Matisse Thybulle pretends to leave his man open and baits Darius Garland into a pass and turnover
Seems more like he thought Vando was going to cover Jackson, so he was going to cover Sanders in the corner. But then he sees Vando drifting off, so he comes back.
If this was done by anyone other than Thybulle, I would agree. This dude is an absolute psycho on defense and I 100% think this is intentional from him
Agreed. It’s no accident he’s been averaging 2+ steals the last 3 seasons.
Watching him his final couple seasons at Washington was honestly incredible.
He basically was a one man defense all on his own, it was incredible.
Gave Hopkins an extension and made us play that 3 2 zone a few too many years. He was unreal
I’d maybe think that but it looks like he never really takes his eyes off the guy under the net, he never really even looks at the wing
I feel like Thybulle starts his spin away as soon as the Lakers bench calls for a “flood”, which is the call for sending extra help to the strong side. Vando then executes the coverage. So I think the video presents strong evidence that Thybulle knew what Vando was going to do as well
So he didn’t “pretend” but instead reacted to a coaching / defensive adjustment
Matisse does this shit on the regular with steals. Also likes letting the dude he’s guarding beat him off the dribble because he’s so good at getting blocks and steals from behind.
Truly one of the most unique defenders in the league, and a great dude to boot. I miss him.
If you told me in 2022 when he got traded that not only would he still be in the league in 4 years, but he would be starting, I would have found it very hard to believe.
Happy for the guy, he’s incredibly easy to root for
shooting 42% from three was not on my bingo card either
And shooting only no dip threes too
Coz he receives passes from a magician
Blazers unlocked his 3 ball and then decided it was better dump him and keep Krejcei? Man I hate Dundon.
The only one shot Covid thing was the dumbest move of all time but I also loved watching him play every night, happy he’s still around (both in basketball and not dead from COVID)
What exactly do you think is the death rate of Covid in young males? Let alone ones in extremely great physical condition
I think that’s my biggest frustration with the entire thing is that people acted like the deaths rates were equal. I’m not trying to minimize the severity of it if you have health conditions, but athletes were not at serious risk themselves.
How do you people STILL not get that the vaccine wasn’t only about the risk of COVID to you, but mainly to overall society and keeping infection rates down?
and hes saying shit like “thats my biggest frustration with the whole thing” as if the bullshit coming out of his mouth is in anyway rational.
Somehow he has in his mind that people were trying to mandate covid not because of herd immunity protecting fellow citizens and just in general having a level of care for vulnerable populations, but he thinks the mandate was some “we know whats best for YOU” type shit.
Well he used to be a piece of shit.
He still is, and that’s why he says shit like that.
People can change, and we’re all hoping that he will. It’s looking grim though.
It was a 100% death rate. They all died. I died. We’re all dead. We have to go back to the island
His defense was so fun to watch before he started fouling constantly. His blogs were elite too
His bubble vids were fucking awesome.
After Luka’s offense, my 2nd favorite thing to watch on the Lakers is Thybulle’s defense. It’s so cerebral. Great acquisition by Pelinka for peanuts. Pelinka haters, where you at? Or did Luka make the request to get Thybulle? If so, then LuGM is better than LeGM.
I think Luka asked for Thybulle but someone correct me if I’m wrong
Luka said “pretty much everything” when he got asked what his contributions to the roster was lol. Definitely LuGM
Edit: can’t find where I read it but Chris Mannix was the one who asked. Closest I can find for now
https://lakersnation.com/luka-doncic-admits-to-having-fingerprints-on-lakers-roster-building-this-summer/
This is a super fascinating storyline this season.
We haven’t really seen a front office just let a guy hand pick the roster like this since (peak) LeBron. It’s interesting to see how Luka sees the game and his decisions on who to take based on what he has experienced across the league over the last 8 years. Would love to hear him explain it someday.
I hadn’t paíd attention to their off season moves and it’s a unique mix of guys. Curious to see how it lasts and if Reaves holds up
I don’t think Luka handpicked everyone. Its the FO getting names that they could realistically get via FA and then running it thru Luka if he likes it.
He really learned from LeGM
LuGM
Luka pushed for him in 2023 as well
Must have been thinking about it ever since Thybulle blanketed him at the 2021 Olympics
He’s fantastic, especially if he can keep hitting his 3s. His entire issue was that he could take someone out of the game completely, but you’d also play with 4 on offence. And then he was just perpetually injured
43% 3pt is more than likely unsustainable, but if he can stay north of 35% that’d likely be good enough especially for how much they’re paying him.
He is a really fun player and gives his all. Excellent at blocking threes and stealing or tipping passes.
His main issue is that he really struggles to stay healthy. I think Portland would have loved to keep him around, but he just kept getting injured with us. Great dude though, and very well spoken. I hope he stays healthy this season.
Health and very streaking shooting. I’m sure later this year we’ll see laker fans turn on him when he shoots 24% from 3 for a month. He’s one of best def playmakers in nba when healthy tho no doubt.
TBH based on our history with “shooters” I would’ve taken 24% back in the day
Haha fair. He’s a legit player tho esp for that contract you guys got.
Not sure about the shot lakers have good shot quality except Luka his is worst itl
Most of his looks for us were wide open because nobody barely defends him on 3 line.
Try having him back when he’d shoot 30-33% for three straight years.
I always thought damn if he could just get himself up to 37%, he’d get a huge payday. Then he did it, but just couldn’t stay healthy
Not uncommon for shooters to be streaky so I’ll take it, frustrating as it would be
It comes and goes. He got benched in spurs series mid series because he couldn’t hit anything and then stopped shooting causing major off problems. His def is always solid.
