Dr. J prescribes poor diagnosis on Tatum-Fultz

Former Philadelphia 76ers great Dr. J calls off the debate, and says that Jayson Tatum should’ve been the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft

Last week, on ESPN’s Get Up!, Dr. J came out and said some interesting things regarding Markelle Fultz and Jayson Tatum, who will both be compared for the rest of their careers.

"“Tatum probably should have been the first pick in the draft.”"

Tatum has shown flashes of brilliance, but I don’t think anyone should be surprised. We are reminded that he came in as a professional scorer, when we saw him dominate at Duke. He has the potential to be an elite scorer in this league. We all need to realize that a player is not defined when he is 20.

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They are defined when they reach there prime.

Tatum was probably the most NBA ready player in the draft, but his ceiling was considered “relatively low” compared to other top-5 picks. When scouting Fultz, there is something that catches the eye. The fact that he is so smooth and always keeps his body under control, is unique. The game just comes easily to him. Fultz has the potential to become one of the best point guards in the league.

We are all entitled to our opinions, and I definitely respect Dr. J ‘s viewpoint

It’s unfair to judge a player on a very limited amount of action or compare players on different teams in different systems. Tatum has a unique opportunity with Hayward going down early and with Kyrie and Jaylen Brown missing games. This has given him the opportunity to showcase his talent.

Fultz, like Tatum, needs to earn his place in the NBA and show Dr. J that he is wrong.

That being said, this is a critical offseason for Fultz. He has the opportunity to get healthy and has an entire summer to work on his game. This is the time to set his shooting form and work on free throw shooting. I am dying to see what the kid can do, in he Summer League, when he is the go to guy.

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Overall, we need to slow down and watch “The Process” play itself out. Players not playing or not healthy has been a constant in Philly, but they have broken out and become big time players when they have earned there spots. Philly could have a very young big 3 very soon and it’s up to Fultz to make it happen.