The Sixer Sense
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Markelle Fultz should lead the second unit upon his return

By Christopher Kline

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Markelle Fultz #20 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on from the sideline during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 11, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Markelle Fultz #20 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on from the sideline during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 11, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Markelle Fultz should still be viewed as a top flight prospect, but starting him off as the leader of the second unit could benefit the Philadelphia 76ers.

This is something we’ve been over quite a bit in the past week or so. Markelle Fultz is extremely talented, but Philadelphia 76ers fans shouldn’t set the bar too high once he returns. He’s a rookie who has been out for almost a month with shoulder issues that prohibited him from shooting correctly.

That’s not easy to bounce back from.

On top of that, there’s a chance his confidence took a hit. That means Fultz’s return is about restoring faith in his jumper and getting him used to the NBA’s pace, not giving him control of the Sixers’ primary offensive sets.

That’s what should lead to Brett Brown making a tough decision that, at this point in the season, feels necessary: Placing Markelle (semi-permanently) on the bench.

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Once he’s healthy I expect Fultz to start, and there’s no indication that his game won’t return to form eventually. But for the time being, this Sixers team has a lot going for it — and thrusting Fultz into the starting rotation could have a view negative effects.

First and foremost is the fact that Fultz will still struggle early on. Restoring confidence in his shots means he’ll probably be taking and missing quite a bit. That’s not a problem, but it’s not something you want to plug into a starting rotation that has been thriving on ball movement and spacing in recent weeks.

He’s also someone who’s at his best as the primary ball handler, which isn’t what he’ll be alongside Ben Simmons. That’s an adjustment he’ll obviously need to make, but letting him work his way into the NBA as the second unit’s bell cow could help him regain that confidence he so desperately needs.

This Sixers’ second unit hasn’t been all that great either. T.J. McConnell can only do so much, while neither Amir Johnson nor Richaun Holmes are the offensive powerhouses needed to stabilze a group that lacks scoring.

Fultz won’t shoot lights out from day one, but he’s someone who can get into the lane and create at a high clip. That’s something he showed even with the shoulder injury, and it could allow him to kickstart both his career and the reserves.

Next: Fultz is the Sixers' wildcard

Again: Please have optimism when it comes to Fultz’s outlook long term, as there’s a reason he was the conensus No. 1 prospect all season. Temper expectations and place him in a position to suceed early on, though. That means handing him the keys to the second unit.