The NBA playoffs are just around the corner and the Philadelphia 76ers have six games left before the postseason begins. They are playing some of their best basketball of the Joel Embiid era. As a result, some players are having career seasons, but will that translate to a playoff run.
There are three players on the Sixers roster that have to prove their worth during these playoffs. It should be noted that Ben Simmons will be excluded from this list. Despite the lack of a jump shot, Simmons has performed well in the playoffs. With that being written, let’s begin.
3 players with something to prove in the playoffs: Matisse Thybulle
It’s hard for me to have second year wing Matisse Thybulle on this list. I’ve written about how he deserves to be a member of the NBA’s All-Defensive team this season and then he can be a more iconic shot blocking shooting guard than Dwyane Wade. After reading this article you should listen to the high praise I give Thybulle in the most recent episode of The Sixer Sense Podcast.
“If he does, then he might be in line for a starting job next season.”
That being written, he’s also a consistent jump shot away from becoming a starter, as I wrote about in the past as well. That is the reason why he’s on this list. On the year, Thybulle 4.0 points, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks, while also shooting 30.7 percent from the 3-point line.
Despite being elite defensively, Thybulle is a liability on offense. While he’s shown some growth on offense this year, he doesn’t have one strength on that side of the ball. He was exposed on offense last postseason due to this weakness. He averaged 1.8 points on 25.0 percent from deep.
If it weren’t were for Simmons not playing due to injury, Thybulle might have barely played last year. He needs to prove he can positive on offense during the playoffs. If he does, then he might be in line for a starting job next season.