Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle is known as one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA. He comes in and gives the Sixers a big lift when they need to shut down an opponent or when the team goes to a zone defense and they can use his length.
However, his offensive game has always been a hindrance when it comes to keeping him on the floor. He shot 26.2% from deep in the first half of the season and 36.8% overall. That was not good enough to justify giving him a large number of minutes, no matter how great of a defender he is.
In the three games to begin the second half of the season, Thybulle has gotten off to an excellent start offensively, averaging 10.3 points per game and he is 5-for-5 from deep.
“I think he’s getting more comfortable,” said Ben Simmons. “He’s been slashing, he’s been driving to get to the rim. Overall, he’s been great.”
Once the playoffs roll around, Philadelphia will need this to continue. When games get close, the Sixers will want to have him out there to defend the opposition’s best scorer, such as Jayson Tatum or James Harden, as examples. He needs to provide offense as well to keep him out there.
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“It’s so important for us,” said coach Doc Rivers. “We’re going to need him to play in a tight game with him on the floor. We don’t wanna do the offensive substitutions, offense/defense. We need him to be available offensively for us, and he’s starting to do that.”
Thybulle is one of those unique players who can make a big impact on the game without scoring, but if he keeps this recent offensive uptick going, it would be a big difference for the Sixers. He has been terrific for Philadelphia as it embarks on a tough stretch without Joel Embiid.
“Matisse has been huge,” noticed Seth Curry. “He’s gonna give you energy and effort, defensively every time he’s on the floor, but he’s getting better offensively as well. Running the floor, knocking down shots, and when he’s doing that, it brings a whole different element to it.”
While Thybulle is improving on the offensive end, Simmons also acknowledged something about the second-year guard that should scare the opposition.
“Defensively, he continues to get better,” Simmons said with a laugh. “I feel like if he had the amount of minutes as me, he would be the Defensive Player of the Year, easily. He’s great and he’s getting better.”
The Sixers take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday at home.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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