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This week in Philly sports: Markelle Fultz and Jayson Tatum, Gritty’s debut, and everything else you missed

Here's what you might have missed this week in Philadelphia sports.

Sixers guard Markelle Fultz tries to drive past Celtics wing Jayson Tatum during their rookie seasons.
Sixers guard Markelle Fultz tries to drive past Celtics wing Jayson Tatum during their rookie seasons.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Eagles fans are breathing easier, Sixers fans are gearing up, and the Flyers faithful are still talking about Gritty.

Here's what you might have missed this week in Philadelphia sports.

Markelle Fultz and Jayson Tatum … Friends? Enemies? Frenemies?

Markelle Fultz and Jayson Tatum will be connected the rest of their careers. But, as it turns out, this connection started earlier than June 2017 and is deeper than the Sixers-Celtics rivalry they've been adopted into.

They go back, and their friendship transcends the Sixers rivalry, writes Sarah Todd.

Plus, Sixers' rookie Landry Shamet is exceeding early expectations with his smooth shooting making him a valuable option as a floor spacer. Keith Pompey talked to the Wichita State graduate about what makes him a solid fit. 

Inverse Odell

The Eagles had a quintessential bounce-back game against the Giants on Thursday night football. They fought their way back to .500, won their first division game, and now have the most wins in the NFC East.

During the Eagles' return to form, Odell Beckham — who took not-so-subtle shots at his team and his quarterback this week — had his share of distractions on the sideline. He headed for his locker for halftime as the Giants' offense was still on the field and was seen shadow boxing a cooling fan while yelling at it.

Mike Sielski writes how the Eagles' high-priced No. 1 receiver is the "anti-Odell." 

Stumbling Scotty

Phillies rookie Scott Kingery had an up-and-down season after signing a six-year, $24 million contract before the start of the season.

He recounted his 'daily struggle' to find his swing to Phillies beat writer Scott Lauber.

Help is Coming

The Flyers' start to the season has been so-so. They followed up a big win against the Vegas Golden Knights with back-to-back deflating blowout losses to the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks. But, their promising farm system has granted them a luxury.

Let Mike Sielski explain why Oskar Lindblom and Mikhail Vorobyev's sudden progress gives the Flyers hope.

And, of course, Gritty made his regular-season, home-opener debut about as memorable as the rest of his rollout.

Ernst Goes to Philly

The Union welcomed their new sporting director, Ernst Tanner, to the team's headquarters this week. He is replacing Earnie Stewart, who left the club earlier this year to become general manager of the United States Men's National Team.

Jonathan Tannenwald details what Tanner likes about the team, and what he hopes to do moving forward.

Also, how does Union coach Jim Curtin — who is currently on a one-year contract — feel about the arrival of Tanner?