The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 reasons Philadelphia 76ers should play Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 09: New Orleans Pelicans Guard Jrue Holiday (11) puts up a shot contested by Philadelphia 76ers Guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (7) in the first half during the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers on February 09, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 09: New Orleans Pelicans Guard Jrue Holiday (11) puts up a shot contested by Philadelphia 76ers Guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (7) in the first half during the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers on February 09, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 09: New Orleans Pelicans Guard Jrue Holiday (11) puts up a shot contested by Philadelphia 76ers Guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (7) in the first half during the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers on February 09, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 09: New Orleans Pelicans Guard Jrue Holiday (11) puts up a shot contested by Philadelphia 76ers Guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (7) in the first half during the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers on February 09, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Reason one – Determine his full development before playoffs happen

The track record of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot so far is inconsistent offense with flashes of brilliance. Inconsistent defense with flashes of brilliance. But he is young, growing, and scrambling for playing time.  When the team drafted Ben Simmons in the 2016 NBA Draft, only a few of us were willing to discuss the point guard potential of Simmons on the Philadelphia 76ers roster.

And it was those same few who saw the tremendous upside developing Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot at the two while Simmons learned the point guard role. It may have delayed the post season run for the team this season, but the two players compliment each other incredibly well. Except the timeline. Simmons rolled ready into the NBA. TLC still needs a bit of polish to his game.

Start polishing, Philly

There is still time to get some of that polish. When Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot first arrived, he demonstrated instantly the ability to move off-ball, set up, and create. With the team’s reboot on line-ups each season, TLC did not get the opportunity to work much with the current team starting five. But when he did, he had solid outings. TLC had a four game streak during J.J. Redick‘s injury where he played an average of 31 minutes, and scored 15 points, 2 rebounds, while shooting 53 percent from the floor and 57 percent from three-point range.

That streak waned, Redick healed, and the opportunity to play more significant minutes has only happened one more time this season. In the end, the talent is there. Yes there is some refinement required. Yes, the coaches must polish his performance after each game. But abandoning the guy this season to invest all the minutes in players whose contracts expire seems very myopic indeed. For the good of the team, there has to be some middle ground where young players like Justin Anderson, Richaun Holmes, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot get opportunities in the rotation.