24-year-old Sixers guard Matisse Thybulle has put himself on the radar of NBA fans for his defense this season and he capped it off this week when he was named as an All-NBA second-team defender.
NBA TNT reporter Jared Greenberg compared Thybulle to Kawhi Leonard, in terms of what he brings defensively.
"Two young guys that I talked about earlier, Matisse Thybulle of the Sixers and Mikal Bridges of the Suns," Greenberg said on the Upon Further Review with Zach Brook Podcast. "Just two of the best individual defenders in this league.
"I think Matisse Thybulle has the chance to be the next Kawhi Leonard, in terms of what Kawhi has been on the defensive side of the ball and that reputation he's built. Matisse is just an animal. He's one of, if not already, the best perimeter defender in the league."
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That's certainly high praise for the young Sixers guard, who is getting the attention he deserves for his elite defense.
Thybulle averaged 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks in just 20 minutes per game this season. He has 12 steals and 10 blocks in nine playoff games this postseason, as the Sixers are two wins away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.