The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers 2017-18 season report cards

By Rusty Gorelick

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 06: Philadelphia 76ers Guard Jerryd Bayless (0) drives on Washington Wizards Guard Bradley Beal (3) in the second half during the game between the Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers on February 06, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

Season stats: 5.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, one assist, 0.2 steals, 0.1 blocks, 37.5% FG, 33.5% 3PT, 79.3% FT

Grade: C

TLC did not make the sophomore year leap many fans wanted to see, but since he battled knee tendonitis at the end of the season, his development stalled. The Frenchman flourished when J.J. Redick and Jerryd Bayless went down with injuries, thus opening a spot in the starting five for the 23-year-old wing.

The 2016 24th-overall pick averaged 10.6 points on 39.1 percent shooting from the field and 42.5 percent from behind the three-point line, as well as 1.7 boards, and 2.3 assists in seven games as a starter in the 2017/18 season. Coming off the bench, those averages dipped to five points, 1.3 boards, and 0.8 assists while shooting 36.9 percent from the field and 30.5 from long range.

Clearly, Luwawu-Cabarrot has the same issue as Dario Saric: both players perform much better as starters than as reserves. This issue is bigger for TLC than for Saric since TLC will not become a regular starter anytime soon. If he can learn to score efficiently when coming off the bench, the ex-KK Mega Leks player will work his way back into the rotation and become the reliable backup perimeter defender the Philadelphia 76ers desperately needed this season.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot has top-tier 3-and-D potential, and the next 12 months will reveal a lot about the kid’s future. The Sixers will chase LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George this season, and acquiring any of them will see competition for reserve wing spots heat up in training camp. TLC needs to prove that he will be a positive presence for the team in 2018-19. If not, he could find himself out in the cold.