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The re-invention of Markelle Fultz' shot mechanics had started long before his reported muscular imbalance developed into a shoulder strain, which has plagued him for the entire NBA season.
According to Derek Bodner of The Athletic, Keith Williams, a longtime trainer, confidant, and family friend was responsible for tinkering with his shot, hoping to “quicken his shot, eliminate the dip in his shooting mechanics and bring his set point over to the right side of his body.”
The 19-year-old Fultz averaged 23.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game at the University of Washington, shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 41.3 percent on 126 3-point attempts during his lone season in college, staking his case as the consensus top prospect in the NBA Draft.
Unlike his counterpart Lonzo Ball, there had been no concerns regarding his shooting motion, release, or his form, aside from a less-desirable 65 percent from the free-throw line — a consistency that was expected to change with the rigor of daily practice and routine under NBA coaching.
Article Continues Below“Williams is no stranger to grooming NBA prospects, having worked extensively with the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant, Lonny Baxter, Marcus Thornton and many more. Reached by The Athletic, Williams denied having made significant changes to Fultz's shot since he left Washington. Williams does acknowledge they have worked on what he said were a few minor alterations, including limiting the dip at the beginning of his shooting motion.”
Tinkering with a few things on his shot has somehow expanded into not only a re-calibration but almost a near complete re-invention of his mechanics, now very obviously releasing close to his shooting shoulder than the middle of his body, as he did in college.
The soreness in his shoulder was first reported on Oct. 5 after he sat out a practice with muscular discomfort, at a time in which Williams had continued helping Fultz work on those little changes in his shot.
Fultz has played in only the opening four games of this season after hitting only six of his first 12 free throws in the league, still yet to attempt a single 3-pointer after being one of the top marksmen in the country from long-range.
Even if there were some fixes to make Fultz into the perfect rookie — if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
