TLC For TLC
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, or TLC, was drafted in the 2016 NBA at 24. He is a raw and undisciplined wing man whose potential for the enviable “3 and D” role on this team is very high.
For now, he is buried on the roster behind Gerald Henderson, and Nik Stauskas. But of the bunch, I am most optimistic about his long term role for this team.
He “gets it”.
Soaring Down South
TLC does not get many opportunities with this team. On a team with virtually every other player averaging better than 15 minutes per game, TLC is averaging 6. Of those appearances, he arrives at the end of the game, well after the competitive aspects of the contest have been decided. For the season, he has scored a total of 27 points, and hit on just one of seven shots from three-point range.
So let me admit it here and now. I am biased.
I loved the pick then, and I love the player now. Despite coming in as the janitor to games, he arrives with such energy and staunch defense that he is a joy to watch. He has excellent movement without the ball, and does not back down when facing any NBA player. In fact, he is showing lots of discipline on defense when playing even very limited minutes.
His preseason contests were a completely different story, when he averaged over three personal fouls per contest.
But it’s his potential when paired with fellow 2016 draft selectee Ben Simmons that holds the most promise in my mind. Joining the NBA side by side, developing as an NBA back court together, holds huge upside. It will take superhuman patience to see it to fruition, but they could be ideally suited for one another.
Next: 3 Reasons to Keep Sergio Rodriguez Around Past This Year
In the end, this team has a long journey ahead of it. To make the journey, the front office will need to identify the Philadelphia core today. No matter who gets on the bus over time, players will need to join the Embiid Simmons Bus. Next stop, champion city.