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

3 goals for Sixers wing Matisse Thybulle: 1st team All-Defense

Thybulle made second team All-Defense as the sixth or seventh man in Philadelphia’s rotation. If he can even marginally increase his playing time, then first team All-Defense is in the cards. He is virtually guaranteed to post absurd steal and block numbers, and the metrics aren’t unfavorable either.

This is a lofty goal for a player as relatively unproven as Thybulle. First team All-Defense is typically reserved for the cream of the crop — the players who are not only stars on defense, but stars period. Last year’s first team consisted of Ben Simmons, Jrue Holiday, Draymond Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Rudy Gobert. All five are All-Stars. One of them is a two-time MVP.

That said, Antetokounmpo totaled 72 steals and 73 blocks last season — which is remarkable. Thybulle, off the bench, totaled 105 steals and 71 blocks. He picked more pockets than teammate and Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Ben Simmons, and blocked more shots than all-world rim protector Joel Embiid. He’s a generational talent with potential still untapped.

Philadelphia has every reason to ratchet up Thybulle’s minutes, so long as his prior goal of improved 3-point shooting is at least partially achieved. If Ben Simmons gets traded, then Thybulle’s stalwart presence on the perimeter becomes even more important. Do not rule out first team contention.