Sixers: 3 goals for Matisse Thybulle in 2021-22 season

Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons get a lot of credit for the Sixers‘ defensive success, but Matisse Thybulle was arguably the most impactful per-minute defender on the team last season. He was so effective, in fact, that he made second team All-Defense despite averaging only 20 minutes per game.

After finishing the season in Philly, Thybulle went to Tokyo and won a Bronze medal with the Australian national team. It has been a good year for the 24-year-old, who is expected to take another step forward in his third NBA season.

Here are three goals the former No. 20 pick should seek to achieve.

3 goals for Sixers wing Matisse Thybulle: Regain rookie form on 3-point shot

As a rookie, Thybulle hit 35.7 percent of his 3s and averaged 2.4 attempts per game. Last season, he hit 30.1 percent of his 3s and averaged 2.2 attempts per game. For Thybulle to have any offensive utility at all, he needs to be a consistent 3-point shooter. My skepticism is well documented, but Thybulle should at least gun for his rookie numbers.

If Thybulle is a league-average shooter on respectable volume, defenses can’t ignore him entirely. That alone transforms him into a significantly more impactful player. He’s an elite defender, but until he’s a proven shooter, Thybulle can’t expect a significant increase in minutes per game.

The Sixers are built in such a way that Thybulle’s offensive shortcomings are exacerbated. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons need confident shooters and quick decision-makers. If Thybulle becomes a real 3-point threat, then his defense can get more shine next to Philly’s core.