The Sixer Sense
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Markelle Fultz’s shot still looks really bad

By Christopher Kline

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 21: Lucas Nogueira #92 of the Toronto Raptors, Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors vie for the ball during the game on October 21, 2017 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 21: Lucas Nogueira #92 of the Toronto Raptors, Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors vie for the ball during the game on October 21, 2017 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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So, maybe Philadelphia 76ers fans should be worried.

It’s almost irritating to watch Markelle Fultz shoot at this point. We keep expecting some semblance of progress, but each video gets progressively worse. If his form isn’t workable in practice, there’s zero chance it shows up in an actual NBA game.

What’s worse is the fact that Fultz is, by all indications, healthy. His shoulder pain is gone and the muscles are balanced, so this is just a bad stroke. The only thing keeping him from shooting well is himself, whether it be the yips or some misguided attempt to fix an already-effective form.

There’s new video out today, courtesy of Kyle Neubeck. This is probably the best angle we’ve seen to date, and it’s just not pretty. At all.

I’m not sure what’s going on with Fultz or where his head is at, but there’s no reason to play him if this continues. Give him the offseason and lock him in a gym with J.J. Redick and a shooting coach, but don’t put him on the floor and let the same confidence issues that kept him from taking shots earlier in the season creep back into the equation.

It’s now a matter of getting Fultz back to normal long term, not whether or not he can play effective basketball this season.

And, as I’ve stated on multiple occasions, Fultz shouldn’t feel any pressure. It’s still fixable and the Philadelphia 76ers, as an organization, have all the time in the world. He doesn’t need to play again this season if it’s not in his best interest. There’s no reason against him taking his time.

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With that in mind, you can’t help but look at his highlights from Washington. He shot over 41 percent from deep and was one of the most dynamic dribble pull-up threats we’ve seen in a long time.

We’re watching the best point guard prospect since Kyrie Irving — somebody who made the hesi pull-up jimbo famous during Summer League — devolve into a complete question mark moving forward.

Here’s another interesting point that doesn’t get brought up enough: Did Danny Ainge and the Celtics see something funky with his shot in workouts? And, if that’s the case, did the Sixers overlook it during their workout?

The shot looked pretty normal during Summer League play, but something pushed the Celtics away from the consensus No. 1 talent in what was considered the deepest draft class in recent memory. It’s an interesting — and concerning — thought.

It’s too early to write off Fultz, but he shouldn’t be playing if that’s what his shot looks like. It won’t end well. He still has the physical tools and skill level to make it without a jumper, but that would take a serious commitment to defense. It’d probably limit him to a bench role as well, which isn’t ideal for your top pick.

Next: 5 trades for the Sixers to consider

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