The Sixer Sense
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Timothe Luwawu is a High IQ, Great Basketball Player

By Josh Wilson

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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Attentive defense

Video example

What he does well

Timothe Luwawu is an incredible defender. These clips were all taken from the very first summer league game against the Boston Celtics, and in my watching of this game the second time through, I watched Luwawu the whole time. Only a few times did an opponent score (twice by my count) because of defensive lapses on Luwawu’s part.

Luwawu is like white on rice with his defensive assignment, often blowing through screens and switching flawlessly.

Luwawu is hard to defend himself, and it looks like that helps him in this regard. He knows how to guard himself, and uses that knowledge to his advantage when guarding other players.

One of the best things about Luwawu’s defense is that he’s incredibly attentive, seemingly with eyes in the back of his head, sides of his head, and really just all over the place. He knows exactly when he should switch with a teammate or stick with his man. Where other players lose their man getting distracted by the ball moving their way, Luwawu can guard two things at once.

Whether it be along the perimeter, close to the hoop, or in transition, Luwawu is a tough defender and, from what we have seen to this point, is able to shut down just about any player he is assigned with.

How does this help Sixers?

The Sixers were not a good defensive team last year, often simply watching players walk to the hoop right in front of them. With Luwawu added to the team, and hopefully some increased defensive efforts from other players, it’s going to be harder for other teams to score.

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Although Luwawu can defend all over the floor, I think it will be smart to place him along the perimeter, in order to limit 3-point shooters’ ability to get ahead by hitting the long ball. Luwawu can stick with these guys even if they drive towards the hoop from beyond the arc.