Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Markelle Fultz is still broken. The former number 1 pick is averaging 9.3 points per game on 42.2 percent from the field this season, which isn’t nothing, but his horrendous shooting mechanics have overshadowed it all. The 20-year-old has worked with esteemed shooting coach Drew Hanlen ad nauseam over the summer to correct his head-scratching form, but their relationship has reportedly soured in recent weeks and the two are no longer on speaking terms, never mind still working together.
After several months of Fultz unlearning his old habits and learning entirely new mechanics, it seems like University of Washington product has regressed. Look at this free throw from last night against the Miami Heat.
This is worse than we have ever seen Fultz's free throw form look. pic.twitter.com/FhCYpNpd5b
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) November 13, 2018
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Fultz had this to say about the shot:
“I mean, the ball slipped out of my hand, so I had to do what I had to do. But I’m not really worried about it. I work on my game. The ball just happened to slip. That’s what happened.”
Fultz hasn’t attempted an outside shot yet in November. He has also shot just 60 percent from the charity stripe in his first 14 games of the year. It will be interesting to see the dynamic when ‘tough love’ Jimmy Butler arrives.
— Jrod (@Celtics_Jrod) November 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1062158972013240329
Incredible. Markelle Fultz shot a free throw so bad that within minutes his ex-shooting coach had already let media know he wasn't responsible https://t.co/l3aAnOwEBj
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) November 13, 2018
Jimmy butler: Shoot!
Markelle Fultz: pic.twitter.com/NWAwVBzAjx
— Ser Dweeb (@Flawed_Ambition) November 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/SportsTalkJo3y/status/1061319921223770115
Markelle Fultz is a living, breathing 2K glitch. It’s tough to watch. pic.twitter.com/wMUXZBPQR2
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) November 13, 2018
This Markelle Fultz thing is a elaborate viral marketing for monstars stealing players talent leading up to Lerbrons Space Jam 2. Stay woke
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) November 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/jtylerconway/status/1061317305697755136
Tweet from Woj in three weeks:
“Hearing from a team source that Jimmy Butler forced Markelle Fultz to stand in a trash can for the entirety of #Sixers practice this afternoon.”
— shamus (@shamus_clancy) November 13, 2018
At the end of the day, the dude is 20-years-old and not too far removed from shoulder surgery. Maybe I’m being too critical of him.