Damian Lillard welcomes addition of Matisse Thybulle's defense to Trail Blazers

Benyam Kidane

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Damian Lillard welcomes addition of Matisse Thybulle's defense to Trail Blazers image

Matisse Thybulle has found a new home in Portland following a deadline-day trade from Philadelphia, giving the 25-year-old a fresh start in the North West. 

After starting 50 games for the 76ers last season, the Australian saw his role shrink this season, playing just 12.7 minutes per game, with his offensive limitations hampering his ability to stay on the court in Philly, shooting just 33.3 percent from the 3-point line.

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Now in Portland, his skillset on the defensive end is exactly what the Blazers need, especially given the departures of their two best perimeter defenders in Josh Hart and Gary Payton II at the trade deadline.

"He's a First Team All-Defensive player, Blazers star Damian Lillard told The Sporting News.

"He's blocking shots he's getting steals, he's getting deflections, he's a good athlete, he's a smart defender.

"I think there's so many layers to the type of defender that he is that he really helps our team and it's something that we haven't had."

Thybulle was named to the All-Defensive Second Team in each of the previous two seasons and his energy and activity on the defensive side of the floor are exactly what the Blazers have been missing, currently 27th in defensive rating.

Portland can score points with the best of them, sitting top five in offensive efficiency, but they struggle to contain perimeter players on the other side of the floor, ranking 29th in steals per game (6.3), 28th in deflections (12.3), and 25th in loose balls recovered — making Thybulle's presence in the starting lineup a welcome sight for Blazers fans. 

With Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Jerami Grant putting up a combined 73.6 points per game, there isn't as much pressure on Thybulle to make an impact on the offensive side of the floor, rather creating offensive opportunities with his defense, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. 

Thybulle's defense was never a question in Philadelphia, but the spacing issues caused by his limited 3-point shooting made minutes hard to come by this season as the 76ers added more shooting around James Harden and Joel Embiid.

Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers)
Getty Images

In his Blazers debut against the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the All-Star break, Thybulle looked like a different player, full of confidence, stepping into threes as he knocked down 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. 

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“Most people tend to think that he can’t shoot, but he can,” Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups said via The Athletic.

“He shoots it pretty well. I think you have to empower guys, you have to pump confidence into guys, and you usually get the best version of them. I expect him to have some other nights like this.”

While Thybulle was beloved by Philadelphia fans, he and the 76ers did not reach a deal on a rookie scale contract extension this past offseason, making him a restricted free agent in the summer.

Now, with a new opportunity in front of him, he is in a situation where he can prove his value on both sides of the floor, with a return to the Pacific North West for the Seattle native, a homecoming of sorts, that can only make things easier, according to Lillard

"He's also a guy that's basically coming home," Lillard added. "He's a North West guy, he's getting closer to home and I think that's going to make him more comfortable and make him feel better about where he is.

"He's been a really good player since he's come in the league and then not getting a lot of minutes in Philly, I think he's out to prove something.

"So in that position, I think it can only be positive for our team." 

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.