The Markelle Fultz Fiasco Is the Sixers’ Own Doing

by **bobheckler** Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:37 am

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2017/10/25/16542912/markelle-fultz-sixers-shoulder-medical

The Markelle Fultz Fiasco Is the Sixers’ Own Doing

The no. 1 overall pick has been piled on for his recent shooting and shoulder issues, but the organization’s handling of its prized rookie and his current situation deserves a harder look

BY KEVIN O'CONNOR OCT 25, 2017, 10:00AM EDT

The Markelle Fultz Fiasco Is the Sixers’ Own Doing Fultz_sixers_getty_ringer.0

Getty Images/Ringer illustration

Markelle Fultz has become an easy target. The no. 1 pick shoots like Shaq. He has air-balled free throws. He hasn’t attempted any 3s. He has missed 13 of 16 shots taken outside of the restricted area. There’s no denying that the Sixers’ rookie point guard has been an eyesore. But the barbs all feel misdirected. The Philadelphia 76ers organization should take the brunt of the blow, not a teenager.

Fultz received a cortisone shot in his right shoulder on October 5 to relieve pain and inflammation, according to ESPN. Fultz told me on October 9 that the injury motivated him to change his shooting mechanics.

If the injury is serious enough to cause Fultz to change his freaking shooting form and get a cortisone shot, why is he even playing? We don’t have an answer because there’s still so much that we don’t know, such as how Fultz sustained the injury, what the injury even is, or when he’ll be fully recovered. Time and time again, the Sixers have mismanaged the injuries of their players—or, at best, bungled the public relations around them.

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Markelle Fultz Apparently Did Not Have His Shoulder Drained ( ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

For instance, injury timelines have been all over the place. Michael Carter-Williams underwent surgery on his labrum in May 2014, and by the start of the 2014-15 season in October the team still hadn’t set a timeline for his return. Ben Simmons had foot surgery in 2016, but the team refused to set a timeline at all. The Sixers said in March 2016 that Jahlil Okafor’s knee injury was supposed to be a six-week recovery, but he was still experiencing discomfort nearly one year later.

Philadelphia has even (allegedly) misdiagnosed injuries. Kwame Brown claimed the Sixers misdiagnosed the injury that ended his career, saying he had a mild hamstring injury when it was actually an “avulsion fracture.”

There’s no better example of their mishandling than Joel Embiid, who suffered a left knee contusion on January 20 last season. GM Bryan Colangelo “guessed” it was a bone bruise on January 22. Then, on January 27, Embiid “had to convince” the Sixers medical staff to let him play against the Rockets. It was Embiid’s final game of the season. Weeks later, on February 11, Colangelo admitted the MRI that took place after the initial injury on January 20 revealed not only a bone bruise, but a “very minor meniscal tear.” It wasn’t until March that the Sixers announced Embiid would undergo meniscus surgery.

In other words, the Sixers allowed Embiid to play with a bone bruise and a meniscal tear, with full knowledge of the injuries. Now Fultz has played in six games this October (including two preseason games) with a shoulder injury that is severely limiting his play, which has led to increased scrutiny from fans and media.

Colangelo said in April that the team had worked on its transparency and would continue to. Um, sure. Colangelo has been silent regarding this fiasco going back to September 27, during a training camp scrimmage when we first saw Fultz shooting free throws like Charles Barkley swings a golf club. We’ve heard from only Brett Brown, who, as head coach, is tasked with facing the media on a daily basis. In late September, Brown said Fultz “made some personal adjustments” with his trainer, and the team would look to “recalibrate and get it back.” Then on October 10, Brown admitted Fultz’s shoulder “is affecting him more than he lets on.”

I’ve heard different theories this month that Fultz’s issues are more mental than physical. Even if Fultz isn’t at risk of damaging his shoulder any further, why not allow him the time to heal completely? How is it that the Sixers exercised so much patience with Simmons last season and don’t allow Embiid to play in back-to-backs, yet they play Fultz even though he’s hurting? Given the pressures of today’s league, and the heavy expectations placed on a no. 1 pick, you’d think they’d be more cautious about throwing him into the fire, which has worked to only magnify any concerns.

The Sixers need to pour every resource possible into putting Fultz into the best position to succeed. Take away his Chick-fil-A. Make sure his shoulder is healthy. Fix his shooting form rather than expose and embarrass him in front of the masses. The team invested a lot in Fultz by trading up with the no. 3 pick and a protected Lakers first-rounder in 2018, which would turn into a top-one-protected Kings first in 2019 if it doesn’t convey, so why aren’t they operating like he’s a prized possession?

Sometimes, a top-ranked player doesn’t pan out. Take Anthony Bennett, who went no. 1 overall in 2013. A league source told me earlier this year that Bennett has one of the worst work ethics they’ve ever encountered. Ex-Cavaliers general manager David Griffin recently owned up to the mistake of drafting Bennett, taking the blame out of the hands of then-GM Chris Grant. “I’m the one who got sold the bill of goods and I bought it hook, line, and sinker,” said Griffin, then the VP of basketball ops. “You fuck up sometimes.”
But the environment in which a player is fostered also matters. An NBA executive told me he thinks most of the “busts” in league history are actually the fault of the team or the situation, not the player. Either the team fails to provide the necessary resources for the player to succeed, or the situation itself just leads to an unfortunate result.

