LA Lakers player reminds me of Michael Cooper, says James Worthy, ‘I didn’t know…’

While a sustained run without Doncic will remain difficult for the Lakers, they passed the first test, by winning their first game of the season without him. Doncic sat out the second night of a back-to-back, following his 41-point performance against the Trail Blazers.

So who stepped up in his absence?

Quentin Grimes led the team with 23 points, and Collin Sexton scored 21. Austin Reaves was quieter, with 16. But there was also a valuable 15 point contribution from Matisse Thybulle.

Thybulle shot 4-5 from three-point range, and his impact left former Lakers player James Worthy taken aback.

Worthy told the Lakers’ postgame show on Spectrum that he is impressed with Thybulle’s shooting, and compares elements of his game with his former teammate Michael Cooper.

“I didn’t know he was that effective from three and that accurate. But what I’ve seen in a short period of time is he’s ready to shoot. When he’s set up behind the three-point line and that ball’s rotating, he’s already in a shooting mentality, catch and shoot, his hands are ready.

“He kind of reminds me, I’m not comparing him to Michael Cooper, but he kind of reminds me of that wiry body that gets deflections and gets in the way, stays in front of people. He’s a two-way player.”

Worthy’s words are high praise, with Cooper joining him in having his jersey raised to the Lakers’ rafters. Thybulle is just simply looking to make his own mark in LA, after signing in the offseason.

NBA Rookie rankings after Week 1 📈 Who has impressed you most out of the Draft?

Who should’ve featured?

Collin Sexton praised

Collin Sexton was another offseason addition, and his invaluable contribution was part of the puzzle that saw the Lakers come out with the win and move to 4-1.

Worthy added: “Sexton, he’s a little piece of dynamite, he’s strong and he does not mind the contact. He’ll go at you.

“I just thought overall, defensively, they got after the Clippers and were just like little mosquitoes, they never let up. This is a good victory without Luka, and I think it shows the depth this team has for the future.”

Other important performances included Jake LaRavia grabbing 10 rebounds, with eight from Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Add to Preferred Sources