Markelle Fultz's story with the Philadelphia 76ers is fascinating, but Joel Embiid sympathizes with his Sixers teammate because he went through something similar early in his NBA career.
Joel Embiid was not always a sure thing and just like Markelle Fultz, he struggled through his own injury woes early.
“I went through the same thing and I know what it feels like,” Embiid told Candace Buckner of the Washington Post. “I can see myself and I know he’s going to put in the work and come back and prove them wrong — just like I did.”
At this point, proving his doubters wrong is the only thing Fultz can do. He can't take back his rookie season or try to make up for what has already happened. However, he can move forward and try to follow in Embiid's footsteps.
Fultz's issues are physical, but there is definitely something going on behind the curtain as well. There is wide speculation that this is a mental issue as much as it is a physical one. Embiid, though, wouldn't discuss any possible personal issue Fultz is dealing with.
“I don’t talk about it. That’s none of my business,” the center said. “I just know that he’s a great person. He comes in every day, does his job and tries to make the team better. He’s a great guy. Everybody around loves him. I love him personally but that’s his business. I don’t want to get into the whole family thing.”
That's a smart move from Embiid. There's no need for him to comment on a situation like that. Furthermore, his teammate needs all the support he can get if he's going to snap out of this funk.
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