The 76ers played No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz through his shoulder problems. Then, they sat him for three games. Then, they said he’d miss at least three more weeks. Then, they said he’d miss at least another two to three weeks. Then, they said they anticipated him returning soon. Two days after that, they said he’d miss at least three more weeks.
Now?
Jessica Camerato of NBC Sports Philadelphia:
Bryan Colangelo on Markelle Fultz: "There’s always a chance that he’s going to be out there soon, and there’s a chance that he’s not going to play this year. I can’t answer that question because we don’t know the answer to that."
— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) February 9, 2018
Fultz has already played four games, so it’s too late for him to follow Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and Dario Saric, who didn’t play for the 76ers the season after getting drafted in the lottery. But Fultz’s first-year impact could wind up practically as small.
It’s hard to believe Fultz will return soon. Philadelphia is waiting for him to be able to shoot, and well….
Derek Bodner of The Athletic:
Bryan Colangelo says Markelle Fultz's current range is "within the paint" .
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 9, 2018
Colangelo on Fultz: "It was a breakdown in muscle function and coordination...There have been some limitations for some time and he's getting through it. Again, there's a long recovery. It's taken probably longer than anyone had hoped or imagined."#sixers
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 9, 2018
Colangelo: "I personally have not seen this injury [before] in basketball." #sixers
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 9, 2018
In some ways, the 76ers are hanging Fultz out to dry. They keep having him shoot in front of the media, and leaving his timeline so uncertain only intensifies questions. They’ve already caused strife with their portrayal of the root of the injury.
But this is such a strange situation. I don’t know whether Philadelphia can predict when Fultz will shoot capably again.