The Sixer Sense
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Markelle Fultz is prepping to have a breakout season

By Lucas Johnson

BOSTON, MA - MAY 3: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 3: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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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Philadelphia 76ers fans should being getting on the hype train which is Markelle Fultz and the potential breakout season in store for him.

In the past, I wrote about the importance of Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz working with shot wizard Drew Hanlen. After Fultz’s disappointing rookie season, it’s good to see that he is putting in work this summer with Hanlen. Sixers fans should be especially excited that Fultz is repairing his shot and the reactions coming from his work.

Hanlen has posted on social media or said something positive about the progress that Fultz has made. In an interview on the Talking Schmitt Podcast, Hanlen talked about how Fultz was ahead of schedule with his shot and how when he does fix Fultz shot, it will improve Hanlin’s career and status tremendously.

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Recently on twitter, Hanlen had preached excitement to the Sixers fan base. While the tweet didn’t mention Fultz directly, it’s in all likelihood a reference to the progress that Fultz has made. Hanlen also had one of his followers on Twitter tweet at him saying that he would give Hanlen’s first name to his future child if he was able to fix Fultz’s shooting form. Hanlen responded with, “Can’t wait to meet Drew Stantore!”, Stantore is the last name of the twitter user that initially promoted the conversation.

He also tweeted a picture of Fultz’s shot release on July 4th, showing that Fultz didn’t even take the national holiday off.

The shot doctor isn’t the only one that is excited about Fultz’ progress this offeason. Sixers head coach and interim front office leader Brett Brown has spoke on how happy he is on Fultz progress. Keith Pompey of philly.com quoted Brown in a tweet, in which Brown said, “I have tremendous confidence that he’s going to have a hell of a year this year.”

Pompey also quoted Brown in another tweet that had Brown continue his praise of Fultz:

Both Brown and Hanlen having such confidence is certainly growing the hype around the former first overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft.

If Fultz does fulfill the hype that both head coach Brown and trainer Hanlen have been building up, then he should easily find himself in the starting lineup at some point this season. While I think he should replace J.J. Redick in the lineup if his shot has returned, he’d more likely replace either Robert Covington or Dario Saric.

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As I wrote in my previous article about Fultz’s offseason work, “If Fultz regains his form the Sixers may have the makings of a big three with [Joel] Embiid, [Ben] Simmons and Fultz”. That still holds true and is starting to look like a reality for the Philadelphia 76ers. While Fultz’s regular season work will be the only true form of validation that this offseason work will bring, none can deny the hype building around him is very real.