The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 reasons why Philadelphia 76ers compete for 2018-19 NBA Championship

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 12 : T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers is interviewed by Molly Sullivan while Joel Embiid #21 and Robert Covington #33 pours water over him in congratulations after a fantastic game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 12 : T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers is interviewed by Molly Sullivan while Joel Embiid #21 and Robert Covington #33 pours water over him in congratulations after a fantastic game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next

Markelle Fultz returns

There is so much focus on Markelle Fultz this season. But by the time next season rolls in , his shooting and his scoring will be back on track.  However you see the cause and effect and the miscommunication, it all fades away from the moment this young man steps foot onto the basketball court.  The same thing happened to calm the fears over Joel Embiid, and Ben Simmons. At each occasion, an incredibly talented young man hit the pitstop before racing onto the NBA court. And  in the previous two events, the player’s performance quickly monopolized the narrative.

That same cycle will happen once more. The talent of Markelle Fultz is vast and unique. He can facilitate, create shots, plop threes or drive to the basket. His shot arsenal is a complete quiver, and he has great instincts on getting to the basket for the score. Speed flashes in bursts, but he can hit the pedal or the brakes to throw defenders off.

Tough acts to follow

But let’s face it. After Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, both of whom had -by rights- NBA ROY seasons- expectations for Markelle Fultz are already incredibly high. While he has plenty of talent to eventually exceed expectations, the reality is that the NBA has little patience for the young man right now. Since the Philadelphia 76ers traded for the top pick with the Boston Celtics, many point to Celtics Jayson Tatum with his 13.2 points and 43.9 percent shooting from the perimeter, and expect Fultz to exceed those numbers each night.

But Tatum is not a volume shooter from three-point range. In fact, he averages less than three attempts from long-distance per game. In contrast, power forward Al Horford attempts more threes on a per game basis. The reality is that Tatum benefited from the day one injury to Gordon Hayward and simply filled those minutes well. Tatum was promoted by necessity. If you recall, 76ers point guard T.J. McConnell outperformed second pick D’Angelo Russell in their rookie seasons. When a player is forced into action, the team bends their playbook to accommodate him.