Matisse Thybulle mentions one key difference between Sixers, Blazers
The Philadelphia 76ers made their move at the deadline back on Feb. 9 when they sent Matisse Thybulle to the Portland Trail Blazers in what ended up being a four-team deal that brought in Jalen McDaniels from the Charlotte Hornets.
Thybulle was Philadelphia’s top defender as he was able to wreak havoc every time he was out on the floor and give the Sixers a spark. While he was an elite defender, there were always questions about his offense and, per president Daryl Morey, it’s why they pulled the trigger on the deal for McDaniels.
In 10 games with the Blazers, all starts, Thybulle is averaging 7.5 points and he’s shooting 40.9% from deep on 4.4 attempts per game. He’s also averaging 30.4 minutes in Portland after averaging only 12.1 minutes with the Sixers.
“I see Matisse over there doing good,” said Paul Reed ahead of Thybulle’s return to Philadelphia on Friday. “He’s finding himself. I’m excited to see him. I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be talking to him and say what’s up. It’s gonna be good vibes.”
Thybulle did list one key difference between the Sixers and the Blazers as he told Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer:
“Any player that’s playing out of a place of fear is going to struggle,” he said. “Like there’s going to just be friction in everything you try to do. But when you play for a place of just discipline and receptiveness to what the game’s giving and what you are reading from it. I think there’s a lot more opportunity.
“And for me, specifically, I feel like there was a lot more fear-based play in Philadelphia as opposed to what I’m doing here in Portland.”
Thybulle was in a tough situation in Philadelphia. There were plenty of nights when he would play a lot of minutes only to not get off the bench the next night. One could make the case that it was his doing because of the offensive questions, but he also wasn’t able to really battle and play through any mistakes.
Now, he gets that opportunity with the Blazers and he has taken advantage of it.
