NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Markelle Fultz walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. (Image: Getty)
Markelle Fultz has a problem. We already know this, as he missed most of his rookie season with a mysterious “shoulder injury.” He even worked with trainer Drew Hanlen all summer to rebuild the shot that made him the No. 1 overall pick. Three weeks after the two stopped talking, Fultz took this shot, however.
After getting fouled on a drive by Justise Winslow, Fultz was sent to the line for two shots. He swished the first one. The second might not have even been a shot. He double-clutched it.
After the game, Fultz said, “it happens.”
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
“The ball slipped out of my hand, so I had to do what I had to do,” Fultz added. “I had to do what I had to do, but I’m not really worried about it. I have to work on my game. The ball just happened to slip, that’s what happened.”
30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW
Fultz was out of the game in the second half, replaced with a rookie picked 25 spots below him. When he was on the court, Philidelphia was outscored by seven points in 25 minutes. When he was off it, Philly outscored Miami by 17.
The 76ers are simply a better team without Fultz. And that’s before adding Jimmy Butler into the mix. It’s hard to believe Fultz isn’t worried. He hasn’t attempted a three-point shot in his last seven games. Besides that, his free-throw percentage dropped to 57%. Dwight Howard, the guy who teams would foul rather than have him shoot, has a career free-throw average of 56.7%.
Sam Hinkie‘s process is officially over with Robert Covington and Dario Saric being shipped out. Philidelphia won’t wait for Fultz to rebuild himself. Butler will demolish him, just like he did with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad player. When he’s on the court without Ben Simmons, Fultz averages 5 more points, 2 more assists, and shoots 5% better. On threes, he shoots 26% better. He’s not a bad player, he’s no Jahlil Okafor. But he doesn’t work for the Sixers and they’re most likely moving Fultz. The only question is if his yips will tag along.
The Kansas City Chiefs were left with one major decision before completing their 53-man roster…
After finishing the 2024 season with a 9–4 record, expectations were high for the Crimson…
Aaron Donald is returning to the NFL post-retirement. He is returning to the Rams for…
After one of the most decorated careers in sports, Lionel Messi has called it quits…
The Miami Dolphins cut quarterback Mark Gronowski over the weekend in a series of changes…
The Big Ten has passed a rule that will stop players from returning from the…