How Markelle Fultz’s new shot will affect his game

Markelle Fultz reportedly has a new jumper. With it, he can bring his game to the next level.

The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Markelle Fultz with the first overall pick due to his all-around abilities. Scouting reports from Sports Illustrated and DraftExpress praised Fultz for his well-rounded skill set and offensive versatility. It was noted that he can easily become an all-star.

But, before the 2017-18 NBA season, Fultz and his jump shot were not on the same page. He originally slightly changed his shot prior the NBA Summer League starting. This was in hopes of fixing mechanics.

But, his trainer, Keith Williams, wanted to alter his jump shot even further. Soon after, Fultz had no confidence in his jumper and struggled heavily. Eventually, reports of a shoulder injury Fultz had sustained rose to the surface. It varies in opinion whether Fultz sustained this injury because he changed his shot, or sustained the injury and then changed his shot afterward.

More from Sixers News

• 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
• 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
• 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
• Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
• Breaking Down Bombshell Report on Sixers Star James Harden

Overall, between the media and a lot of pressure on him, it did not bode well for Markelle Fultz. In the first four games of the season, he shot 50 percent from the free throw line and 33 percent from the field. With the pressure only mounting higher, Fultz was practically shut down due to the shooting and shoulder issues.

On the 73rd game of the season, Fultz made his much-anticipated return against the Denver Nuggets. He’d go on to finish out the season, showing some flashes of brilliance and highlight plays.  Fultz did record triple-double, the youngest player to play ever do so. Also, in the 10-game span, Fultz only turned over the ball 11 times and owned a 4.18 AST to TO Ratio.

Yet, he rarely took a jump shot. Out of his attempts all season, 99 percent of his shots were two-pointers. He only took one three-pointer (a miss). Fultz shot within 10-feet of the rim 72 percent of the time, which are essentially all layups. 20 percent of his shots came from 10-16 feet.

Obviously, this shows Fultz shot layups for the majority of the season, rarely attempting to shoot a mid-range jumper.

This past weekend, Jordan Schultz reported that Markelle Fultz completely rebuilt his jump shot. Fultz did this with NBA trainer Drew Hanlen, who works with teammate Joel Embiid, among other NBA stars. Reports say Fultz is with Hanlen working on his craft up to three times per day. If this has truth to it, which I believe it does, Fultz can transform into a completely different player.

Adding the jump shot to his game, Fultz can take the next step. For a second, let’s remember the player everyone thought Markelle Fultz was going to be. He was the lock as No. 1 pick for quite a while, seen as a franchise player with a solid offensive skill set.

No one ever knocked his shooting or worried he would not be able to shoot in the NBA. In college, Fultz shot 41.3 percent (52FGM-126FGA) clip from three-point range and 47.6 percent (209FGM-43AFGA) from the field at Washington.

Although college is a different level than NBA, Fultz could definitely shoot. In the previously mentioned DraftExpress scouting report, it was said Fultz was a three-point option for the 76ers due to their desperate need of guard shooting.

It was not until the shoulder and shooting form issues showed up that people worried about his jump shot. With an entirely revamped jump shot, that he is comfortable with, Fultz can turn out to be what he was drafted to be — a combo guard, who can score in several ways, including driving or shooting from the perimeter, able to fit right in with young stars like Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

Now defenders, who only had to defend against the drive in the past, have to look out for Fultz’s shooting. Plus, Fultz proving to score in more ways creates more offense for the 76ers. Among these benefits, it will also help space the floor.

Thus, even at only 20 years old, Fultz can become what all 76ers fan had hoped. He can become a real threat. If this happens, the “bust” label can be tossed out the window.