Fultz could be a lemon, but he’s no Bennett. All indications are that Fultz is a good kid, a hard worker, and he wants to be successful. We’re only four games into his NBA career. I’m not panicking. Neither should you. He was the consensus no. 1 prospect for good reason. But those factors don’t guarantee he’ll achieve his full potential. So far, the Philadelphia 76ers have failed Markelle Fultz.

bob
MY NOTE: I think it's too early do declare Fultz a bust or even a true disappointment, we aren't even 5 games into his first season, but wow! what a weak start. Based upon early reviews Danny pulled off a coup because, even if Fultz comes around and starts performing like everybody thought he would pre-draft, Tatum is already looking like the real deal and Danny got a 1st round pick in that trade too. If Tatum = Fultz, even if/after Fultz rights his ship and starts playing up to potential, we got a nice first rounder out of it.

It is interesting that the Sixers have had Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz all have injuries early in their career. I don't know if that's a reflection of their training regimen or what, but at what point does it stop being coincidental? Ben Simmons was the #1 pick, so they didn't snap him up because he fell to them (like the way Sully fell from a top 10 pick to 21 because of his back). Embiid was a #3 pick, so he didn't fall very far neither (he could be the #1 most transcendental player of his era IF he can stay on the court). Fultz, of course, went #1 (and considering Danny and Brad had decided on Tatum and Magic was enthralled with Ball he probably would have dropped to #3 anyway).

Why can't Sixer fans have pretty things too? LOL.

.

by **wideclyde** Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:44 am

The 'ers may be suffering from the "Curse of the Tank"?

by **KyleCleric** Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:55 am

Sixers being foolish. Put him in the best opportunity to succeed and let him heal. You have Simmons, Bayless and McConnell so you weather some time without him, be smart.

by **k_j_88** Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:09 pm

Nerlens Noel was injured early in his career as a sixer, too. Not sure if it matters, though.

KJ

by **bobheckler** Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:13 pm

k_j_88 wrote:Nerlens Noel was injured early in his career as a sixer, too. Not sure if it matters, though.

KJ

KJ,

Wasn't Noel injured already when he was traded by NOP to the Sixers in the Jrue Holliday trade?

bob

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by **dboss** Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:30 pm

bobheckler wrote:
k_j_88 wrote:Nerlens Noel was injured early in his career as a sixer, too. Not sure if it matters, though.

KJ
KJ,

Wasn't Noel injured already when he was traded by NOP to the Sixers in the Jrue Holliday trade?

bob

yes he already had the bad knee when he was drafted

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by **dboss** Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:38 pm

I think that Fultz shoulder is the issue with his shooting. The Sixers need to sit him until he is ready to play. Right now it sounds as though they are managing pain by shooting him up.

He never shot free throws well which was a flaw but his current shooting form reflects an issue with the shoulder.

Even if he was playing great ball right now, the move by Danny to trade down for Tatum and add another 1st rounder (potential lottery pick) was genius.

The Sixers appear to be plagued. They tanked their way to getting these high end picks.

dboss

by **red16russ11** Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:52 pm

I knew something was up with Fultz when Danny was saying he'd trade the pick, like an hour after they got it.

by **k_j_88** Wed Oct 25, 2017 4:39 pm

The Sixers coach is an asshole for not sitting Fultz sooner. "It's not affecting other parts of his game. "
I could never, ever see Brad doing that.

KJ

by **mrkleen09** Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:11 pm

I have mentioned this for years and years. Too many high profile injuries with Sixers players for it to be all bad luck. Their training and strength and conditioning people have to share SOME of the blame for all of this.

by **steve3344** Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:10 am

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/colangelo-explains-why-fultz-played-174302540.html

by **mrkleen09** Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:09 pm

Two quotes sum it up

"Nothing's wrong with Markelle Fultz," Colangelo said.

"I don't think a cortisone shot treating a shoulder that we reported as sore is necessarily cause for a (press) release or cause for an announcement," Colangelo said, adding, "I think we've been pretty transparent."

So wait Bryan, you dont get cortisone shots unless you have a medical issue, so THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG with Markelle Fultz.

by **worcester** Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:27 pm

Cortisone shots into a 19 year old's shoulder are a bad idea. Rest and other anti-inflammatory approaches are far better than injecting a substance that in time will erode bone. Sure glad I am not a Sixer fan.

by **cowens/oldschool** Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:29 pm

What a focking joke that franchises management is.....if I was anyone on that roster I would leave in a heartbeat!!

by **bobheckler** Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:41 pm

cowens/oldschool wrote:What a focking joke that franchises management is.....if I was anyone on that roster I would leave in a heartbeat!!

