CAMDEN, N.J. — A video of Markelle Fultz at the free throw line during training camp drew attention because of a noticeable change in form from college. Fultz, who shot 64.9 percent from the line as a freshman at Washington, clarified he does not plan on altering his shot in the NBA.
“My free throw’s going to look the same as in college,” Fultz said Thursday. “I’m just trying to look at different ways to see how the ball can go in the hoop.”
Fultz worked on his offense during his offseason training. The point guard will spend a lot of time playing off the ball when paired with Ben Simmons (see story), who will assume point responsibilities. Fultz averaged 23.2 points (47.6 percent from the field) to lead all freshmen and the entire Pac-12 in scoring. Brett Brown sees Fultz’s talents and doesn’t want him to force changes.
“His percentages revealed that he’s a more-than-capable shooter,” Brown said. “I think right now him trying to figure out how to not overcomplicate things and maybe make over something that didn’t need to be made over as much as he might of thought is a challenge.”
There will be plenty of other adjustments for Fultz to make. Among his areas of focus is the middle pick-and-roll.
“Once you get to the middle of the floor, everything’s open,” Fultz said. “In this game, everyone’s good at the one spot, the two, all guards. Even the bigs, they’re good at using illegal screens that refs don’t see. So you’ve just got to be able to fight through and get through everything.”
NBA
For all the games and practices Fultz will go through, one thing will not change: he still is a teenager competing against players 5, 10, even 15 years older than him who have been in the league since he was a kid. Fultz has been getting a small sample of that from his teammates in practice.
“He’s 19,” Brown said. “I think there’s a physical side of it that no matter how good his head and his heart is, you get back to reality. Trying to help him navigate that first year from a physical standpoint is a real challenge.”
Korkmaz work to do on D
Brown will split his attention between multiple rookies this season. Furkan Korkmaz has a long path of development ahead of him as he transitions from the international game to the NBA. Brown is placing a heavy emphasis on the defensive end.
“Trying to get him defensively built, like an attitude and a mindset to try to grow him as a defender,” Brown said. “He can score. He’s got a real sort of interesting body for a basketball player in his position. He’s long, he’s lanky. Years ago I coached Brent Barry and sort of that bouncy pogo-stick, can shoot, can dunk, I see he’s got some real interesting qualities. The defensive side needs work.”
The Sixers selected Korkmaz with the 26th pick in the 2016 draft. He paid a hefty buyout from Anadolu Efes to play in the NBA this season. Korkmaz’s friend and now teammate Dario Saric offered him advice to make the most of his time with the Sixers.
“Here, it’s all up to you,” Kormaz said. “The coaches give you opportunity, everybody shows interest in you.”
Injury notes
Jahlil Okafor (right knee soreness) went through limited parts of 5-on-5 action. Joel Embiid (left knee surgery) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (right knee patellar tendinitis) did not do 5-on-5 work. All three players participated in practice.