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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Philadelphia 76ers
PHILADELPHIA,PA – FEBRUARY 12 : Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Reason two – Try to restore the April 2017 version of TLC

In April 2017, TLC was very good. He flirted with 20 points per game. And his performance late in the season, despite losing games, helped restore optimism to the team for this season. But that momentum was lost from the moment the new season arrived. Still, a new season means new opportunity. Furkan Korkmaz arrived, but spent most of his healthy days with the Delaware 87ers. Markelle Fultz arrived too, but spent most of his time on the bench.

Before Redick was injured, the team directed most of the reserve two minutes at Jerryd Bayless. After Redick’s injury, the team began to roll with a nine man rotation, with TLC and Jerryd Bayless being the odd players out.

Mamma Mia Marco!

It was not until Marco Belinelli was signed that the team begain to rotate in a shooter for Redick. Now here’s where things get… strange. In February 2018, TLC averaged 7.7 points per game on 19.3 minutes, including shooting 44.4 percent from three-point range. The March 2018 version of Marco Belinelli is 9.7 points per game on 25.4 minutes, including shooting 28.6 from three-point range. TLC outperforms on virtually every other statistical category save one – personal fouls.

Since Belinelli arrived, he comes off the bench and TLC sits. But if playing time is earned, then the time would be split evenly.  TLC clearly has a higher ceiling then Belinelli. That amount of playing time, on average, would push Luwawu-Cabarrot into double digit scoring.  And if the team is truly trying to get the best players onto the court, I believe there is reason for TLC to play.