Fansided

5 wild overreactions to every NBA team’s first game in 2018-19

By Bryan Toporek

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers argues with referee Brian Forte #45 in the second quarter of their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on October 18, 2018 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers argues with referee Brian Forte #45 in the second quarter of their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on October 18, 2018 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 18: Head coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Markelle Fultz #20 in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center on October 18, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 127-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 18: Head coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Markelle Fultz #20 in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center on October 18, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 127-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

4. Markelle Fultz is irreparably broken

No one knew what to expect out of Markelle Fultz heading into Tuesday night.

After one of the strangest rookie campaigns in recent memory — ravaged by either a shoulder injury or “the yips,” depending on who you ask — Fultz spent the summer working with trainer Drew Hanlen to fix his busted jump shot. He looked more confident throughout an up-and-down preseason than he did last year, but questions about his shooting stroke remained.

Fultz didn’t do much to quell those concerns against Boston, as he finished with only five points on 2-of-7 shooting in 24 minutes. The Celtics took advantage of his refusal to pull the trigger from deep, sagging off of him and sending multiple defenders to swarm Joel Embiid in the post.

So, that’s that, right? Fultz is irreparably broken and was a complete waste of a No. 1 overall pick? He has Anthony Bennett 2.0 written all over him, yes?

Fultz temporarily stymied that narrative Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls, when he hit his first-ever regular-season 3-pointer in a blowout 127-108 win. Though he went only 1-of-6 in the first half, the Washington product wound up leading the team in field-goal attempts on the night (15), and he calmly drained a mid-range pull-up in the waning seconds of garbage time, too.

Roller-coaster performances may be par for the course for Fultz in the early going, as he’s still getting his NBA sea legs after playing less than 300 minutes as a rookie. Though he’s bound to put up more clunkers like he did against Boston, his fourth-quarter showing against Chicago is a stark reminder of what he can provide if he lives up to his potential.

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