz has missed 43 games and counting with a shoulder injury, that some have questioned the validity of, since he was cleared to play at the beginning of December.
During the Sixers loss to Oklahoma City on Sunday evening, ESPN commentator Mark Jones, who was doing the play-by-play for ESPN, said Sixers Coach Brett Brown disclosed that Fultz has a mental barrier with his shooting. “Brett Brown was telling us prior to the game tonight, prior to tip, that he speaks with Fultz, he works with Fultz and there seems to be some psychosomatic issues involved with getting over the hump and getting back on the court,” Jones said. “Brown says he continues to improve and he would expect that he would play at some point this year.” Then color commentator Doris Burke jumped in. “I’m really worried about the young man,” Burke said. “19-years old. He clearly seems to be shaken where that jump shot is concerned. You just hope his confidence gets back where it needs to be.”
Brown has been very consistent that Fultz is recovering from soreness and scapular muscle imbalance, and that he’s continuing to work through it. After the game, Fultz heard about the alleged reference by his coach, and took to social media to say, “You really can’t trust NO ONE !!” Brown said he was misquoted, and was upset by comment. Jones apologized Monday via twitter, “Last night the word “psychosomatic” about Markelle Fultz was MY choice of words. NOT Coach Brown’s, I never said they were his. Fultz will conquer this. He has All-Star talent. Brown believes in Fultz and has a championship blueprint to guide him. @sixers.”
https://twitter.com/markjonesespn/status/958180010413740032
What does this all mean? Did Brown let his off camera honest opinion slip? Did Jones and Burke get overzealous? Did Jones’ “@sixers” at the end of his tweet mean he’s just satisfying the team with a half-hearted apology? We may never know. One thing we do know is that the Sixers need a guard who can create his own shot from mid-range, and step out and hit the 3-pointer. J.J. Redick, who has been out with a leg injury, is a spot-up shooter, as is Robert Covington. Fultz was supposed to add that extra element of three-level shooter to complete the team. Clearly, as Philadelphia has blown several double-digit leads this season, that would be helpful. Is it possible that the Sixers shut Fultz down and give him a redshirt year, like Embiid and Simmons had, and give him the summer to fix himself? Possibly. The trade deadline should be telling. There are players available that fit that need. Players like Lou Williams. If the Sixers pull the trigger on a player like that, they probably have internal concerns about Fultz. If they stay pat, then they probably believe he will come back sooner than later.
