Markelle Fultz Has Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
We all knew something was up with Markelle Fultz. Whether it was physical or mental, something clearly was wrong. Now do I have any idea what Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is? Nope. Google tells me this is something that has shown up in MLB pitchers but I couldn’t find it ever coming up in regards to an NBA player. Truthfully, I think it’s a good thing that Fultz is really hurt. Even though it seems like his agent spent hours on WebMD trying to find something to go with, at least this is something that can be treated. Fultz was too good coming out of college to be completely useless, which is why it’s a little bit of a relief to hear that there is actually something wrong.
Considering the team is trying to trade Fultz, in my mind it becomes a much easier sell to a potential team that his issues are physical and not mental. The potential that Fultz was mentally broken would be a much bigger hurdle for me as a GM, but if this can be fixed with just physical therapy and no surgery, well that has to change some things. Now that we know what the problem is, I have two questions
1). What the hell is going on with the Sixers training staff? Look at their run the last 5ish years or so, it’s been a complete and utter disaster. You’re telling me they couldn’t diagnose this or even consider something close to it? Instead he was medically cleared and Elton Brand went so far to say he was fully healthy. That’s weird, and if I’m a Sixers fan I want everyone fired.
2). How did he get the injury? It’s not like he’s played a ton of basketball, so what gives? I know there’s that rumor on the internet about a dirt bike/motorcycle accident or something along those lines, and that’s a big deal because I’m pretty sure it’s in the CBA that players can’t do stuff like that. There is this clause about Prohibited Activities
The Player and the Team acknowledge and agree that the Player’s participation in certain other activities may impair or destroy his ability and skill as a basketball player, and the Player’s participation in any game or exhibition of basketball other than at the request of the Team may result in injury to him. Accordingly, the Player agrees that he will not, without the written consent of the Team, engage in any activity that a reasonable person would recognize as involving or exposing the participant to a substantial risk of bodily injury including, but not limited to: (i) sky-diving, hang gliding, snow skiing, rock or mountain climbing (as distinguished from hiking), water or jet skiing, whitewater rafting, rappelling, bungee jumping, trampoline jumping, and mountain biking; (ii) any fighting, boxing, or wrestling; (iii) using fireworks or participating in any activity involving firearms or other weapons; (iv) riding on electric scooters or hoverboards; (v) driving or riding on a motorcycle or moped or four-wheeling/off-roading of any kind; (vi) riding in or on any motorized vehicle in any kind of race or racing contest; (vii) operating an aircraft of any kind; (viii) engaging in any other activity excluded or prohibited by or under any insurance policy which the Team procures against the injury, illness or disability to or of the Player, or death of the Player, for which the Player has received written notice from the Team prior to the execution of this Contract; or (ix) participating in any game or exhibition of basketball, football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, or other team sport or competition. If the Player violates this Paragraph 12, he shall be subject to discipline imposed by the Team and/or the Commissioner of the NBA. Nothing contained herein shall be intended to require the Player to obtain the written consent of the Team in order to enable the Player to participate in, as an amateur, the sports of golf, tennis, handball, swimming, hiking, softball, volleyball, and other similar sports that a reasonable person would not recognize as involving or exposing the participant to a substantial risk of bodily injury.
It clearly states you can’t ride a motorcycle and I would think a dirt bike also qualifies. If this is the real reason, do the Sixers get out of his contract? This is potentially a huge deal.
Despite my Celtics fandom, I’ve always had the stance that I want Fultz to be good. I want him to be every bit as good as we all thought he would be when he got drafted as it would potentially make the PHI/BOS matchup an actual rivalry. I was a huge Fultz guy just like everyone else heading into that Draft, and while it’s fun to joke on the internet about his fucked up free throws, at the end of the day you’re an asshole if you aren’t rooting for him to get healthy and figure things out.
What a wild story though.