The Sixer Sense
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Markelle Fultz’s journey to recovery continues

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 6: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before the game against the Washington Wizards on February 6, 2018 at 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 6: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before the game against the Washington Wizards on February 6, 2018 at 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It’s time for Philadelphia 76ers fans to restore their patience with Markelle Fultz.

I’m still a firm believer in Markelle Fultz. Even with his shooting issues, it’s tough to deny the innate talent that’s already in place. He was the No. 1 prospect in a loaded draft class for a reason.

For the first time in a long time, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ prized rookie spoke directly to the media regarding his shot during Tuesday night’s broadcast of the Wizards game. Here’s what he had to say about his journey and what his expectations are moving forward:

"“It’s very frustrating. I want to be out there real bad, competing with my team. It’s been tough really, but at the end of the day I know it’s going to make me better. It’s been a long journey just trying to relearn it. I’m just going through it. I want to go back out there as quick as I can, but it’s been a slow process … I just want to let [the fans]  know thank you for all the support, all the love. Can’t wait to get back out there and support them and play my hardest for them.” — TNT"

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Above all else, I think it’s time for us to re-calibrate our thoughts on Fultz. There have been so many discussions about the “yips” and “confidence issues” that some of us have begun to ignore the possibility that he’s actually hurt.

He was cleared for team activities, but the general consensus — at least among the media and according to Brett Brown — is that Fultz is still working through some shoulder pain. That would explain a lot when it comes to the hitch in his shot.

Mental woes can do a lot to a player, but Fultz’s ugly 3-point videos can’t necessarily be chalked up to confidence or a lack thereof. He clearly has trouble getting into his motion fluidly, which seems to get worse with increased distance.

That could be why his short-range shots are looking better, while his long-range shot isn’t quite there yet.

If Fultz has trouble lifting his arm up for an extended period of time, that’s an issue he needs to work through — not something we can rightly criticize. I get the general feeling that Fultz is progressing in the right direction, and that is easily the most important trend in all of this.

Muscle imbalance is a real thing, so it’s not like we’re talking about some made-up excuse to keep him off the floor. If that’s still giving him troubles and the journey revolves around re-learning his mechanics (not arbitrarily trying to fix them), we’re in a good spot.

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All indications point towards this being a shoulder issue, not an over-the-top psychosomatic breakdown. Hopefully Fultz can reclaim his shot soon and we see him on the floor, 100 percent healthy, before the season ends.