Markelle Fultz is still trying to shake out whatever psychological issues have been affecting him, and the demands of the fans probably will not help matters.
Fultz opened up the season going 2-for-7 in Boston on Tuesday. He played his second game of the season on Thursday night, but this one was at home. 76ers fans did not like seeing him pass up shots even when wide open.
Fultz has gotta shoot these. Bulls haven't been guarding him out there. pic.twitter.com/roXaDPi0mS
— Stephen Noh (@StephNoh) October 19, 2018
The fans at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia yelled at Fultz to “shoot it” when he got the ball.
Probably not a good way for Markelle Fultz to get his confidence going is for 19,000 fans to scream “shoot” every time he touches it.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 19, 2018
Fultz’s actions on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls was a continuation of what happened against Boston. The 2017 No. 1 overall pick also passed up open shots against the Celtics:
First two plays in this clip: Fultz with space to take longer jumpers vs. BOS tonight, conceding it to shoot around the paint
Final two plays in this clip: How Fultz used to attack *any* semblance of space he had to shoot, vs. BOS in Summer League pic.twitter.com/lbo83wDmNt
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 17, 2018
Fultz began to change his shot last year, but that was ascribed to a shoulder injury. He then missed most of the season with whatever issues he had — be it the yips or his shoulder — and he’s still trying to regain his shot and his confidence. His issues seem to be mental.
