Since being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, Matisse Thybulle has been playing elite two-way basketball.
In college, Matisse Thybulle was a defensive monster for the Washington Huskies. He was a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year; he is only the second player in Pac-12 history to accomplish that feat (Gary Payton II).
Thybulle seemed poised to be a top-level defender in the NBA, but his offense was a major concern. As a senior, Thybulle averaged 3.5 steals and 2.3 blocks, but he shot only 30.5 percent from three. In addition, he was averaging a meager 1.8 two-point field goals per game. Prior to the 2019 NBA Draft, I wrote the following about Thybulle:
He has the potential to be an elite NBA defender and is averaging a whopping 3.5 steals per game at Washington. I would not be surprised to see him develop into an Andre Roberson type. Nevertheless, Thybulle’s offense is a huge question mark.
There were some signs of promise, though. He was an 85.1 percent free throw shooter, and as a sophomore, he caught fire shooting 40.5 from three.
Thybulle was selected 20th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, and the returns were mixed. Unsurprisingly, he made an immediate defensive impact. In his second season, he was an All-Defensive second team selection. He led the NBA with 3.9 steals per 100 possessions, and his 2.6 blocks per 100 possessions led all non-centers. Unfortunately, his shooting numbers were abysmal. He shot 30.1 percent from three and 44.4 percent from the free-throw line (tied for the worst in the NBA, minimum 20 games). In the playoffs, defenses backed off him, daring him to shoot.
Thybulle’s third season followed a similar pattern. He played elite defense and was named to the All-Defensive second team. However, he shot 31.3 percent from three in the regular season and 28.6 percent from three in the postseason.
In the middle of his fourth season, Thybulle appeared to be a known commodity; he was reminiscent of a young Tony Allen. He was a top-level defender who could not make a big impact offensively. In the playoffs, he could get a big stop, but he also could be a floor-spacing problem. So, the 76ers traded him at the deadline to the Portland Trail Blazers. Then, something happened…
Blazers: Matisse Thybulle is finally a 3-and-D player
Since being traded to the Blazers, Thybulle has looked like a new player. He is shooting 40.4 percent from three, and he is taking 4.3 attempts per game, which is nearly double his previous career high. He is not only an efficient shooter, but he is confident. He no longer looks hesitant or passive.
Thybulle spoke about his increased confidence in shooting the ball. He said the following via Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire:
“Having that belief, too, and also just at that point, too it was just like a belief. Like he [Chauncey Billups] saw something in me that wasn’t showing up in the numbers. So, to have that kind of support from your head coach and then also like having known Damian [Lillard] for a while, knowing that I had that support from him, too. I think it just allowed for me to step into that role a little bit more seamlessly.”
In Portland, Thybulle is getting wide open looks, playing alongside Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Jerami Grant; all three of those players average more than 20 points per game. Since the trade, 43 out of his 47 three-point attempts have been categorized as “wide open” (closest defender is 6ft+ away). That trend should continue.
Thybulle’s defense has remained elite, as well. Opposing players are shooting 26.9 percent from three when defended by Thybulle. This highlight block on CJ McCollum is ridiculous:
Thybulle’s two-way presence has elevated the Blazers. Since the deal, he has a team-high 4.2 net rating. In the past, the Blazers have struggled to put two-way wings alongside Lillard. When they made the Conference Finals in 2019, their primary wings were Maurice Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu. If Thybulle continues to play at this level, the Blazers will be a dangerous team in the Western Conference.