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Markelle Fultz agent changes story on shoulder, Philadelphia 76ers on right track

By Bret Stuter

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 09: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers Dribbles down the court during the second half of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 09: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers Dribbles down the court during the second half of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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The saga of Markelle Fultz and his shoulder injury keeps adding layer after layer. Now ESPN reports that the Philadelphia 76ers gave Fultz a cortisone shot, and did NOT drain fluid from his shoulder.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz will eventually work out just fine. Until then, the Philadelphia 76ers will be just fine. Still, the narrative over the shoulder injury of Fultz and the handling by the Philadelphia 76ers has had several chaotic versions reported recently.

With so much smoke and mirrors over the issue, it’s going to take a while to clear it off. But here is my attempt.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarkowski recently reported that Fultz had fluid drained from his shoulder.  His source? Fultz’s agent.  Now, in less that 24 hours, the same ESPN is reporting the previous report to be a false alarm.  The agent misrepresented the facts (he lied). This story is also headlined by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarkoski, so it’s not just a matter of alternative narratives.

"“He had a cortisone shot on Oct. 5, which means fluid was put into his shoulder — not taken out,” agent Raymond Brothers told ESPN on Tuesday night. “My intention earlier was to let people know that he’s been experiencing discomfort. We will continue to work with (Sixers general manager) Bryan Colangelo and the medical staff.”"

Now the story falls much closer to historic events.

False alarm, but false hopes follow

Pain in a joint area, particularly the shoulder, are not unheard of. Cortisone is a simple remedy, where the fluid injected acts like a temporary lubricant.  Per the ESPN report, the Philadelphia 76ers confirmed the treatment and have been working with Fultz with therapy to relieve the pain and slight swelling in the joint.

This is all standard for a shoulder injury. But the genie is out of the bottle now.  While Fultz loves to play basketball, and while his shoulder does need work, the question remains. Why is he competing in the NBA as an injured 19 year-old rookie?

Sorting through it all

Last season, the team sat a third of the players for the season. This year, that philosophy seems to be running at reversed polarity. So many of the fans and sports writers believe Fultz should sit to work through this injury.  Surprisingly, the team continues to give him game minutes.  So far, Markelle Fultz has played in each game averaging 19 minutes per game. While his per game usage is eighth on the 15 man roster, he has not sat out a game yet. But with recent news, that is changing.

This story is fairly complex, but only in “versions of the truth”.  The facts are that Markelle Fultz injured his shoulder. The Philadelphia 76ers administered a cortisone shot to the  affected area. Since then, the team is working to rehab the shoulder and to fix his shot mechanics.  A 19 year-old rookie is injured and is getting some mechanics worked out.

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But the decision to keep playing Markelle Fultz through it all seems to be the question mark.  This team has taken a look towards the distant future with player health matters until this season. Why is the team pressing so hard to get Markelle Fultz onto the floor now? We can only raise the questions now.  But for those who have taken this matter to a “damn the 76ers” level,  this story should ease those concerns.

The Philadelphia 76ers medical staff are treating the shoulder correctly.  Rotating the injured Fultz into the lineup?  That’s another matter altogether.