Matisse Thybulle is well-known as one of the best overall defenders in the league. He made the All-Defensive second team at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. There’s no doubt that he’s an impactful player that can even bother superstars with his length and defensive ability.
While nobody questions his defense, there are times when Matisse Thybulle is a liability on the offensive end. Doc Rivers has even admitted that Matisse Thybulle has to be “dynamic defensively every night” as it is “hard to play him” if his defense isn’t at its peak every game. Justin Grasso of Sports Illustrated relayed the news.
“The number one thing is he has to do is be dynamic defensively every night,” said Rivers following Monday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets. “Because if he isn’t, then it’s hard to play him. It’s the same thing with an offensive player. I had Lou Williams. If Lou Williams didn’t score, why would I have him on the floor, right? So just look at that in reverse.”
Rivers believes that Thybulle’s defense alone is enough to keep him on the court when it’s at its best. But if he’s struggling on that side, then he could become unplayable at times. To think Thybulle might lose his spot in Philly’s rotation if he can’t get it together offensively by the postseason would be a stretch.
But if there are long stretches in the playoffs where the Sixers need to count on their offense more than anything, the third-year wing could spend a lot of time spectating as the Sixers continue to rely on him defensively more than anything.
The Philadelphia 76ers clearly value Matisse Thybulle as a player, and there’s no doubt that he has a useful skillset. Hopefully, he develops well offensively in the future, to where he can be passable from range and perhaps add some interior finishing.
There is little question that the Philadelphia 76ers are among the favorites to win the championship. Some have even compared their duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden to Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They are a well-rounded team, with a good amount of talent. Perhaps this is the year they make a Finals run.