Cow,

JJ Redick is making $23M this year. The only way he'd leave is in a hearse.

bob

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by **worcester** Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:44 pm

A gold plated hearse.

by **k_j_88** Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:07 pm

Philly will implode before their talent materializes into anything significant. I think "the process" will be a waste.

KJ

by **gyso** Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:25 pm

k_j_88 wrote:Philly will implode before their talent materializes into anything significant. I think "the process" will be a waste.

KJ

I agree. "The Process" is a epic fail on the Sixers part because they cannot get the players they pick on the floor together.

I know that Smart is currently out with an ankle sprain, but it is not a season ending injury. In the last three years, we have picked 6, 3 and 3. All three picks (throw in Rozier too) are contributing to our success. That, and we didn't have to tank to do it.

gyso

by **bobheckler** Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:35 pm

worcester wrote:A gold plated hearse.

Worcester,

Would that make Brian Colangelo a gold-plated hearse's ass?

bob

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by **mrkleen09** Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:09 am

^^^BOOM.

Well said Bob. Keeping up Sam's legacy of one liners Smile

by **worcester** Fri Oct 27, 2017 1:58 pm

Rim shot, Bob.

by **Shamrock1000** Sat Oct 28, 2017 9:00 am

Danny is indeed looking like a genius. Tatum is just so smooth. Makes the game look effortless. However, Fultz is not the only player Danny passed on to draft Jayson. He could have drafted Lonzo. I am glad he didn't. Not because I hate him or his father, but rather I prefer a style where everyone passes to one where a gifted point guard holds the ball until he finds the open man (sorry Rondo and Chris Paul)

by **bobheckler** Sun Oct 29, 2017 5:09 pm

76ers' Markelle Fultz out indefinitely with 'muscle imbalance' in shoulder

USA TODAY SPORTS
Updated 23 minutes ago

The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Sunday that No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz is "out indefinitely with soreness and scapular muscle imbalance in his right shoulder."

The 76ers consulted several specialists and found no structural damage in Fultz's shoulder. Fultz will continue with physiotherapy treatment and be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks.

Fultz played in the first four games this season and struggled significantly from the field (33%) and free throw line (50%).

Last week the team announced he would miss three games, partially blaming the injury on a tweaked shooting form.

“We spent some time with him throughout the summer, but sometime during the month of August, I think, he might have worked on his shot a little bit – could even be the cause of the irritation and inflammation in the shoulder,” GM Bryan Colangelo said of Fultz.

However, Fultz’s longtime trainer and mentor, Keith Williams, told USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick that Fultz began tweaking his shooting form as a result of the pain he felt in his shoulder as opposed to the other way around.

“The shot was never changed (before the shoulder pain),” Williams – who trained the New Orleans Pelicans’ DeMarcus Cousins in his college and early pro years, among other NBA clients – said by phone. “He’s a great shooting point guard. There haven’t been many point guards who shot the ball as well as him coming out of college, off the dribble and off the catch. I never changed the shot. Why would I?”

Regardless of the order, Fultz's shoulder saga has devolved into a frustrating start to his NBA career.

bob

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by **Shamrock1000** Sun Oct 29, 2017 5:34 pm

bobheckler wrote:76ers' Markelle Fultz out indefinitely with 'muscle imbalance' in shoulder

USA TODAY SPORTS
Updated 23 minutes ago

The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Sunday that No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz is "out indefinitely with soreness and scapular muscle imbalance in his right shoulder."

The 76ers consulted several specialists and found no structural damage in Fultz's shoulder. Fultz will continue with physiotherapy treatment and be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks.

Fultz played in the first four games this season and struggled significantly from the field (33%) and free throw line (50%).

Last week the team announced he would miss three games, partially blaming the injury on a tweaked shooting form.

“We spent some time with him throughout the summer, but sometime during the month of August, I think, he might have worked on his shot a little bit – could even be the cause of the irritation and inflammation in the shoulder,” GM Bryan Colangelo said of Fultz.

However, Fultz’s longtime trainer and mentor, Keith Williams, told USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick that Fultz began tweaking his shooting form as a result of the pain he felt in his shoulder as opposed to the other way around.

“The shot was never changed (before the shoulder pain),” Williams – who trained the New Orleans Pelicans’ DeMarcus Cousins in his college and early pro years, among other NBA clients – said by phone. “He’s a great shooting point guard. There haven’t been many point guards who shot the ball as well as him coming out of college, off the dribble and off the catch. I never changed the shot. Why would I?”

Regardless of the order, Fultz's shoulder saga has devolved into a frustrating start to his NBA career.

bob

.

I'm calling bullshit. Muscle imbalance? What does that even mean? Sounds made up. Something else is going on here, and Colangelo and the 76ers are already throwing the kid under the bus. I hope his agent gets him out of there and that the 6ers suck for another 10 years.

by **k_j_88** Sun Oct 29, 2017 6:23 pm

The 26ers mucked up his recovery. They don't understand how to take care of their players.

KJ

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The Markelle Fultz Fiasco Is the Sixers’ Own Doing