Fultz has responded well to the bench, says 76ers coach Brown
Brett Brown praised Markelle Fultz, who missed the last three games of the Philadelphia 76ers after Monday's loss to the Celtics. Boston.
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Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard Markelle Fultz has been "incredible" in accepting his diminished role, according to head coach Brett Brown.
Fultz – taken with the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft – did not play in the last three postseason games of the 76ers because of Brown's decision, losing Monday's 117-101 loss to the Celtics of Boston in one of the semifinals of the Eastern Conference. [19659022] googletag.cmd.push (function () {googletag.display (& # 39; div-gpt-ad-1471939899593-0 & # 39;);});
The 19-year-old missed most of the season recovering from a shoulder injury, and although he played very well in 10 games in March and April, including a triple-double in the season finale, Brown feel more comfortable playing TJ McConnell as substitute star of point guard Ben Simmons.
"Markelle Fultz played 10 games at the end of the season for the year, and TJ played all year and had a tremendous year and we won [16 in a row] and we were winning, we were playing good basketball," Brown said Tuesday.
"I decided to do it because there is a continuation of the growth of a whole year [with McConnell] There is a bit of a physical element that we felt with Miami games [that contributed to the decision] TJ took a place and got it down, we won a series. [19659021] "But it is not something that is not always open to review. I will do whatever it takes to help [Fultz] to help us. We are the key word. "
Brown thinks that playing with McConnell is more experienced in Philadelphia's best interest, but notes that he is also aware of Fultz's feelings.
"The care of Markelle Fultz and her future is always on my mind," Brown said.
However, the coach insisted that Fultz has handled his time on the bench very well.
"I think it's been amazing, coachable and [has had an] amazing spirit," Brown said. "These questions [from media members] that we are going through, my discussion with him is very brief and it is a big blip and he keeps going".
"We just have to play, it's the first game, that's why it's a series." @ BenSimmons25 after Game 1 in Boston. #PhilaUnite x #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/y0o8Y1fQC0
– Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 1, 2018
The 76ers return to Boston for game two against the Celtics on Thursday.