Markelle Fultz’s recovery echoes how the NBA must change approach to injuries

Changing the culture

Markelle Fultz’s situation is not too dissimilar to Kevin Durant’s.

Durant was practicing and ramping up for a return while others called for him to “suck it up” when he was not medically cleared or ready to return.

Fultz was playing through his TOS diagnosis, but not effectively and not to the level he knows he can. He is going through his paces and tried to work out with the Orlando Magic throughout their playoff run working toward an eventual comeback.

Fultz never had the immediacy to return that Durant did.

The Magic still will not put a timetable for Fultz’s return. Nor have they provided much of an update of his progress. Nor do they need to outside of tempering public expectations. Fans are still excited to see what Fultz looks like when he returns. But it is unclear when that will be.

And it should remain unclear until Fultz, his doctors and the Magic’s doctors all feel comfortable with ramping up to that next step. It has been a long process for sure, but that process is still important to go through.

Durant wanted to play and could still play somewhat effectively when he did get the clearance to come back. All indications were that he was as healthy as he could be. His Achilles injury may be a case of bad timing rather than anything else.

Golden State Warriors

But it is often in rushing back from injuries that these injuries can get worse.

Grant Hill, for instance, constantly re-injured his ankle out of a desire to live up to his contract and help his team as quickly as possible. He nearly died on the operating table after a staph infection following one of his surgeries.

If the Magic had insisted he take his time coming back and not try to play until he was 100 percent, they might have been able to get a lot more out of him and see him return to his star status.

Then again, it is probably Hill as much as anyone pushing to come back sooner. The NBA has gotten a lot better with medical decisions and understanding the value of rest in recovery. This is something that must continue to evolve.

The decisions Kawhi Leonard and Markelle Fultz have made to ensure their long-term health should receive more respect.

It is impossible for outside observers to judge medical decisions any individual makes. Sports culture has made it so that people do ultimately judge players for these decisions. Sometimes harshly.

We glorify those who gut through injuries even to their own detriment. There is something admirable in that sacrifice to support the team.

Universally, everyone respected Durant for playing in Monday’s game. He gave it his all and paid the ultimate price. Players always want to play and slowing down with the stakes so high is always difficult.

Each player should be granted their own medical decisions. No one should feel pressure to play before they are ready. Every player — and them alone really — should be in charge of when they play.

If there is a lesson each team, each fan and each player should take from Durant’s injury, it is that they are ultimately in control of their health and their careers. It is their responsibility to understand the risks and do what is best for them.

The NBA must change its culture to understand this first and foremost.