76ers rookie Markelle Fultz nearing his return to the floor
The Philadelphia 76ers are inching closer and closer to the return of number one overall pick Markelle Fultz. The Washington products shoulder injury threatened to end his rookie campaign early. Now it appears he’ll be back in the mix sooner rather than later.
According to Mike O’Connor of The Athletic, Fultz is getting closer, but there’s still no timetable for when he’ll get back on the floor for the 76ers.
Colangelo on Fultz: "The soreness is completely gone. The muscle imbalance is completely gone."
Says there's no timeline on his return, but "we anticipate that the end is near."
— Mike O'Connor (@MOConnor_NBA) December 8, 2017
Fultz hasn’t seen the floor since the opening month of the season in October. The shoulder injury was affecting his shooting drastically when he was able to be on the floor for Philadelphia. This was a serious cause for concern as it even impacted his form, especially at the free throw line.
Before being ruled out indefinitely with the shoulder issue, Fultz played in only four games of his rookie season. The highly-touted rookie was shooting 33.3 percent from the floor and an ugly 50 percent from the charity stripe.
Eastern Conference
Fultz averaged 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game during that short time on the floor earlier this season. Since his departure, the 76ers have played well. Ben Simmons emerged as the clear favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year. Joel Embiid turned into a star attraction in Philadelphia.
If Fultz’s issues don’t become long-term problems, the 76ers could be the team to watch in the NBA as many believe they may become one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and able to compete with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics in the near future.
As of right now, the 76ers have five teams sitting ahead of them in terms of the odds to win the East this season. That could easily change if Fultz returns and is the player the team expects he will be.
