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Why it’s too early to panic about Markelle Fultz

By Owen Nelson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 15: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on prior to the game against the Toronto Raptors at the Wells Fargo Center on January 15, 2018 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 15: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on prior to the game against the Toronto Raptors at the Wells Fargo Center on January 15, 2018 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Many have already dubbed Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz as a bust. Here’s why it’s to early panic.

After setting the collegiate scene alight, Markelle Fultz was the unanimous first pick in what was one of the most loaded drafts in recent memory. For Washington, Fultz proved to be one of the most offensively polished freshmen we have seen in years. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 23.2 points per game, 5.9 assists per game and 5.7 rebounds per game in his lone season. Fultz also proved he could shoot the ball as he knocked down 41.3 percent of his three-point attempts.

Fultz was fully deserving of being selected with the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Now, however, many people are saying the Philadelphia 76ers made a colossal mistake. A scapular muscle imbalance in Fultz’s right shoulder has seen him miss all but four games this year. In those four games, Fultz averaged just six points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game and 1.8 assists per game. Additionally, Fultz didn’t attempt a single three-pointer.

If you have forgotten how good Fultz was for Washington, please watch this video:

It appears that Fultz has seemingly forgotten how to shoot the ball. It’s tremendously unusual and weird to see what has happened to Fultz. A former lights-out shooter has all of a sudden forgotten how to shoot — it just doesn’t seem right.

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Recently, there’s been a lot of footage of Fultz’s new and improved(?) jump shot. Some may see it as an improvement from how it looked at the start of the season, however, its still light years away from what it was for Washington last season. Of all of the videos of Fultz attempting three-pointers at practice, I’ve seen him airball threes more than actually making them. Quite concerning, right?

Right now it may strike fear in the majority of fans, and rightly so. However, Fultz has only been in the NBA for a couple of months. Also, Fultz is only 19 years old, NINETEEN! The rook has plenty of time to correct all of his mishaps. Of course, seeing Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum killing it for their respective teams will make 76ers fans second-guess their selection.

We must stick with Fultz through this rough period. And this shouldn’t be hard for any 76ers fans as we have had to do it with Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. It’s fair to say that Embiid and Simmons were worth the wait, so who’s to say Fultz won’t be?

If worse comes to shove and Fultz never resurrects his jump shot, he is still a premier scorer due to his ability to get to the basket and finishing. However, the jump shot will add another lethal layer to his game and would be of great help to the team.

Next: An update on the Philadelphia 76ers’ overseas players

Ultimately, its just way too early to declare Fultz as a bust. The 19-year-old has 15-20 years left in the league, the potential is sky-high. There was a reason as to why Fultz was the unanimous top player in the deepest draft in recent memory.