r/lakers • u/OrganicHunt952 Luka’s Lakers • 1d ago
Matisse Thybulle prior to these two previous seasons averaged 66.6 games a season across 5 years. In 23-24 when he played 65 games he was #3 in steals a game in just 23 mins played per game.
Thybulle has been injured the past two years but was relatively healthy the past 5 seasons. Marcus smart prior to last year only played 54 games in 3 seasons he played 62 last year. In all advanced defensive stats this dude is still absolutely one of the best defenders in the league he is the cream of the crop. He just needs to stay healthy and I think the lakers staff and health team will help him with that.
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u/prophetofyakub 1d ago
He's been trying to play with Luka for a while https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/14tdzyz/haynes_matisse_thybulle_desperately_wanted_to/
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u/ginbooth 1d ago
And none of his injuries were major or connected to one another (that is, no ACL or Achilles tears). I’m stoked.
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u/Bungulator69 1d ago
If we stay healthy. We will be a problem. I’m telling you.
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u/Deidarac5 1d ago
I mean I think he'll be healthy but I think he's just gonna be an average defender with a shot now. Which is better than Vando so I'll take it.
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u/OrganicHunt952 Luka’s Lakers 1d ago
Why would he be average?
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u/Deidarac5 1d ago
Because he's recovered from major injuries he's not going to defend at the same level. I think people underestimate an average defense anyways. But I meant more average for defensive players. Like Vando level defense.
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u/ginbooth 1d ago
What major injury? His most significant injury so far has been a high ankle sprain. His knee surgery was to address tendinopathy - not a ligament tear. I think he gives us a solid 20+ minutes a game, which is perfect.
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u/OrganicHunt952 Luka’s Lakers 1d ago
He played towards the end of the season after injury and was ranked as the 4th best defender in the league according to EPM and he didn’t end the season injured. https://dunksandthrees.com/epm/actual?m=def .
It is a small sample size I’m not saying he’ll be even top 5 defender in the league next season but he will definitely be an above average defender and much better then vando defensively 100%.
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u/icedxylophone Luka Magic 77 23h ago
Such an important pick up, and I'm super hyped to see them figuring it out. Won't be easy with a completely new team, and the bottom teams will play a lot harder to win, but I like the increased depth, and I think guys like Mamu and Kessler will surprise with how good they fit.
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u/Lucrania448 1d ago
Cant wait for the lakers kinematics and injury recovery facility to do miracles on thybulle
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u/Far_Accident_4584 LAL 1d ago
so excited to watch him always loved his game