Philadelphia 76ers: 5 takeaways as the All-Star Break approaches

5. Markelle Fultz’s condition is improving

The Philadelphia 76ers are keeping Markelle Fultz out of games as he continues to recover from his mysterious shoulder injury. In the latest adjustment, Fultz is using Virtual-Reality (VR) goggles to adjust his shooting mechanics, per Philly Voice‘s Kyle Neubeck.

The purpose behind the VR goggles is to get the rookie to “visualize the mechanics he’ll use in a game, to remember how easy it once was for him to rise up with the ball and shoot from anywhere on the court, and to be able to do so without the glare of the cameras or other people around him.”

Personally, I’m as baffled as any fan when it comes to the mishandling of this situation. Fultz has appeared in just four games this season before being put on the shelf indefinitely. Since then, he’s faced tons of scrutiny as practice footage has surfaced from various outlets showing his odd shooting form.

Big man Joel Embiid had some interesting things to say after the Sixers’ victory on Monday night over the New York Knicks. It boils down to keeping a positive atmosphere around Fultz as he looks to make his return to the hardwood. Philadelphia may be better off keeping him out for the rest of the season to allow for Fultz to recover fully mentally and physically.