In light of the recent Markelle Fultz debacle, the San Antonio Spurs represent the ideal model for the Philadelphia 76ers to follow.
The whole Markelle Fultz situation has quite simply been a farce.
It has only just been revealed by the Philadelphia 76ers that Fultz received a cortisone shot for his troublesome shoulder on Oct. 5. For some reason, Fultz was then released to play on Oct. 9 in a preseason contest against the Boston Celtics. But following this game, Fultz was subsequently rested for the final two preseason games, before appearing the season opener on Oct. 18 against the Washington Wizards.
However, the Sixers appear to have returned to square one, with Fultz missing the Sixers’ most recent regular season game, and has already been ruled out for the ensuing two contests. Fultz’s shooting technique, particularly on free throws, has been the subject of much debate and it’s the primary reason as to the continuing question marks surrounding his ailment.
Recently, the Sixers’ president of basketball operations, Bryan Colangelo, weighed in on the debacle:
"“I can safely say through our own medical determination with multiple second opinions we feel, again, he was medically cleared to play. Dealing with ongoing discomfort, it was his choice to continue playing through the pain.”"
Fultz’s agent, Raymond Brothers, confirmed Colangelo’s assertion:
"“He had a cortisone shot on Oct. 5, which means fluid was put into his shoulder — not taken out. My intention earlier was to let people know that he’s been experiencing discomfort. We will continue to work with (Sixers general manager) Bryan Colangelo and the medical staff.”"
But while the Sixers maintain the pain is due to a change in his shooting mechanics, Fultz’s longtime trainer and mentor, Keith Williams, just this week told Sam Amick of USA Today:
"“The shot was never changed [before the shoulder pain]. He’s a great shooting point guard. There haven’t been many point guards who shot the ball as well as him coming out of college, off the dribble and off the catch. I never changed the shot. Why would I?”"
Whether Fultz’s shoulder injury was caused due to a change in his shooting mechanics this past summer or not, the bottom line is this: considering their recent history with injuries to lottery picks, why would the Philadelphia 76ers contemplate putting Fultz at risk before his career has even commenced?
Granted, Colangelo stated he was medically cleared to play. But he also added that it was Fultz’s choice to play through any lingering pain. In terms of the actual cause, he was less than convincing:
"“….he might have worked on his shot a little bit – could even be the cause of the irritation and inflammation in the shoulder.”"
Using the words “might” and “could” as an explanation certainly doesn’t fill anyone with confidence.
But ultimately, why is the decision whether or not to play Fultz left in the hands of a newly-drafted 19-year-old on the other side of the country from his hometown Seattle?
If the Sixers want to try to remedy their recent history of injury management with lottery picks, the San Antonio Spurs provide a shining example of how things should be done.