Timothe’ Luwawu-Cabarrot: ‘I want to stay in Brooklyn, I feel good here’

Despite a tough Game 3 (10 points and 2-of-11 shooting from deep), Timothe Luwawu- Cabarrot is doing well in the playoffs. He’s averaging 17.7 points and shooting 38.3 percent from beyond the arc ... and that comes after he averaged 14.8 and shot 42,0 in the eight “bubble games.” Four times in 11 games since the re-start, he tied or exceeded his single game high of 24 points.

In an interview with a French reporter, the 25-year-old spoke about how the Nets player development and family culture made him a better player ... as one anonymous former French teammate told Remi Reverchon, “He is finally becoming the player we saw him to be,” And he emphasized, he wants to stick around.

“I want to stay in Brooklyn, I feel good here,” Luwawu-Cabarrot told Reverchon.

“I have changed, I have grown, I have matured, I have worked a lot, I am much more confident in what I do, I am much more professional in the preparation of a game, in the way I take care of my body. It’s much more detailed, and I am much more alert.”

As Luwawu-Cabarrot told Reverchon, he faced a crossroads back in October. He had been cut by the lowly Cavaliers. He had what he called “shitty” offers elsewhere in the NBA as well as offers overseas. He chose the Nets, signing a two-way contract on Opening Day. Another attraction was that his agent, personal coach and many friends live in New York.

Then after proving himself as two-way and on two ten-day deals, TLC signed a standard NBA contract in February for two years, the remainder of this season and next, at the vets minimum. It’s not even guaranteed.

TLC says he understands that consistency will be critical, particularly next year when the Nets will have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. He’s had a few stinkers, but in the “bubble,” that’s to be expected.

“This is the very definition of the NBA!” he said of consistency. “We are 450 players from all over the world on 30 teams. And everyone has talent! It’s impossible to even just get to put a foot in it without it. That means anyone can have a big game, or even a big week. But what defines those who stay there for a long time is that they are able to keep a certain minimum, a floor in each game.”

Where will he fit next year? Contenders can always use high-energy players off the bench and one who can also play some defense. So far, so good.