When many people focused on the Grizzlies against the Spurs, the Grizzlies young master Ja Morant soared 52 points, writing a record high in personal and team history. The author focused on another game. The Magic beat the visiting Pacers 119-103 at home, and 2017 No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz returned to the game for the first time in 418 days after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament. , played 16 minutes off the bench and scored 10 points and 6 assists.
With 3 minutes and 55 seconds left in the first quarter, Cole Anthony committed a foul. At this time, the sound of substitutions sounded. Many fans had already begun to shout. They were looking forward to the person who was standing on the record table and was ready to play. The announcer on the sidelines shouted. Out the name of Markelle Fultz, the audience responded with warm applause, and some even stood up.
Different from the previous high-five ceremonies for substitutions, Anthony gave Fultz a big hug, because he knew that this was Fultz’s chance to prove himself again after a 14-month absence. And when Fultz hit the mid-range at the beginning of the second quarter, the fans cheered enthusiastically, they knew that the once highly anticipated No. 1 pick was back!
“It’s been a really tough time.”
“But all you can do is focus on making the best of your day.”
“All you can trust is the medical team and God.”
“I’m lucky to have a great group of teammates and teams who make it easier for me to get back into shape.”
Fultz put up a decent record with playing time constraints, but he’s kept a low profile and modesty when it comes to his long-awaited comeback.
It’s been really restless this way.
No. 1 draft pick delayed by injury
“It’s all really crazy.”
“For me, it’s really been a blessing.”
“I’m grateful to try out my team.”
“No matter who chooses me in the end, I’m very happy.”
“I’m really lucky to be able to play basketball.”
Back in 2017, Fultz, who was very vocal at the time, talked about how he was likely to be selected first overall, and he kept using “lucky” to describe his journey.
Indeed, he was only 175 centimeters in his sophomore year of high school, and his height was too short so that he could only serve as a substitute for the school team, but during this time he did not give up on himself, but solidly exercised his basic skills. Such efforts seem to be seen by God, In the third year of high school, he grew to 6 feet 3 inches (about 191 centimeters), and his rapid drawing and extraordinary skills made him immediately become the starter of the school team. The team’s star player, who averaged 19.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, led the team to win the state championship, and was also rated as a five-star high school student by ESPN.
Although being 6’3″ doesn’t have much of an advantage in the NBA, Fultz has great physical and core strength, which allows him to put the ball in the rim firmly after a confrontation, and work hard to get it out. His quick dribbling and direction changes made his quick first cut more threatening, his smooth throwing feel made him fearless to defend against players in the penalty area, and his hard work and humble personality made him more popular among many teams. , To put it simply, Fultz was a potential guard with an infinite upper limit on the offensive end at the time, which finally allowed the 76ers to select him with the No. 1 pick, allowing Fultz and the 2016 No. 1 pick Ben Simmons to form the No. 1 backcourt.
“I know I’m still young and have a lot to learn.”
“I think I can improve defensively.”
After entering the NBA, Fultz still holds the spirit of studious and hard work, and constantly pursues progress in all aspects. He can score an average of 20 points in the first two games of the summer league, and at the age of 19, many people have Looking forward to this young champion.
Then, the “lucky” in Fultz’s mouth stopped abruptly, and was replaced by an injury that seemed to fall from a high point.
“I was trying so hard to block, so I twisted my foot.”
“I can’t think too much right now, I just feel pain.”
In the summer league after that, Fultz accidentally sprained his ankle when he blocked the landing. Although he did not fracture in the end, he had to miss the rest of the competition. After returning to play four regular games, he must miss the foot injury and shoulder injury. , Although he returned in the last 10 games at the end of the season, he obviously did not regain his form. He only ended the rookie season with a score of 7.1 points and a shooting percentage of 40.5%.
“Markelle and his trainer privately schedule workouts to fine-tune the shot.”
“The starting point was good, but now we have to take over and try to get his shot back.”
Shooting has always been Fultz’s hurdle. Coupled with the inconsistent performance of the new year, Fultz feels that he has to practice a stable jumper, but he seems to be in a hurry. Putting the cart before the horse, his shots started to run away, and his shooting posture became more and more strange. This forced the 76ers’ coaching team to intervene. Although Fultz’s trainer retorted afterwards that it was the shoulder injury and the team’s neglect of it that caused Fultz’s shooting action to run away, but no matter what the truth is, in the face of both sides’ opinions Rashomon of the word, Fultz could only bear it silently and try to figure out the source of the problem. (Extended reading:“Big Little Lies On Court” Markelle Fultz’s Shooting Trek Mystery)