Fultz wants to be coached hard on defense by 76ers coaches
The Sixers' top pick wants harsh criticism as he works on defense in the team's Las Vegas summer league trip.
LAS VEGAS — Markelle Fultz want to be coached hard on his defense at the NBA Summer League.
"I want criticism that's going to make me better as a player to help this team," the 76ers' first overall pick said following Friday's practice at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. "So once you step out here in Vegas, I'm working on my defense."
Fultz wants to keep his opponent in front of him, get through screens and show overall defensive toughness when the Sixers open play against the Golden State Warriors at 10:30 p.m. Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.
And to Fultz's delight, Sixers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce will be critiquing his every move.
"He's a competitor," said Pierce, the head coach of the summer league team. "So if you're a competitor and you're as talented as he is … if he hears something you see his competitive side come out."
Fultz had a knack for recovering and blocking shots at the rim when opponents blew past him at DeMatha Catholic High School and his lone season at the University of Washington. He did the same thing while blocking three shots in Monday's 89-88 loss to the Boston Celtics at the Utah Jazz Summer League in Salt Lake City.
He wasn't as successful in a 100-94 loss to the host Jazz on Wednesday. Fultz learned it is a big differences in guarding three-year pros such as Dante Exum than guarding players in college and high school.
"Here, everybody is skilled," he said. "Any given day, you're going to get blown by. Everybody can pass you. Everybody can score the ball."
So, for Fultz, it's a matter of being more mentally locked in and not looking back on screens. He's looking forward to the challenge of guarding the players in front of him here in Vegas.
Roster moves
The Sixers picked up French center Mouhammadou Jaiteh for their summer-league team. He replaces former Villanova forward Darryl Reynolds, who was with the team in Utah.
The 6-foot-11 Jaiteh played for SIG Strasbourg of the French LNB Pro A league last season. He learned that he would join the team Thursday night while in Houston. Jaiteh joined the team Friday shortly after practice started.
Lessort works out
Mathias Lessort is here in Las Vegas working out with the Sixers. The team selected him 50th overall in last month's NBA draft. He is not scheduled to play in the games. The French power forward/center is expected to play overseas this upcoming season instead of playing for the Sixers.