Bet On TLC to Come Through
Patience paid off. Luwawu got the start on March 11, 2017 against the Los Angeles Clippers. His assignment was guarding sharpshooter J.J. Redick. Per an article by Jessica Camerato, that drew wagers from the coaching staff. The bet was simple. If Redick scored on his first shot in the game, TLC had to cut his hair.
Per that article, Redick took the first two shots, and missed both. Camerato even includes this blurp from Coach Brown:
"“I think that his (Luwawu’s) athleticism and his improving toughness and improving understanding of NBA basketball is equaling somebody that I feel comfortable playing, and to the point where I felt comfortable ending the game with him,” Brown said. “Although the stats don’t really show it, he had a solid game and I think defensively, when you look at J.J.’s numbers, I think it confirms it a little.”"
Redick finished the game with below average performances. While Luwawu did not play much better offensively, he held his own in the game.
But the best was yet to come. In fact, he finshed the season stronger than many expected