3 reasons why Matisse Thybulle can become a better defender than Ben Simmons

In just two seasons in the NBA, Matisse Thybulle has become one of the best perimeters and on-ball defenders in the NBA. Last season he was selected into his first All-Defense team and will likely be the first of many.

Ben Simmons will likely be traded soon, as hostilities between Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers have only worsened with training camp starting. Simmons played a crucial role in the 76ers defense, getting second place in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Thybulle will be asked to take on a more prominent role this season and should be able to make up for the loss of Simmons on defense.

#3 Matisse Thybulle physical attributes

Philadelphia 76ers Matisse Thybulle stealing the ball from Trae Young

Even though Thybulle is a good five inches smaller than Simmons, they still have the same wingspan at 6’11”. Both have long arms that allow them to contest threes, block a layup attempt, jump into passing lanes, and pock away loose balls.

For Thybulle, being smaller might be an advantage. Thybulle is about 40 pounds lighter than Simmons, allowing him to play tighter on smaller guards than Simmons. When the 76ers played the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs last year, Trae Young could dictate how Simmons guarded him by using his speed. Simmons would play off of Young, allowing Young to use his speed to drive by him. Simmons would still recover a lot of the time to contest the shot, but Young had a slight advantage.

When Thybulle was tasked with defending Young, Thybulle could guard Young however he wanted. He was fast enough to be right in front of Young the entire time but had the arm length to contest every shot.

#2 Matisse Thybulle and Joel Embiid are great on defense together

Philadelphia 76ers Matisse Thybulle #22 and Joel Embiid #21 on defense together

Joel Embiid is one of the best defensive centers in the league and was also placed on an All-Defensive team last season. Embiid played a massive role as the clean-up man on the 76ers defense, and anything got by Thybulle or Simmons had to deal with him.

The duo of Simmons and Embiid were among the best defensive units in the league last year, but Embiid and Thybulle have the promise to be better. The inside-outside game that Thybulle and Embiid could have on defense would be crazy with their long reaches. Anyone driving into the paint could be blocked by Thybulle from behind or Embiid meeting you at the rim.

Last season the tandem was a plus/minus +11.3 when on the court together. Simmons and Embiid were +15.9 but taking into account the lack of offense that Thybulle provides, that means they did a lot of their damage on the defensive end. Next season whenever both Thybulle and Embiid will be on the court simultaneously, it will be tough to score on the 76ers.

#1 Matisse Thybulle is just good on defense

Philadelphia 76ers Matisse Thybulle #22 guarding up on Bradley Beal

Matisse Thybulle could soon be one of the best defenders in the league and is already getting close. For players who played over 1,000 minutes, Thybulle had the fourth-highest defensive rating at 103. On top of that, he has a 2.7 defensive win share, which ranks him 25th in the league last season, despite only playing in 1,298 minutes.

Thybulle is always finding his way into the passing lanes, and his body allows him to reach any pass that comes near him. He can play on you tight and follow you around or back off and still block a three-point attempt. His Per 36 numbers have him at 2.8 steals a game with 1.6 blocks.

Thybulle did not get the most playing time, and it is mainly due to his offense, but his defense always made an impact in the game. Once Simmons is gone, he should have more opportunities to play a similar role as Simmons on defense.