Markelle Fultz on Relationship with Sixers Fans: ‘I Always Felt Love When I Was There’

Many people believe the Philadelphia fans didn't treat former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz fairly.

But that's not the case, just ask him.

Appearing with former NBA player Etan Thomas on 'The Rematch' podcast, which focuses on athlete love-hate relationship between players and the media, Fultz was asked about his relationship with the Sixers fans during his time in Philadelphia.

Here is what Fultz said:

"I didnt feel like hated or anything, I felt very loved, even from the fans.  I like a lot of people get confused because they hear people in the media about how the fans treated me bad, but I never felt like the fans treated me bad. I felt like they always showed love when I was in the game, they were very supportive. I got standing ovation when I came back. I understand the Philly love. They die and breath their team.  They are going to get on you if your doing bad and they going to love you if you're doing good. That's kinda how my mom raised me, tough love. That never bothered me, I always felt love when I was there."

Fultz's stay in Philadelphia was disappointing and short.

When you add in that the Sixers traded a first-round pick to flip spots with the Boston Celtics, who ended up taking Jayson Tatum, one of the top players in the league.

Fultz on the other hand had a bizarre stay with the Sixers that included mysterious injuries, a a variety of other off-court distractions that resulted in the Sixers dealing him to Orlando.

During his time with the Sixers he averaged just 7.7 points, 3.4 assists per game and connected on just .26.7% from three-point range. He tore his ACL last season, so he has yet to appear this season for Orlando, but with the Magic, he has averaged 12.2 points per game and 5.2 assists.

While it doesn't appear that he will reach the level of player that people saw at the University of Washington, that made him the No. 1 overall prospect and pick in the 2017 draft, he has turned himself into a solid role player and is just 23-years old.