Markelle Fultz

[Mainstreet]

I'm not sure if there is much interest in this, but I thought we could go through the draft examining each player with the assistance of the DraftExpress mock or any other information source. Every day or two we can examine a different player using suggested draft order as a guideline although it need not be exact.
Hopefully this can be fun.

So I going to start off by examining Markelle Fultz. Below are some comments about him from DraftExpress. Please feel free to offer any comments or video you have concerning the player.

Fultz is a tantalizingly gifted shot-creator, sporting an extraordinary combination of body control, ball-handling, footwork and pace. He changes speeds, directions and uses both hands innately, spinning off opponents, splitting ball-screens frequently, and finishing with euro-steps. He combines his ability to get wherever he wants on the floor with outstanding shot-making prowess off the dribble, making 42% of his pull-up jumpers on the season, with his 1.02 PPP ranking second best among draft prospects. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Markelle-Fultz-90302/ ©DraftExpress

As good as Fultz is on the ball, he also has significant potential operating alongside another ball-handler with his excellent size, length and frame, giving his future NBA coach plenty of lineup flexibility. He made 38% of catch and shoot jumpers on the season according to Synergy, and even shows some budding ability to come off screens and rise up smoothly to create separation. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Markelle-Fultz-90302/ ©DraftExpress

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Markelle-Fultz-90302/

Here is some preseason video:

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It's hard not to get excited by him especially since he can play beside another PG.

 

[TEAMPETE]

Unconditional number one pick! Guy is going to be a super star. He will change the outlook of this franchise. Fultz, Booker and Chriss. Should be an awesome trio. Trade Bled for something and we are set.

 

[3rdside]

Unconditional number one pick! Guy is going to be a super star. He will change the outlook of this franchise. Fultz, Booker and Chriss. Should be an awesome trio. Trade Bled for something and we are set.

Have you seen Ball's TS% and assist numbers?

 

[pokerface]

I just read in a round table discussion of sports journalists that if you get the number pick and don't take Fultz there is basically something wrong. One of them said that in a half court game his passing is as good as Ball's. But this same person said that Jackson would be a better fit for the suns so go figure.

 

[TEAMPETE]

Have you seen Ball's TS% and assist numbers?

Yes and I would be ecstatic with Ball too. I think Fultz is a step above Ball but not by too much. Also, I've seen some info showing that's Fultz has just as good or better assist stats due to the lack of good players around him in college. If Fultz had the same cast as Ball at Washington his assist numbers would look amazing I think.

 

[Finito]

Ball, Fultz, Jackson any of them makes me very very happy at the end of the day.

Fultz just looks so pro ready.

 

[Mainstreet]

What excites me about Fultz is that he can create his own shot and get to anywhere he wants on the court. Also he can play above the rim. Fultz and Booker could be a deadly combination. Actually I think Fultz, Bledsoe and Booker could be a lethal combination. Fultz might be what McDonough had in mind when they traded for Knight. The problem of course is how do the Suns not upset team chemistry at the guard position. Of course the Suns have Ulis as well.

If Fultz is as good as he is on paper and workouts, I think the Suns have to draft him if they get the #1 pick then worry about the rest later.

 

[pokerface]

What excites me about Fultz is that he can create his own shot and get to anywhere he wants on the court. Also he can play above the rim. Fultz and Booker could be a deadly combination. Actually I think Fultz, Bledsoe and Booker could be a lethal combination. Fultz might be what McDonough had in mind when they traded for Knight. The problem of course is how do the Suns not upset team chemistry at the guard position. Of course the Suns have Ulis as well.

If Fultz is as good as he is on paper and workouts, I think the Suns have to draft him if they get the #1 pick then worry about the rest later.

If Fultz gets drafted by the suns then Bledsoe will get his walking papers IMO. I don't see enough ball to go around with Booker, Bled, Fultz and then Chris and Warren needing touches too.

The thing I like about drafting Jackson is he doesn't need the ball as much to be effective and we don't need to trade Bledsoe if Jackson gets drafted.

 

[Mainstreet]

I just read in a round table discussion of sports journalists that if you get the number pick and don't take Fultz there is basically something wrong. One of them said that in a half court game his passing is as good as Ball's. But this same person said that Jackson would be a better fit for the suns so go figure.

I think that journalist must have been looking at need versus BPA.

 

[Mainstreet]

If Fultz gets drafted by the suns then Bledsoe will get his walking papers IMO. I don't see enough ball to go around with Booker, Bled, Fultz and then Chris and Warren needing touches too.

The thing I like about drafting Jackson is he doesn't need the ball as much to be effective and we don't need to trade Bledsoe if Jackson gets drafted.

I think one has to go BPA at #1 or trade down unless Jackson is graded the same or higher than Fultz or Ball.

We do agree about touches being a possible problem.

 

[Finito]

I think Jackson will be the number one target by the time the draft comes around. The Suns really have to make some moves if they take Fultz or Ball you can't carry that many PGs it's just ridiculous at that points.

I keep Ulis and let Bled and Knight go. I think you can package Bled/Warren or Bender and a future 1 for something nice if it is Jackson. Like it's been brought up before you can only have so much young talent.

You get whatever you can for Knight and I mean whatever you can

 

[AZCrazy]

What is your dream Suns lineup for next season then? Part of the answer to that question is whether Len or anyone you put at the 5 is someone that will plat a significant role for the team. With budding superstars then at the 1, 2, and 4.

Trade Chandler, Knight, Bledsoe for a high quality center.

