Matisse Thybulle

2023 - 2 - 15

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Blazer's Edge"

Matisse Thybulle Excited for Trail Blazers 'Opportunity' (Blazer's Edge)

Matisse Thybulle shined in his Portland Trail Blazers debut against the Los Angeles Lakers.

I think just as you get guys that can kind of anchor a defense, that effort will kind of be honed in. Like, as opposed to being this floodlight that kind of becomes wasted energy, it can be narrowed down into a laser. Yeah, and I think what this team has as a foundation I think allows for them to be a good defensive team. Similarly, if you put Dame on a basketball court, give him a ball, he’s going to find ways to make shots. If you put me on a basketball court, I’m going to figure out how to make plays defensively. It was a big night for Lillard, but the pressure to perform in a smaller role was on Portland’s newest addition Matisse Thybulle, who started in place of injured forward Jerami Grant in his Trail Blazers debut.

In Matisse Thybulle, Blazers find a creative soul who is now ... (The Athletic)

A defensive specialist who fell out of the rotation in Philadelphia, Thybulle says he feels wanted and valued in Portland.

I had a knack for it when I was young — coaches would put me at the top of a 1-3-1 (defense) and I would end up with the ball. He said his comfort is aided by growing up 170 miles away from Portland, and he noted that he knows many of the hikes and all of the waterfalls around Portland after making countless visits with his friends. “For us to be able to have a guy like that is really important. So to have a guy like that, I think it just breathes energy into everybody.” But it is a part of the game I’ve given my life to.” I think you have to empower guys, you have to pump confidence into guys, and you usually get the best version of them. “The freedom I have here to shoot open shots, make plays, be part of the offense … “I was so surprised in guys’ willingness to talk and communicate with each other, and the effort that was there. While Thybulle’s offense created a buzz on Monday, defense is still the topic that causes his face to light up. I would say what I’m most excited about is learning the defense and these guys’ tendencies so we can do it together and it’s more of a dance and movement of, like, cohesiveness as opposed to me making plays as an individual.” In Philadelphia, Thybulle had gone from starting 50 games the year before to averaging only 12 minutes a game this season, a demotion that was related to his poor offensive production (2.7 points, 33.3 percent 3-point shooting). But when he was asked whether he felt pressure to upgrade the team’s defense, he gave an insightful answer, saying good team defense isn’t achieved by an individual, but rather through fluid group movement that is in sync with each other.

Former Sixer Matisse Thybulle talks comfort in Portland after shining ... (Liberty Ballers)

Former Sixer Matisse Thybulle, traded last week in a four-team trade to acquire Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels, came out hot in his debut for the ...

Isaiah Joe comes to mind immediately, who is now leading the NBA in three-point percentage for the So just to be out there and feel comfortable and to feel and know that I’m wanted and needed, the coaching staff and players have my back, I think it showed in my ability to play and be more of myself,” Thybulle told reporters after Tuesday’s contest. With all that being said, McDaniels is also doing well so far for the Sixers. Tuesday night, he played 26 minutes for Portland, and felt an instant level of grounding that he was struggling to find as just a defensive player in Philadelphia, he said postgame. “Here, I mean, it’s early, but to have one practice and one game under my belt and already feel comfortable I think says a lot.” [Charlotte Hornets](https://www.atthehive.com) forward Jalen McDaniels, came out hot in his debut for the [Portland Trail Blazers](https://www.blazersedge.com) on Monday night.

Blazers' Matisse Thybulle Talks Fresh Start After Sixers Trade (Sports Illustrated)

After his debut with the Trail Blazers, Matisse Thybulle explained what helped him unleash one of his best performances of the season.

Trail Blazers' Matisse Thybulle: Flashes offense in team debut (CBSSports.com)

Thybulle ended with 14 points (5-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt), six rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal in 26 minutes during Monday's 127-115 win over the ...

• While Thybulle's bread and butter is undoubtedly his defense, the former 76er unexpectedly showed off his shooting touch, drilling a campaign-high four three-pointers and finishing with double-digit points for just the fourth time this season. Thybulle played his first game for Portland since the team acquired him in a trade last week, and he got a starting assignment with Jerami Grant out with a concussion.

Matisse Thybulle all smiles after impressive Trail Blazers debut: 'I ... (oregonlive.com)

Thybulle's elite defensive play should help the Blazers, but he also flashed some offense Monday night in a win against the Lakers.

“It would make it hard to kind of feel grounded or comfortable,” he said. Thybulle spent this season pushing through his disappointment, hoping for a better outcome that came at the trade deadline. He’s good enough that he is on his guy and then the ball swings, and he’s in the gap and he’s getting a deflection or a steal and he’s helping somebody else out. The Blazers will enter Tuesday’s game against Washington in 11th place in the Western Conference but just two games out of sixth. His showing pushed his three-point percentage for the season to 36.2% (25 of 69). “For us, to be able to have a guy like that is really important. If he turns the ball over, no problem, as long as he’s trying to make the right play. If you put me on the basketball court, I’m going to figure out how to make plays defensively.” Thybulle was named to the NBA’s second-team all-defensive team in 2021 and 2022. So, in theory, the Blazers improved in that area. So, just to be out there and feel comfortable and to feel and know that I’m wanted and needed, and this coaching staff and players have my back. They revisited obtaining him again at the last week’s trade deadline and swung a four-team deal that also brought in Cam Reddish from the New York Knicks.

Matisse Thybulle Talks About Being "Wanted and Needed" after 14 ... (Crossing Broad)

Matisse Thybulle went 4-6 from three and scored 14 points in 26 minutes on his Portland debut. He shot 5-9 overall against the Lakers and added six rebounds ...

They’re 37-19 and 3.5 out of first with the All Star break looming. They hinge on Embiid, Harden, Harris, Maxey, Melton, and the core of the playoff rotation. That quote will infuriate the portion of Sixers fans who think Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey haven’t done enough to foster young talent in Philadelphia.