Fresh off the arrival of OG Anunoby, the Knicks had a remarkable January, confirming that this transfer was a good move for the New York franchise. But for almost a month, the winger has been absent, and this is the other counterpart of this exchange with the Raptors, Precious Achiuwawho is talking about her.
Faced with the avalanche of injuries, the interior has become an excellent spare wheel. Particularly because his activity under the circle, on offensive rebounds, is valuable, with 4.5 shots per game in the eleven matches he has started.
“It’s just a matter of tenacity,” does he deliver to justify his energy, with Dennis Rodman and Zach Randolph as examples. “It’s all about timing. I know I'm not the biggest, but I read the trajectories, depending on the shot, if it's going to go left or right. I can't explain how I make these play reads, it's instinct. »
But after a month in the major five, the Nigerian displays much more interesting figures than his simple presence on the rebound, with 13.7 points at 55% shooting success and 10.2 rebounds on average.
Will he keep his playing time with the return of the injured?
While he wasn't always consistent in Miami and then Toronto, he had a string of good performances. “The versatility of his game, the fact of making quick decisions”lists Tom Thibodeau on what he appreciates in his player. “Make screens and move quickly afterwards. It can also conclude in several ways near the circle. »
More comfortable as a strong winger than in a pivotal role, Precious Achiuwa is also starting to build a relationship with Jalen Brunson. “We've been playing together for a while, we see how defenses play us and we read situations more quickly. He is very good “comments the All-Star.
At the end of the contract at the end of the season, the interior has chosen the best time to shine. He gained in thickness, took his place in New York and we will have to see how Tom Thibodeau will organize his rotations when Julius Randle returns, who should regain his place in the major five in front of Precious Achiuwa, then if Mitchell Robinson returns to the competition.
| Precious Achiuwa | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | MIA | 61 | 12 | 54.4 | 0.0 | 50.9 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 5.0 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 73 | 24 | 43.9 | 35.9 | 59.5 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 9.1 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 55 | 21 | 48.5 | 26.9 | 70.2 | 1.8 | 4.2 | 6.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 9.2 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 49 | 22 | 49.8 | 27.4 | 62.0 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 6.4 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 8.0 |
| 2023-24 * | TOR | 25 | 18 | 45.9 | 27.7 | 57.1 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 5.4 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 7.7 |
| 2023-24 * | NYK | 24 | 26 | 54.0 | 26.9 | 69.0 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 7.4 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 8.4 |
| Total | 238 | 20 | 47.9 | 31.1 | 60.8 | 1.9 | 3.7 | 5.6 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 7.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
