Markelle Fultz’s agent revealed earlier this week that he believes the point guard has a medical issue with his shoulder, but you can count Charles Barkley among those who are not buying it.
Fultz’s agent Raymond Brothers confirmed on Tuesday that he advised the former No. 1 overall pick to not participate in any team activities until he sees a shoulder specialist. In an appearance on ESPN’s “Golic and Wingo Show” Wednesday, Barkley said he believes the shooting issues Fultz has had in his first two NBA seasons are all between the ears.
“You can’t just keep shooting and keep shooting, because all you do is reinforce bad habits. I think Markelle needs to see a sports psychiatrist or something,” Barkley said. “Like on my golf swing, it shows up when it wants to. I’m pretty sure Markelle can’t control how he shoots that free throw or jump shot. I don’t mean psychological like he’s got issues, but like a sports psychiatrist. I think he really needs that.”
For what it’s worth, the Philadelphia 76ers seemed genuinely blindsided by the idea that Fultz has a medical issue with his shoulder. Team doctors and trainers were unaware of any problems, and Fultz even declared himself fully healthy during training camp.
Barkley, who enthusiastically defended Fultz against trolls earlier this season, is not alone in his thinking. Fultz was a star in college, and it seems obvious that he’s dealing with the equivalent of the “yips.”
Despite his agent saying he should sit out of all practices and workouts until he sees a specialist, Fultz was spotted at practice on Tuesday. That says a lot about the health of his shoulder.
