Philadelphia 76ers: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Brown
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Brown
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(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Most Improved Player: Markelle Fultz

All eyes will be on Markelle Fultz as he enters his second NBA season. Hopefully the time spent with trainer Drew Hanlen this summer has paid off.

Fultz spent the majority of his summer working closely with trainer and shooting coach Drew Hanlen, who has also aided in polishing the shooting motions of Joel Embiid and quite a few other notable players around the league.

In just 14 regular season games last season, Fultz averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 18 minutes per game, which is somewhat respectable considering the minimal usage he had to overcome.

The first area in which Fultz must show improvement is his shooting efficiency and confidence.

He didn’t release a single jumper from beyond the arc last season. He shot 40.9 percent from the field, which wasn’t very encouraging when you consider that all of his attempts were split up between layups, dunks and mid-range jumpers.

There is still plenty that needs to fall into place for Fultz, but he does still have tremendous potential and an opportunity to get his career on the right track.