Start Fultz, Booker, Chriss, Warren, and *center to be named later. Or just keep Len. He's only still in his early 20's and just about to come into his prime. He may grow with these guys into just the serviceable mortar the skill players need.

Having backups like Williams, Ulis, and Bender is nice upside as well.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

What is your dream Suns lineup for next season then? Part of the answer to that question is whether Len or anyone you put at the 5 is someone that will plat a significant role for the team. With budding superstars then at the 1, 2, and 4.

Trade Chandler, Knight, Bledsoe for a high quality center.

Start Fultz, Booker, Chriss, Warren, and *center to be named later. Or just keep Len. He's only still in his early 20's and just about to come into his prime. He may grow with these guys into just the serviceable mortar the skill players need.

Having backups like Williams, Ulis, and Bender is nice upside as well.

This actually raises a good point. With that lineup you almost need a center who doesn't require touches. A defensive/rebounding machine who gets put-backs and can get the occasional dunk is perfect as that quartet (fultz, Booker, TJ, and Chriss) are all going to need touches and will generate all the offense we would hopefully need. If Len could focus on those two chores and do them well enough he's an important part of the core of this team. Noel, if healthy, would probably have been the perfect fit for this squad.

 

[hsandhu]

If gambo is right, that ball is suns number 1 pick, it is almost impossible fultz will be with the suns.

Only if lakers get 1, they'll take ball, and suns and 2 take fultz. Not sure how many other teams take ball 1.

 

[Yuma]

I am leaning Fultz. Both guys shoot and pass well. DEFENSE is the key I think. Fultz looks to me like he will be a better defender. Alongside Booker, that may be better for the Suns. Both Fultz and Booker are known for chasing guys down on defense. That would make a lot of teams nervous when they fast break against us, if you have two chase down defenders in your back court.

 

[3rdside]

Yes and I would be ecstatic with Ball too. I think Fultz is a step above Ball but not by too much. Also, I've seen some info showing that's Fultz has just as good or better assist stats due to the lack of good players around him in college. If Fultz had the same cast as Ball at Washington his assist numbers would look amazing I think.

Roger that on the assists - the difference in team FG% b/w Washington and UCLA is remarkable:

UCLA FG % with Ball = .522% (1210 / 2320)
UCLA FG% without Ball = .516% (1021 / 1977)
Ball FG% = .551% (189 / 343)


Washington FG% with Fultz = .448% (874 / 1950)
Washington FG% without Fultz = .440% (665 / 1511)
Fultz FG% = .476% ( 209 / 439)

So yes, there is merit to what you're saying, Fultz's assist numbers would be higher on another team.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Fultz is my top choice and it isn't close.

 

[3rdside]

Their individual shooting stats are worth looking at:

Ball 2pt% = .731% (109 / 149)
Ball 3pt% = .412% (80 / 194)
Ball FG% = .551% (189 / 343)

Ball TS% = .683%


Fultz 2pt% = .502 ( 157 / 313)
Fultz 3pt% = .413% (52 / 126)
Fultz FG% = .476% (209 / 439)

Fultz TS% = .558%


- Ball 2pt% is spectacular because he's got excellent driving ability for the layup and excellent timing on cutting and alley-ooping. I think I'm right in saying he doesn't shoot mid range much; it's layups or 3's.
- Ball 3pt% is very good and he takes many from well behind the 3pt line, so he's got NBA range.
- Ball TS% is outstanding even with only .673% FT (66 / 98)


- Fultz 2pt% is good in it's own right and probably would be better if he was taking less, but better, shots if he could pass to better team mates.
- Fultz 3pt% is very good, although it's hard to say if he's got NBA range but I wouldn't doubt it.
- Fultz TS% is good in it's own right even with only .649% FT (109 / 168)

Fultz shows the makings of an outstanding player no doubt, but has there ever been guard with that high a TS%?

That can't be ignored imo when comparing the two.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

The problem with the above percentages is that Ball's ugly shooting motion has people seriously concerned about his ability to shoot off the dribble, something he didn't really do in college. In fact, he is incapable of going to his right.

This doesn't exist with Fultz, who has shown to be a skilled shooter at a myriad of shots.

 

[mojorizen7]

Fultz is my top choice and it isn't close.

This.

 

[3rdside]

The problem with the above percentages is that Ball's ugly shooting motion has people seriously concerned about his ability to shoot off the dribble, something he didn't really do in college. In fact, he is incapable of going to his right.

This doesn't exist with Fultz, who has shown to be a skilled shooter at a myriad of shots.

Style is irrelevant, and whether it's essential Ball has to shoot off the dribble could be open to debate...What's wrong with shooting 3's and layups? It seems to fit perfectly the direction of the NBA, that is higher efficiency shots.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Today's NBA. Out score the other team. Take Fultz

 

[3rdside]

I suspect the NBA has always been about outscoring the other team, it probably applies to other sports as well.

A team of five players playing together e.g. Houston, should beat a team of five players with one or two all-stars e.g. OKC.

Fultz is more like Westbrook, Ball (from a facilitating perspective) is more like Harden (although really he's more like Kidd, I hope you see my point).

I know who I want on my team.

 

[Carolinacacti]

I suspect the NBA has always been about outscoring the other team, it probably applies to other sports as well.

A team of five players playing together e.g. Houston, should beat a team of five players with one or two all-stars e.g. OKC.

Fultz is more like Westbrook, Ball (from a facilitating perspective) is more like Harden (although really he's more like Kidd, I hope you see my point).

I know who I want on my team.

I was not a fan of Kid. Not a fan of Harden. I know who I want on my team

 

[3rdside]

Glad we are all firm on where we stand then