Sixers' Matisse Thybulle keeps making his case as an elite NBA defensive player

PHILADELPHIA — Matisse Thybulle reminds Sacramento Kings interim coach Alvin Gentry of former elite NBA defender Michael Cooper.

"I think he's a long, got great hands and moves his feet great," said Gentry of Thybulle. "I think everyone forgets Michael Cooper would guard point guards but would also guard some of the better small forwards in the league – all of the way up to Larry Bird and people like that. I think (Thybulle) has the ability to do those things."

That's some good company for the 76ers' Thybulle.

The 6-foot-5 Cooper was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1986-87, earned five-time first-team all-defensive selections and played for five league championship teams during his 12 years with the Lakers. He picked up the first of three second-team all-defensive honors during his third pro season.

The 6-foot-5 Thybulle has become the 30-19 Sixers' best perimeter defender with the embattled Ben Simmons not playing this season and has consistently drawn the assignment of the opponents' top wing player. He was a second-team all-defensive choice last season, which was his second in the NBA.

"Thybulle's, if not the best, he's got to be in the top one or two perimeter defenders in the league right now," said Gentry prior to the Sixers' 103-101 victory over the Kings on Saturday night.

"... If you go back and look at the Golden State game, the way he guarded Steph (Curry) was pretty doggone impressive. Anybody that he guards, it's going to be a tough night."

Thybulle blocked a pair of Curry 3-pointers in the Sixers' 102-93 win over the Warriors on Dec. 11, marking the first time a defender blocked multiple Curry 3s in a game during Curry's decorated 13-year pro career. Curry finished 6-for-20 from the field, including 3- of-14 from 3-point range, and went 2-for-13 (1-of-9 on 3s) when Thybulle covered him.

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That prompted Golden State coach Steve Kerr to say Thybulle "(is) a rare combination of length and athleticism and brains. He did as good a job on Steph as anybody I've seen in a long time."

For his part, Thybulle said he was "still trying to process what I did (against Curry)" after that stellar outing.

"There's no secret to guarding people like that," Thybulle said. "You've got to be willing to get scored on."

It's not such a regular occurrence these days.

Another example was Celtics star Jayson Tatum shooting 1 for 5 with two turnovers when Thybulle, who had three steals and a blocked shot, was the primary defender on him in a Dec. 20 Philadelphia road victory.

While Thybulle was limited by foul trouble to 19 minutes Saturday, he compiled four steals and a block in Thursday's 105-87 win over the Lakers. His individual highlight was enveloping a Russell Westbrook third-quarter pass near midcourt and quickly finding guard Tyrese Maxey for an uncontested bucket.

By now you'd think opposing guards/wings would have an idea what a threat Thybulle, who has a wingspan of 6-11, is to deflect and steal the ball, as well as block jumpers, yet it keeps happening. Just like it does during Sixers' practices.

"Our guys play with him all the time and they think they’re going to get the shot off and they’re rushing it and he still gets it," Rivers said. "They’re always shocked by it and I am too, sometimes."

Thybulle's defensive impact is clearly elite, as evidenced by ranking in the NBA's 100th percentile among guards in steals (1.9 per game) and blocks (1.1). But for him to become special at the other end of the floor, he's going to have develop into a more consistent scorer.

While he's shooting .514 from the field (36 for 67) during the past 13 games (the last 12 of which he started), in part because he's had success getting layups and dunks on cuts down the lane, Thybulle has hit just 10 of 37 3-pointers (.270). He's at .287 on 3s this season.

Thybulle contributed eight points on 3-for-3 shooting (2 of 2 on 3-pointers) against the Kings, with the lone 2-point bucket coming on a second-quarter dunk off of a feed from star center Joel Embiid in which he snuck into the basket area alone.

"It's huge," said Rivers of Thybulle cutting to the bucket. "They're using him to hide (the opponent's) worst defensive player, so he has to make himself available. Under the basket, you're available."

Since teams consistently double-team Embiid in the halfcourt offense, Thybulle gives Embiid a much-needed option when the former University of Washington standout flashes into the lane. That's essential because the Sixers cannot afford to play 4 on 5. Even if Thybulle doesn't score, he should be able to find an open teammate with the next pass.

"When I catch the ball (with the double-team coming), Matisse has one job – cut to the basket and bring someone in and it creates a 2-on-1 on the other side of the floor," Embiid said. "We've been working on that."

How much Thybulle factors into the offense should determine if he's a franchise cornerstone or a defensive specialist – a long-term starting wing or a reserve/part-time starter.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes; @TomMoorePhilly

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Sixers' Matisse Thybulle keeps making case as an elite NBA defender