PORTLAND, Ore. – Markelle Fultz needs to play.
The first-overall pick in June’s NBA draft needs to be out there with his 76ers teammates. The combo guard needs to get the ball, dribble, step back and attempt three-pointers. Fultz needs to drive to the basket and elevate his right shoulder while drawing contact. He needs to attempt foul shots on the road in front of 18,000 hostile fans.
Right now, he’s a long way from there.
His on-court stuff has mostly consisted of individual shooting-form drills with former NBA sharp-shooter Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. It’s great that the Sixers plan to incorporate him in team drills this weekend.