That’s just about every fan’s opinion on Tise. Great defender, athletic, fast, but prone to injury.
Counter point:
Kevon Looney
I’m right here. Should I list all the terrible moves he’s made since becoming GM? You think signing Matisse for a min absolves him?
Thybulle is a very good defender but “cerebral” is the last word I would use to describe it. He is literally one of the biggest gamblers ever on defense. It works more often than it doesn’t, but his defensive stats were always better than his actual impact.
^ this
thybulle has flashy help defense that results in highlight real stocks, but his point of attack defense is mediocre and when his gambles fail, it puts pressure on other defenders to compensate.
he’s a fun player to watch in the regular season, but his style becomes a liability in post-season play, and his 3pt shooting is very unreliable.
Redditors love using words like that but rarely actually know what they mean. Old mate likely just thinks cerebral means really good.
No, the statement actually makes sense, and ‘cerebral’ fits here. As the OP noted, Thybulle set a trap with the clear intent of forcing Garland into an ill-advised pass, which worked.
They’ll be back for the next loss, which may even be tonight, the Blazers are good and beat us already
Ja is out and he had a big impact in the last game with the Lakers. I think Lakers will be tougher for the Blazers tonight.
8 games in btw
Genuinely I think Luka gets credit for this whole team.. I can’t say whether the source I listened to is accurate but they were basically saying they handed Luka the keys this season for the rebuild.
i saw that he was on the roster in a post game thread and realized i hadn’t heard about him (matisse) in a while, i’m stripes i didn’t see that he went to the lakers, there were a few months where his defense was the talk of the town, im glad he’s doing well again
I haven’t forgiven LeGM for choosing THT over Caruso
Luka has been trying to play with Thybulle for a while. The Mavs signed him as a RFA in the summer of 2023 but the Blazers matched it even after Thybulle pretty publicly asked for them not to lmfao, but I get why the Blazers did.
this doesn’t make him better than LeBron at being a gm you’re drunk. pelinka still sucks
The pelinka hate has always been dumb. The Lakers consistently got a lot of value out of mid to back of the draft picks like Kuzma and Josh Hart as well as getting guys like Caruso and Reeves when basically everyone in the league had their chance at them.
Though he undeniably had some wiffs along the way. The Westbrook trade was unconscionable but I’ve always been under the impression that was heavily pushed by the LeBron camp. It’s easy to say we would refuse to make that move even though personally I though it was terrible from the moment it happened.
Pelinka isn’t a god but he’s also not terrible.
Dude Laker fans are not allow to criticize Pelinka ever. The shit he pulled against Nico, he is among the best GM period. It is borderline criminal the way he manipulated Nico.
Matisse was a fantastic signing for the Lakers. A top 3 perimeter defender in the league who isn’t going to complain about never having the ball, but can knock down open 3s at a high percentage
Mattisse has been good, but he’s had bad injury luck recently. He played 45 games over the last 2 seasons combined for the Blazers. Hope he’s past that.
Meanwhile we let him go to keep Krejcei who has sucked for us even when healthy and is also out for who knows how many months.
He’s a very creative defender. He will intentionally get “blown by” just to steal the ball or block a shot from behind. Sometimes it’s a gamble but when it works it’s impressive. He’s also great at jumping passing lanes.
It’s way more effective when you have a wall like Kessler at the rim so they hesitate a bit. Need a backup c who can rim protect somewhat
Dang what a move, so sick. I don’t think I would of caught that lol
would of?
it’s that Boston accent
that Bwahstin accent
This channel caught it a couple days ago. NBA Highlights For Basketball Nerds
Dude that’s a sick channel
His channel has been one of my favorite highlights channel recently. You learn something and you get amazed!
This clip is literally ripped from the video you posted – it’s a shame OP didn’t give credit because it’s a great video.
You would what?
would’ve* jesus fucking christ
the thybulle special, such a unique defender
Miss that guy. Could use him now that Vit is out.
If you’re going to use the commentary at least plug the real video lol
NBA highlights for basketball nerds, loved every one in the series so far.
Everyone’s been saying how good Thybulle would be if he can shoot consistently. Improved in Portland, and now took another leap in LA. So proud of him.
He’s been so fun to watch this year. I think the confidence they are showing in him is paying off big time. He’s shown up a lot on the offensive end as well, making good decisions and confidently attacking. Thoroughly enjoy his game and always have, makes me really happy to see him shine.
I feel there will be a future anime that uses this very play for 5 minutes of an episode
He used to do this all the time in Philly. Always made me smile when he pulled it off.
Free safety type of defense
Are they not just transitioning from man to man to a relatively loose zone defense?
There is a fine line between Shaqtin and highlight
always has been a menace on defense.
That is an incredibly risky defensive play because if Garland was an inch or so bigger or had the gall to do it, he easily could’ve thrown the skip pass into the opposite corner to Sanders for an easy open 3.
Looks great that he got it though, its quite reckless. Garland picking up the ball was really what ruined the Clipps possession though, he’s not going to be able to make the skip pass if his vision is blocked by Mamu.
So it’s not that reckless if you’re thinking on that quick and smart of a level by Matisse.
If he did indeed bait that pass on purpose, it reminded me of Travis Hunter last week doing a fake stumble to bait CJ Stroud into a pick, idk if anyone saw that.
Such an underrated defender
That spin is gold