Should the Philadelphia 76ers be concerned with Fultz’ shot selection?

So far this season, Markelle Fultz hasn’t looked comfortable with his jump shot coming off of the bench, but should fans be worried?

The Philadelphia 76ers have gone 0-2 to start the 2017 NBA season, and many of the top players on the team have been up and down so far, with their two rookies who have received the most attention on them have had very different starts, with

Ben Simmons, the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, has already established himself as a potential franchise cornerstone for years to come, whereas Markelle Fultz, the first pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, has struggled while coming off of the bench. And while his stat line doesn’t necessarily tell the truth about the rookie’s game so far, his lack of confidence has been plain to see.

Coming out of the University of Washington, the Huskies’ star combo guard built his reputation on a diverse skill set and the ability to score in a variety of ways. While his slashing abilities are what made him the first overall pick, his jump shot is what will ultimately define the longevity of his NBA career, and right now, said shot has been virtually nonexistent.

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Against the Washington Wizards, Fultz ended the game with 10 points on 5 of 9 shooting, but the vast majority of his points came off of wide open layups set up by his speed. It’s great to see him make these plays look easy, but if his jump shot doesn’t come along soon, opposing defenses will adjust.

In the 76ers’ game two loss to the Boston Celtics, Fultz’ struggles continued, shooting 2 of 9 from the field for only six points. While almost every Sixer struggled in the game, only Fultz pulled off a highlight this frightening:

Even though Fultz could still very well become a star in the league, the Sixers shouldn’t feel the need to rush Fultz into the starting lineup before he’s ready. The Sixers need a guard with a solid jump shot to compliment Simmons’ slashing ability. I understand Jerryd Bayless has his flaws and is better suited for a bench role, but he’s performing well enough as a solid stopgap to allow Fultz to develop his jump shot from the bench.

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Through the first two games of the season, the 76ers are showing the mouthwatering potential that many of these young stars bring, but gelling together as a unit takes time. In the past, Fultz shown an impressive ability to score using his silky smooth jumper but if he is going to take the next step in his development as a player he will need to refine his jumper at the pro level.