- 588 words
Matisse Thybulle entered free agency as a premier perimeter defender, and the Los Angeles Lakers saw the value he can provide. Despite offensive limitations, Thybulle fills a wing need and should have a significant role this season despite signing a minimum contract.
With nine new players, head coach JJ Redick needs to sift through assigning players their respective roles, and that will take some time. For Thybulle though, The two-time All-Defensive player already has a clearly defined role that plays to his strengths, and he is enjoying it.
“Yeah, I think it’s extremely clear. Almost to the point where it doesn’t even need to be said,” Thybulle said after the Lakers’ win on Friday. “I think we all know as players what our strengths are and I think for a lot of us this team has created a landscape where naturally our strengths are what is highlighted and expected of us and just stick with that.”
While the Lakers have dealt with early-season injuries, Thybulle was elevated to a starting role and he looks to be playing to his strengths defensively when it comes to reading passing lanes or playing the “free safety” role. The eighth-year forward appreciates that the Lakers coaching staff is taking him for the player that he is and not trying to change him.
“I think more than anything, just being valued for your skillset and have that be the thing that is wanted,” he said. “As opposed to a team trying to turn you into something else, especially now, just being year eight in my career. I feel like I know myself as a player and also seeing that reflected from the coaching staff and my teammates is nice.”
Entering a new situation usually warrants uncertainty for a player, as coaches have different ideologies and philosophies. But Redick has simplified Thybulle’s role by picking up guards full court, leaning into his defensive IQ and providing space in the corners on the offensive end.
In their win over the L.A. Clippers, the 29-year-old forward had his best performance as a Laker so far with 13 points on 5-of-8 from the field. Most importantly, he shot 3-for-6 from 3-point range, accompanied by two steals.
When it comes to role players, there is no need to overcomplicate things for them. One of Redick’s strengths as a coach is his relationships with players and Thybulle looks to be on bought in.
Matisse Thybulle knows guarding Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in practice will make him better
The Lakers have options at the wing, which could not be said in previous years, especially with defensive magnitude like Thybulle. He gets a chance to play in a winning situation again, along with two dynamic playmakers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
But Thybulle can make them better by guarding them in practice, which the veteran forward recognizes will make him better in return as well.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
Author
Related Posts
Javits Frimpong fatally shot walking to school in Bronx; 3 teens sought in shooting
BRONX (WABC) — The manhunt continued Thursday for the gunman who fatally shot a 15-year-old boy near Crotona Park in the Bronx...
Read out all
Israel deadlocked / Trump, Iran and the midterms : Sources & Methods – NPR
Israel deadlocked / Trump, Iran and the midterms : Sources & Methods NPR Caretaker role could limit Netanyahu but not rule out war...
Read out all
Khalil Mack returned to Fort Pierce, Florida in 2019; he paid off $80,000 in layaway orders at the local Walmart
In December 2019, Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack brought unexpected holiday relief to families in his Florida hometown. Through the Khalil Mack...
Read out all
Buffalo Bills trade deadline expectations should be dampened by salary cap space
The Buffalo Bills don’t have very much salary cap space and don’t have very many good ways to create salary cap space...
Read out all
Audio reveals exchanges between control centre and drivers before deadly Spain train crash – BBC
Audio reveals exchanges between control centre and drivers before deadly Spain train crash BBC At least 64 people killed in Spain as two...
Read out all
James Gunn Calls Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman DC’s ‘Diamond Characters’
James Gunn has once again taken to Threads in defense of his DC universe, and this time, is clarifying his previously proposed...
Read out all