The Philadelphia 76ers have had an elite defense since “The Process” has been completed. In the past, they’ve been anchored down by two defensive aces in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. At least one of those two players has been one of the top defenders in the NBA in the past three-four years.
However, this season that isn’t the case. Ben Simmons has yet to play a minute this year and it doesn’t appear that he will play for the Sixers again. Embiid has been dealing with injury and COVID issues this season. As a result, he hasn’t looked like the same elite defender he has been in the past.
Despite these issues surrounding the 76ers, they still have one bright star on the defensive end and that has been third year wing Matisse Thybulle. In fact, Thybulle has been so impressive this season on that end that he should be in the running for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Sixers’ have a Defensive Player of the Year award candidate in Thybulle.
Thybulle was drafted as a first round pick for his defense potential despite his flaws on the offensive end. His defense in his first two seasons was spectacular, which even earned him an All-Defensive second team this past season despite being a reserve.
It’s hard to argue that Thybulle has struggled at times early this season due to COVID issues, but he’s still an elite defender. Currently, he’s eighth in steals per game (1.8), 23rd in blocks per game (1.1), and sixth in Defensive Box Plus/Minus (2.4). It should be noted that leads all non-big men in blocks per game.
While all those stats are nice, they alone aren’t what put his name into the conversation. It’s his historic defense on Stephen Curry. When the Sixers recently played the Golden State Warriors, 76ers head coach Doc Rivers opted to start Thybulle to defend Curry who was trying to break the All-Time 3-pointers made record.
Curry failed to do so and it was in large part due to Thybulle’s defense. According to ESPN Stats and Info tweeted out these stats from the game.
Matisse Thybulle held Stephen Curry to 2-of-13 shooting as the primary defender on Saturday, including 1-of-9 from beyond the arc.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 12, 2021
Thybulle also became the first player to block multiple 3-point attempts by Curry in a single game. pic.twitter.com/SCbXmV2y3S
Curry is the best shooter in NBA history and arguably the front runner for the MVP award. Not only did Thybulle contain him, but he also shut him down on what could have been a historic night for the sharpshooter.
That is the reason why Thybulle should be in the DPOY race. While it’s doubtful the Sixers’ wing will win it, especially with players like Draymond Green, Rudy Gobert, and Mikal Bridges in the race, Thybulle should be mentioned in the top five of that conversation.