Philadelphia 76ers: Now’s the time to buy stock in The Process

Step 3 – Markelle Fultz

You can add Markelle Fultz to the list of stashed away top 3 picks for the Sixers that no one knows much about. It took three years for Embiid to give us a taste of what he can do when healthy, and not even a slice of Ben Simmons yet. Same goes for Fultz, who played his college ball at Washington last year. Due to playing far on the West Coast, Fultz’s game were either not televised (they went 2-16 in the PAC-12), or they were on too late that old men like me wouldn’t stay up to watch them.

Both 2016 and 2017 first overall picks had very little team success in college (both LSU and Wash didn’t make the tournament). But the Sixers are trusting what they can do on an individual level, and Futlz looks smoother than ever in summer league.

Through two games in Utah, Fultz is averaging 20 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. His ability to always make the correct play is what has stood out to me the most. No matter how he is guarded, he will counter the defense with the best decision possible. You’re going to go underneath the ball screen on a dribble hand off? He will stop and pop from behind the arch.

You are going to chase him around the top of the ball screen? He is going to put you on his backside while keeping total control of his pace, and wait for his roll man to get open, or shoot the floater in the lane.

Fultz is shooting almost 47 percent from the field in 25 minutes of play, which means this again, is just a snap shot of his efficiency. Every minute he’s on the floor you are on the edge of your seat waiting for him to make a guy fall from an in-and-out dribble, or to catch fire from three. He has a unique, hybrid skill-set that makes a lineup with Simmons and Embiid über versatile.