Former Sixers Standout Getting Odd Push for Yearly Award
Former Philadelphia 76ers standout Matisse Thybulle is putting together an odd campaign.
In the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Matisse Thybulle. While his game was limited on the offensive end, he was extremely impactful on the other end. Despite what he could do on defense, the Sixers made the decision to move Thybulle at the 2023 trade deadline.
Now, with the Portland Trail Blazers, Thybulle is still a high-level defensive talent. After making two All-Defense teams in Philly, the young forward is getting an odd push to land the accolade again.
In hopes of getting Thybulle All-Defense votes this year, the Trail Blazers decided to run an odd promotion. They sent a gift to all voters by sending a tin full of cookies. However, instead of nutritional facts, Thybulle’s defensive stats were listed.
Thybulle, 27, is wrapping up his first full season with the Blazers. He is averaging 5.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.7 SPG, and 0.8 BPG.
Part of why the Sixers moved on from Thybulle was because of his offensive shortcomings. Since he couldn’t stretch the defense as a shooter, it made life tougher for Joel Embiid on that end of the floor. When Thybulle first got dealt, it looks like his three-point shot was coming around. However, he regressed back to around his average this season.
In 22 games following the trade, Thybulle shot 38.8% from deep on close to four attempts per game. This season, he shot 34.6% on a similar volume.
Even with his one-sided play, Thybulle still managed to secure a lucrative deal in free agency. Over the summer, he signed a three-year, $33 million deal to stay in Portland.
