Some want Matisse Thybulle to join the Philadelphia 76ers’ starting five on a full-time basis. It’s not time yet.
The Philadelphia 76ers struck gold in the 2019 NBA Draft, with Matisse Thybulle rounding into not only an effective player, but a critical piece of the Sixers’ rotation. The Washington product is a one-man blitzkrieg on defense, swooping into passing lanes, engulfing shots at the rim, and dominating more one-on-one possessions than many expected him to.
On a good night, no team has defensive personnel to rival the Sixers. Thybulle has come off the bench for 30 of his 38 NBA appearances, and he still ranks among the league leaders in steals and deflections, especially on a per-minute basis. He averages 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks per 36, for example.
In the absence of Joel Embiid, Thybulle has drawn the starting nod in recent weeks. The results have been positive — next to Ben Simmons, he gives Philadelphia two agents of chaos to start and finish games. The fourth quarter in Brooklyn Monday night was a prime example of Simmons and Thybulle’s collective potential.
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Given the recent success of Thybulle and the season-long disappointment of a certain 33-year-old free agent signing, some have clamored for Thybulle to join the starting five on a full-time basis, even when Embiid (and Josh Richardson) are healthy.
I’m here the pump the breaks a bit.
The optics of benching Al Horford are bad enough. He’s due $97-109 million over four years, he’s a multi-time All-Star, and the Sixers parted with both Jimmy Butler and J.J. Redick to put him on the roster. He has struggled, yes, but to start the 20th overall pick over Horford in year one is a gutting admission of failure.
Thing is, even as a staunch proponent of searching for trade options in relation to Horford, I’m not sure it’s time to admit failure. There have been flashes of vintage Horford, especially during this recent stretch of non-Embiid games. He will need to find a place next to Embiid come playoff time, but for now, positives are positives.
If you bench Horford, the only avenue to real change — in terms of how the lineup looks and feels, at least — is to drastically decrease his playing time. If Horford comes off the bench as a “sixth man” but still plays 30 minutes a night, he will still spend time next to Embiid. You are just pairing the combo at different points in the game.
The Sixers have already staggered Embiid and Horford whenever possible. That is and will continue to be the approach, whether he’s starting or not. It feels a bit early to claim Thybulle should finish games over Horford every night — him starting doesn’t change a ton.
A (valid) argument against Horford is the fit, and the space he likes to occupy on offense is a definite concern. The Sixers can only force Horford into a 3-and-D role so much. At some point, he’s going to enter the painted area and play to his strengths.
When Horford is near the paint, it can clog driving lanes for Ben Simmons and make double or triple-teams on Embiid a great deal easier. Thybulle, however, isn’t a markedly better shooter, and Horford still brings more as a passer and a scorer, even if his defense is more rigid at 33.
On the season, Thybulle is a 37.6 percent three-point shooter. His numbers since returning from injury on Jan. 9, however, paint a picture of regression. His 20.6 percent success rate over that span is a concern. Not a he shouldn’t play concern, but a maybe he shouldn’t start yet concern.
Thybulle is the embodiment of electricity on defense — he’s a kinetic force, everywhere at once. He’s quickly becoming must-watch T.V., and the Sixers should look to the future with plans of integrating him into the starting five down the line.
In 2020, however, with Al Horford healthy, on the roster, and making close to $30 million, it’s difficult to justify a full-tilt move to the bench. The only real change would come if Philadelphia significant decreased Horford’s playing time, and it’s far too early to treat Horford as a true bench player.
Thybulle has severe offensive limitations and is still very much a rookie. He’s the sixth man and should get the sixth-most minutes on the roster. There are even nights where he can, and should finish games over Horford — sure. A move to the starting five, however, is premature.