Sixers: Matisse Thybulle can be a better shot blocker than Dwyane Wade
It’s fair to say that despite the fact that the 2019 NBA Draft is less than two years removed, the Sixers came away from that draft with the best defensive player in that class in Matisse Thybulle. The sky is the limit for Thybulle defensively and it put him on par with one of the best shot blocking shooting guard of the 21st century.
Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade is the player I’m referring to. Despite only averaging 0.8 blocks for his career, he did make the All-Defensive team three times. It’s fair to say that the Philadelphia 76ers’ defensively stud that he could be better than the future Hall of Famer in terms of blocking shots isn’t an outrageous statement.
Sixers’ wing Thybulle can surpass Wade as a shot blocker.
It’s been two seasons since Wade has donned on an NBA jersey. However, in his physical prime, Wade was the prime shot-blocker as the shooting guard position. At 6-foot-4, Wade was a menace playing defense, but especially blocking shots. Below are some highlight blocks from Wade’s career.
It’s no lie that he was impressive and due to his elite offensive play, he’s arguably the third best shooting guard of all-time behind Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Wade recorded 885 blocks for his career, which is insane for a player of his stature. He was truly an elite shot blocking guard in NBA history.
More from Sixers News
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Breaking Down Bombshell Report on Sixers Star James Harden
While it’s fair to say Thybulle won’t be close to the offensive player that Wade was, he could be defensively, especially as a shot blocker. So far in his first two seasons, Thybulle has recorded 114 blocks for his career, whereas Wade had 116 blocks after his first two years. Thybulle is bound to eclipse that total this year with more than seven games remaining this season.
It’s not just the sheer number of blocks but how Thybulle is doing it as well. He’s block players on jump shots which isn’t something Wade did often in his career. Below is a highlight of just how versatile of shot blocker the second year wing is.
He blocked
‘s shot who is 7-feet tall and he did so trailing on the play from behind before the release. Considering that Thybulle is just 6-foot-5 that is crazy how he was able to do that.
Both players are impressive shot blockers, there’s no doubt about that. However, Thybulle is a defensive specialist and it can be argued that he’s capable of defending both of the guard and forward positions with his around about 7-foot wingspan, which is something Wade couldn’t do during his illustrious career.
Thybulle is only 24 years old and is bound to get better and smarter on defense which should only increase his block stats. He’s already averaging 0.9 blocks per game for his career, which is ridiculous for a player at his height.
Next. Hill has to find his rhythm soon. dark
Thybulle has the capability of making the NBA’s All-Defensive team this year despite playing limited minutes and coming off the bench for the Sixers. His shot blocking skills are a big reason why that could be possible. There’s a real chance he can be better than a future Hall of Famer in Wade as a shot block and possibly as a defender as a whole.