The Sixer Sense
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Don’t overreact to Markelle Fultz’s shooting form (yet)

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the game on October 20, 2017 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the game on October 20, 2017 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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We’re finally getting video of Markelle Fultz shooting free throws, but Philadelphia 76ers fans need to avoid immediate overreactions.

For the first time in forever (or something like that), it looks like the Philadelphia 76ers will get to see their most recent lottery pick finish his rookie season. Markelle Fultz is entering the final stage of his rehab process, and we’re starting to see video of the one thing every fan wants to see — his shot.

As weird as Fultz’s shoulder issues were, it was his utter refusal to shoot the ball that left more fans worried. Whether it was the yips, his shoulder or a combination of both, the fact that his form changed and his confidence dropped was always the primary concern.

Now that we’re seeing video, it’s important for fans to use context before rushing to judgement. Assuming his shoulder actually was hurt, Fultz hasn’t been able to shoot regularly for a while now. He was also an iffy free throw shooter in college, which was before he altered his form.

If the coaching staff or Fultz changed his form intentionally, that’s not the end of the world. A lot of his game revolves around getting into the lane and finishing around the rim, and his herky-jerky style will naturally lead to lots of foul shots. If he wasn’t a reliable free throw shooter, that’s worth addressing.

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The biggest problem during the whole fiasco was how the organization went about it. The lack of transparency, combined with the obvious hitch in his release and the Sixers’ unwillingness to respond to his shoulder problems until we were four games into the season, is where it gets irritating.

Here’s some of the video we’ve seen of Fultz putting in work:

There are a couple different angles of his free throw shooting there, and yes, the form is different. It’s also a heck of a lot smoother than what we saw in his first four games, which is the most important takeaway from all of this.

As long as Fultz is capable of hitting shots, I don’t really care how he shoots them. Confidence is the most important thing right now, not the minute details of how the ball rolls off his hand. Mechanics are important, but they can’t overshadow his willingness to shoot and how comfortable he is with the ball in his hands.

Next: Would you still draft Fultz with the No. 1 pick?

In reality, we won’t know where Fultz stands until he’s on the court for an NBA game. The Sixers need a shot creator of his ilk, so hopefully the best guard prospect since Kyrie Irving can put the pieces back together after his rough start.