JJ Redick is beyond frustrated. The 76ers have the mantra ‘Trust The Process’ but the media hasn’t been so kind to number one overall pick, Markelle Fultz. The trend in Philly has seen their recent draft picks sit out for an extended period of time where Joel Embiid missed his first two NBA seasons and Ben Simmons sat out for a year. With Fultz set to miss his 48th straight game, teammate JJ Redick has had enough of the negative coverage surrounding the rookie from Washington.
During a practice session, Redick gave the following statement via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer:
#Sixers SG @JJRedick on @MarkelleF and the coverage his shot receives at practice. pic.twitter.com/kahTxDlx2Y
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 9, 2018
“He’s working his [butt] off,” Redick said after Friday’s shootaround. “I understand that fans want to see his progress, but this is maybe going to a longer process than we all hoped for. He may be back on the court soon. I don’t know. That’s not my thing.
“But I don’t get the coming in here every day to like watch him shoot pull-up jumpers. That’s a little obsessive.”
Redick was adamant that he isn’t going to speak for his teammate. Fultz has a bit of the yips, there’s no doubt about it. Fultz isn’t going to speak to the media while he isn’t playing for obvious reasons. Redick is on a one-year deal with Philly worth $23 million. His presence has been vital for a 76ers team that is battling for a playoff spot.
At the end of the day, Redick and his teammates have just been nothing but supportive of Fultz. Redick has seen it all during his 12-years in the NBA, especially coming from the dysfunctional Clippers.
“But we’re all supportive of him,” Redick said. “We all want to see him back on the court and enjoying what he loves to do.”
