PHILADELPHIA _ The Markelle Fultz shoulder saga, now careening into its 13th month, is sad and could end the second-year guard's career with the 76ers.
The team seems tired of all the drama, and Fultz looks bad, with conflicting statements about his health dominating media reports and his poor production getting full attention on the court.
Did it have to come to this? Maybe. Here is a look back on how the muddled mess developed:
Over much of the last year, perhaps as a way to protect the first overall pick of the 2017 draft, everyone involved went along with the idea that a shoulder injury was the cause of Fultz's shooting woes. The Sixers sent Fultz to several prominent doctors, but none of them found anything to prevent him from making shots. Sources have long said that Fultz's shooting woes were mental, that he had the yips and that the shoulder injury was not a factor.
Still, the Sixers maintained that Fultz's poor shooting was the result of his shoulder woes and later a scapular muscle imbalance. Perhaps they were protecting Fultz from the scrutiny they thought he would receive from having a mental block regarding his shot. Maybe they were protecting themselves from the scrutiny they would likely receive from trading up two spots and surrendering a future first-round pick for a player with a mental block.
Or it could have been for both reasons.
Others said this situation would blow over, and Fultz would regain the shooting form that made him an All-American in both high school and college. Instead, Fultz and his troubles have become a national curiosity.
On Thursday, Dallas Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper parodied Fultz during a touchdown celebration. Standing in front of the goalpost, Cooper mimicked Fultz's bizarre free-throw form of shifting the ball from his right hand to the left as he prepares to shoot. Fultz shot that way on Nov. 16 against the Utah Jazz in an attempt to eliminate a hitch in his foul shot.
Fultz apparently was not insulted. He shared his reaction to Cooper's celebration on Snapchat with the message "Good shot boy." Cooper said he doesn't know Fultz but thought the imitation was a cool thing to do.
Things had already heated up on Tuesday last week as Fultz's agent and lawyer, Raymond Brothers, informed the Sixers that Fultz, who had played in 19 games this season through Thursday, with 15 starts, would not practice or play until he saw a shoulder specialist on Monday in New York. On Wednesday, The Athletic reported that Fultz is also dealing with a right wrist injury in addition to the shoulder ailment. According to that report, sources also said that Fultz would prefer a fresh start with another team. Later, Brothers denied the report.
The possibility of Fultz moving on is understandable considering how confusing things have been with the Sixers.
For now, however, Fultz is still around the team as if nothing has changed except his playing time. The Sixers keep saying they will do whatever is best for him, but the situation has overshadowed the success the team has had this season.
Some sources have said that, despite the team's statements, Fultz is no longer in the Sixers' long-term plans. And they are no longer using his shoulder as an excuse for his performances.
