Markelle Fultz's newest shooting form isn't pretty

Zach Pereles
Markelle Fultz hasn’t played since late October and his shooting form keeps getting worse. (AP)
Markelle Fultz hasn’t played since late October and his shooting form keeps getting worse. (AP)

Joel Embiid is an All Star starter. Ben Simmons is a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. If the NBA playoffs started today, the 76ers, at 22-21, would be in them. “The Process” seems to be working.

And then there’s Markelle Fultz.

Philadelphia moved up in the draft last summer to take the University of Washington product No. 1 overall. But he’s played in just four regular season games, sidelined by a shoulder injury that’s been shrouded in mystery since late October.

While it’s believed Fultz is taking steps toward returning, the team has given no sort of timetable. On Wednesday afternoon, though, more video of Fultz’s new shooting form surfaced, as tweeted out by Jon Johnson.

Fultz knocked down three of four from the line, with one shot going well right and barely catching iron. But the results aren’t what catches anyone’s eye. It’s the shooting form. Ever since he went down with the shoulder injury, Fultz’s shooting form has changed drastically. In the above video, he has a severe hitch as he raises on the release.

Here’s what the shot looked like when he starred last year for the Huskies:

And here he is about a week and a half ago:

The Sixers have been very quiet about Fultz’s injury, rehab and progress, even as he’s returned to practice. Even his own coach, Brett Brown, is baffled.

Fultz’s health and shooting form remain mysteries as the Sixers await his return.