The Sixer Sense
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The Philadelphia 76ers Got a Steal in Timothe Luwawu

By Christopher Kline

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is interviewed after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is interviewed after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense

Perhaps Luwawu’s most NBA-ready skill is his defensive capability. The rangy wingman can cover any perimeter position with effectiveness  while his ability to create turnovers highlights an aspect to his game that will make him thrive in today’s NBA.

With the league being based around versatility to the extent that it is, having someone like Luwawu who can both play and defend multiple positions is a massive plus. His frame is already impressive considering its his first year of American basketball, and it still has plenty of room to fill out as his matures physically with the 76ers. Luwawu has a long wingspan in combination with his athleticism, and defensive instincts that far outweigh the instinctual habits of many other shooting guards and small forwards who we saw come off the board prior to him on Draft night.

As mentioned in the previous slide, Luwawu gets into passing lanes with ease and is highly mobile in the manner in which he patrols the floor. He’s able to anticipate the course the ball takes and insert his body in between it and it’s intended destination with apparent ease at times, while his ability to change directions with ease allows him to switch into help defense in an instance.

Luwawu isn’t much of a shot blocker with how often he is locker onto the perimeter, but he is fully capable of chasing down a block or two when the opportunities present themselves. His decision making on the defensive side of the ball will be tested against the more advanced competition at the next level, but he has all the tools to excel as the prototypical 3-and-D player that has revolutionized the league as of late.

Next: Transition Play