That shit was funny. Unapologetically funny.

The debate over the forces behind such a terrible attempt at the easiest shot in basketball sees you fall somewhere on the spectrum between a bad shoulder injury or a completely broken mental game. The answer, as it usually does, probably lies somewhere in between. A real injury who’s power on the inflicted is growing stronger with the growing awareness of it.

Most reasonable fans know this, whether they will say it out loud or not during a basketball roast session or simple talk. So why does “mainstream” basketball media contribute to this 20 year old’s struggles? People who know far better, like Scottie Pippen and Stephen A Smith calling a second year pro a “colossal bust” has real life implications in that it fuels the evident self doubt that has soaked into Fultz’s psyche.

But, basketball is entertainment. Fultz will likely be set for life, generationally, no matter what happens with this mystery injury. Pippen and Smith ridiculing him generates far more interest, therefore far more money to the self sustaining basketball money making machine than if Scottie were to publicly support the Sixers guard. That wouldn’t even make a headline.

When having conversations about Fultz, let’s remember that he’s a twenty year old kid with plenty of time to get back on track. Why root on his demise? Other than having a (weirdly) overly protective mother he’s done nothing to deserve this vicious circle of suffering through an injury, real or imagined. Media coverage akin to Fultz’s won’t change for the better until we stop giving it attention, but we may be a while off.