Philadelphia 76ers Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot taking game to next level

Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is a seldom used player. But his scoring and defense despite limited playing time warrants increased minutes.

When Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot steps onto the basketball court, fans cannot predict which player will show up that night. On one hand, it could be a very rookie-ish TLC who plays 24 minutes, but only scores nine points coupled with five personal fouls. He did just that in a recent game against the Orlando Magic, shooting 1-7 from the floor but 6-6 from the free throw line.

On the other hand, the fans might witness the very proficient TLC. The same player who put up 23 minutes against the Golden State Warriors, shooting 6-10 from the floor and scoring 15 points.  On any given night, neither the coaching staff nor the fans know which version will step onto the basketball court.  And for now, it’s truly okay.

TLC is AOK

You see, right now the team is earmarking quality minutes towards J.J. Redick and Jerryd Bayless.  And as long as that pair of veterans hold up, the team will likely not tap Luwawu-Cabarrot for the next month or so either.  Not unless one of the veterans tweaks themselves in a game.

But the upside of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is trending in a very positive direction. TLC is the highest scoring “non-starter” on the team. Considering his average playing time is a mere 16.3 minutes per game, he’s actually holding up very well despite his light usage. And his value is more than scoring.  He’s actually an up-and-coming defender who improves each week.

French forte’ is basketball

Luwawu-Cabarrot is one of the international players whose presence on the team adds diversity and expertise. France is not a nation one thinks of in terms of basketball prowess, but Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is doing his part to change perceptions.

And it may very well be that the Philadelphia 76ers drafting of Mathias Lessort is a direct result of how well the team is pleased with TLC’s performance to date.

What’s his upside?

Luwawu-Cabarrot is one of the “3-and-D” types who bring head coach Brett Brown’s face to smile a little bit. He is audacious on defense, not backing down from any player – no matter how stellar their reputation. And when he finds an offensive groove, he drives to the basket as though his moves were choreographed.

Consistency is his Achilles Heel. But last season, with the team forced to promote him to starter averaging nearly 34 minutes, he excelled.  He scored nearly 20 points, pulled down over three rebounds, handed out over two assists, and picked nearly two steals per game in the month of April 2017.  Given time, consistent minutes, and more games under his belt, he should improve to that level of play before season’s end.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers true strength is young deep roster

Next level

What will that mean for the team? A strong defender who can shoot the three-pointer at a 37 percent or better clip will be dangerously effective off the bench late in the season. He’s had some games with solid perimeter shooting. Over the course of the season, the frequency of those games should increase. And as they do, the peaks will grow ever higher.  In fact, TLC could very well challenge for starts before season’s end.

TLC is more than just a warm body. He brings unexpected high upside to a team already in the playoff hunt.  And just as he adds potential upside to the team this season, he will be a veteran presence next year.  He’s the type of player Philly fans rally around. He never quits, he never takes a play off. And he plays like it’s his first game, and his last.  That is the type of player who wins over Philly fans.