Why Markelle Fultz Is a Perfect Fit for Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers gave up two first-round picks to move up and take Washington point guard Markelle Fultz first in the 2017 NBA draft. That alone should make Sixers fans feel emboldened and worried at the same time.
Fultz becomes the next major building block to join Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Daric Saric in Philadelphia. Given the team's need for a scorer and playmaker in the backcourt, Fultz couldn't fit any better.
Much like Simmons last year, Fultz is coming off a productive one-and-done season with an unusual amount of losses for a perceived No. 1 overall talent. He'll look to erase Washington's 9-22 record from the memory of coaches and fans over the next several years by emerging as the final key that ignites the Sixers and finally pushes them up the standings.
What makes Fultz such a perfect addition to the Sixers? Let's take a look.
He Gets Better Each Year
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The story has made the rounds, but it could be telling: Fultz went from playing on the junior varsity squad as a high school sophomore to the No. 1 pick in the draft. Recruiting rankings and draft boards alike have reflected his gradual improvement.
It's a promising sign regarding Fultz's work ethic and ability not only to recognize what adjustments he needs to make, but to actually follow through. It suggests he should continue to make strides as an NBA player, one of the reasons why Philadelphia likely invested so much into him.
With Fultz having just turned 19 years old at the end of May, his room for growth creates convincing upside.
He Won Before Washington
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The only argument against Fultz was that he failed to reach the NCAA tournament during his one-and-done season with the Huskies. But those concerned about him lacking a winning mentality may want to watch the tape from last summer's FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
There, Fultz led Team USA to a gold and won MVP of the tournament. The team was talented and the competition was inferior, but when the United States offense needed a bucket, he was there to take over.
The losses at Washington shouldn't fall on Fultz's shoulders, as it wasn't a winnable situation. He should benefit next year from more stability and better players around him.
His Physical Tools and Athleticism Mirror Many of Today's Star NBA Guards
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Fultz shares many of the same physical and athletic traits as today's top NBA guards.
His measurements mirror John Wall's from the 2010 combine: 6'4", 190 pounds with a 6'9 ¾"wingspan. He has terrific size and length for a lead guard and plenty for a shooting guard, too.
Graceful with his footwork, change of direction and bounce, Fultz's movements and overall athleticism are similar to Dwayne Wade's.
Fultz appears poised to create routine highlights off fast breaks, drives, slashes and finishes at the rim. He also shouldn't have trouble getting off his shot, which he can make even against tight defensive coverage.
Finished with Historic Production and Efficiency at Washington
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Washington only won nine games, but it wasn't due to inconsistency from Fultz. He's coming off one of the most impressive individual seasons for a freshman and college basketball player in general.
Fultz finished his lone season at Washington as the only player in the past 25 years to average at least 20 points, five assists and five rebounds while shooting above 40 percent from three. The numbers highlight volume scoring and playmaking production along with long-range shooting efficiency.
Given Washington's record, Fultz's stats may have been empty, but they weren't meaningless. They were unmatchable and reflect the skill level of a No. 1 overall talent.
He Can Play Either Backcourt Position
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There are naturally questions about how Fultz will fit alongside fellow No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons, who Sixers head coach Brett Brown had previously pegged as the team's primary ball-handler.
While Fultz is a nominal point guard, his tools and skills fuel valuable versatility. When Simmons is playing the role of facilitator, Fultz can slide to the 2 and still threaten the defense with spot-up shooting (38 percent at Washington, per DraftExpress' Mike Schmitz) and scoring off screens.
He's still best on the ball out of screens and isolation, but Brown can stagger Fultz's and Simmons' possessions at the point. Philadelphia coaches and fans shouldn't worry about whether Fultz can still be effective when Simmons is running the offense.
He's an Elite Scorer and a Dangerous Playmaker
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Fultz is the full package offensively, loaded with both scoring firepower and playmaking ability.
He creates his own shot by driving or separating into jumpers off either ball screens or isolation. He shot 42.1 percent off the dribble, per DraftExpress' Mike Schmitz, using pull-ups, step-backs and floaters. As a scorer, he gets it done from all three levels in a variety of ways, as evidenced by his averages of 2.1 made threes and 6.7 free-throw attempts per game.
Fultz also finished with a higher assist percentage (35.5) than Lonzo Ball, De'Aaron Fox and Dennis Smith Jr., three of the other four point guards selected within the top 10 of this year's draft.
Like James Harden, Fultz is crafty with his handle and hesitation and knows how to gain a step on who's guarding him without playing too fast. He can be just as effective playing the role of setup man with the ability to break down defenses, see the open man and deliver a pass with either hand.
He'll Wow You with Defensive Playmaking, but Alarm You with Lack of Urgency
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In 25 games, Fultz had 39 steals and an even more impressive 30 blocks, with a handful of those rejections being of the chase-down variety. His quickness, length and athleticism translate to defensive playmaking—the ability to force turnovers or make plays on the ball.
He can be exciting, but he also tends to be overly casual in the half court. He lost concentration—and consequently his man—too often defending off the ball. We saw sloppy closeouts and not enough fight and desire throughout a season in which his team was almost always losing.
Fultz's 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per 40 minutes didn't accurately reflect his defensive impact at Washington. On the other hand, he clearly has the tools and natural ability to be a plus NBA defender capable of guarding either backcourt position.
Getting him to dig in on every possession should be atop Brown's priority list in Philadelphia.
Stats courtesy of Sports Reference. Measurements and weight courtesy of DraftExpress and ESPN.
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