Catching up on Matisse- Episode 4 and 5
Episode 4
Joel Embiid
Embiid makes a lovely appearance at the beginning of episode 4. The big man reminds us that the goal still is and always has been to win a championship. Embiid is in by far the best shape of his career and was in the gym constantly during this hiatus. Some fans have started to question his work ethic, but it’s easy to forget that Embiid bounced back to be the best rookie in the league after his back injury that kept him out for two years. If Embiid didn’t have a strong work ethic, he wouldn’t be where he is today. I still 100% believe that Embiid is the guy that can win us the first Process Sixers championship. We must not lose faith.
The Birthdays
We get a look at the birthday celebrations for Mike Scott. The team enjoys a fat stack of pancakes while singing Happy Birthday. I’m sure a bubble birthday isn’t the most ideal, however, the Sixers got to celebrate three birthdays inside the bubble. Tobias, Mike Scott, and Ben Simmons all had to make adjustments to celebrate their special days.
Golfing
This episode’s quarantine activity was golfing and Matisse enjoyed it with his normal clique. It seems like Matisse usually rolls with Tobias and Kyle O’Quinn during quarantine events. O’Quinn has been a pleasant surprise in these videos based on his ability to be a clown in many areas and providing a ton of laughs. I don’t think I would trust him on the golf course though because he’s probably going to end up killing someone.
After the first golf trip gets rained out, Matisse got back out there determined to improve his swing. In between golfing, Boban makes a cameo and for a split second, I forgot he wasn’t on the team anymore. Bobi and Tobi just look like they were made for each other. On day two of golfing, we realize that the team sucks just as bad as the casuals. Kyle O’Quinn didn’t even bring clubs, he’s just there to goof around. The putting is as bad as it gets. They need lessons from Chubbs Peterson. It makes me laugh seeing half the team pull up to the resort in their golf carts.
Episode 5
The Dialogue
Not too much happens in this episode 5 but it is an important episode. Matisse makes the most out of the rainy day by participating in a yoga class and locking himself in a hyperbaric chamber. Matisse and Tobias break protocol so that they can get a sneak peak at their home gym. They didn’t get in trouble though… It’s not like they pulled a Lou Williams. Anyway, Matisse’s cherry soda is still exploding in the fridge, and Boban once again makes an appearance, this time to help Tobias bully Matisse. Son unlike Boban, but in fairness, he was peer pressured.
The majority of the episode takes place at a round table between Tobias, Kyle O’Quinn, Thybulle, and the Vice President of Player Development for the Sixers. The group embark on a crucial discuss on how they can take advantage of their platform to create real change among social justice issues instead of being a distraction. Tobias explains that they don’t want to just throw on a t-shirt and think they’ve done enough. The goal is to reach a wider array of people with a clear and concise message that might be able to influence uneducated people.
Throughout the discussion, the idea that kept popping up was educating the people who don’t understand the oppressed viewpoint. Although they couldn’t come to a conclusion about a clear and concise message that they want to demonstrate just yet, they did all agree on the fact that it’s their job to help inform and educate people. They end the discussion by devising a three step plan consisting of education, awareness, and action.
We all love watching the Sixers play basketball, but personally, nothing makes me happier than our team leading and pushing an uncomfortable, yet vital, conversation. The leadership from Tobias Harris throughout this important era has been amazing to witness, and I would love to thank the Sixers for taking this opportunity to promote real and positive change. I’m very intrigued to see what they do next to continue informing and educating the masses.
Team Chemistry
Who would’ve thought that it ultimately would be the Coronavirus that ends up saving the Sixers season? The Sixers needed something to kickstart the team into success. It starts with team chemistry. Even in the first scrimmage, you can see how much more the team got along with each other. Joel jumped over a barrier to celebrate, the bench had synchronizing cheers, and the amount of fun they had on Friday surpassed the fun they had all season.
The bubble brought life back to the Sixers and it may have started with Matisse’s vlog. Like a little brother, Matisse has a unique relationship with everyone on the team. He is the glue that holds the entire squad together. The vlog is great because it can give us an inside look at the bubble, but most importantly, an inside look at the relationships between teammates. We are witnessing the Sixers coming together with one goal on their mind: A championship. The Sixers team chemistry stock is rising, and at the center of that, lies Matisse Thybulle’s brilliant documentary.
