The Sixers drafted Matisse Thybulle in the 2019 Draft as a four year starter at Washington. During his time in college, Thybulle was known as a stellar defender, he was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in his senior year and averaged more than three steals per game. Nobody really expected very much out of Thybulle in his first year, but his defensive prowl immediately translated to the NBA making the Sixers organization and their fans think that they might have something in their 20th overall pick if they could develop him on the offensive side of the ball.
Thybulle after three full seasons and now into his fourth has proven time and time again that he is one of the best defenders in the entire league. In limited minutes, Thybulle received defensive player of the year votes in 2020 but the only issue is that Thybulle gives the team virtually nothing on offense. If Thybulle could become a league average three point shooter he would be one of the most valuable pieces on the entire team.
Thybulle’s best year shooting from beyond the arch came in his rookie season where he shot 35%. The Sixers forward has shot 30% in his second year, 31% in his third year, and has struggled entering his fourth season as he is currently only shooting 20%. The odd part is, Thybulle’s shot does not actually look that bad, he is just not hitting the shots he is taking.
Make no mistake about it, Matisse Thybulle is by no means on the floor for his offense. Thybulle is a fill in starter on one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference strictly based on his defense, anything you get from him offensively is gravy. It just seems that whatever Thybulle is doing over the offseason and over the course of the season is just not working. Thybulle could earn himself a ton of money if not from the Sixers from somewhere else if he can establish a half way decent offensive game. He would instantly become one of the top three & D players in the NBA.
It’s not entirely clear what Thybulle’s future is with the Sixers, it’s a shame for a fan favorite it may not be with the team that drafted him, but he will stick around in the NBA for a long time just based on his defensive ability. There is so much more potential in Thybulle than he is currently showing, it’s just a matter of unlocking it.
