At the NBA Trade Deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers sent Matisse Thybulle to the Portland Trail Blazers in a four-team deal that landed Jalen McDaniels in Philly from the Charlotte Hornets. 

Matisse Thybulle catches up with the Sixers pregame 

Before Thybulle’s return to the Wells Fargo Center last night, he spoke with Keith Pompey from the Inky about his time in Philadelphia and how he was happy to no longer play in a “place of fear” in Portland. 

Matisse Thybulle: “For me, specifically, I feel like there was a lot more fear-based play in Philadelphia as opposed to what I’m doing here in Portland.”

I gave my opinion on Thybulle’s comments yesterday in an article right here on The Liberty Line and following last night’s comeback win over the Blazers, Joel Embiid shared his thoughts. 

Joel Embiid on Matisse Thybulle’s Comments

“I loved him when he was here,” said Embiid. “I kinda told him I kinda was not happy with some of the comments that was made lately, but it’s whatever.”

“Playing in Philly is not easy,” he added. “It’s a lot of pressure that comes with it. Every year, you’re expected to win. It doesn’t even matter if they believe that you have a good team or a good enough team to win a championship. That’s the expectations and that’s why there’s not a lot of people that can play here and survive here.”

“Some guys have different mindsets,” Embiid finished. “For some guys, it’s all about winning, and for some guys, it’s all about just playing basketball, but like I said he was great when we had him here. I wish him well. I still believe that he has a lot of potential and it’s all about him putting the work in and especially shooting and defensively, he’s a monster.” – via SixersWire / USA Today

Honestly, just like I said yesterday and what Joel Embiid said last night, it’s whatever. The comments weren’t that bad but they just weren’t necessary to say.

Personally, I wish Thybulle nothing but the best in Portland. 

With the win last night, the Sixers improved to 44-22 on the season. They are winners of four straight games and sit four games back from the East-leading Bucks and 1.5 games behind the second place Boston Celtics. 

They’ll remain home for one more game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday night. 

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