3. Matisse Thybulle
Matisse Thybulle continues to rack up steals and blocks while establishing himself as a positive force in the locker room. You could say he specializes in… stocks and bonds.
No Sixers reserve was more impressive than Thybulle in these scrimmages. While he still has a lot of room to grow offensively, it’s Thybulle’s defense that makes him too good to overlook. He’s well on his way to being the Sixers’ top wing off the bench when the games start to count.
As a rookie, Thybulle is probably the most disruptive defender in basketball — period. He creates havoc unlike anyone else, flying around the floor, poking his 7-foot wingspan into passing lanes, and constantly snuffing out ball-handlers. His quick hands are mesmeric on the ball, and off the ball, few players are more adept at rotating for blocks or deflections.
Thybulle’s ability to generate turnovers has been on full display in Orlando. And, for good measure, he managed 14 points in an impressive capstone performance against Dallas on Tuesday. The rook would benefit greatly from a more consistent jump shot, but his willingness to cut, relocate, and shoot open 3s has kept him out of actively harmful territory.
The Sixers have a trio of perimeter defenders in Thybulle, Simmons, and Richardson who specialize in creating turnovers, and by extension, scoring on the fast break. Simmons is the best transition playmaker in basketball, which makes Thybulle a natural partner in crime. That’s a duo — and maybe even a trio — we should expect a lot of down the stretch.