A little reinforcement for Karl-Anthony Towns under the circle? Affected hamstrings, Precious Achiuwa took a long time, but the Nigerian is not far from being able to make his debut in this campaign…
“I need to get back to the point where I am able to regain confidence in myself” he explains on the last step before his return. “I am an explosive player. And to be able to be explosive, I have to build that confidence… When I feel in optimal shape to play, I will be on the court. »
The former Heat and Raptors player therefore needs to feel completely in shape to play his game, which is based on energy. Enough to explain a much longer convalescence than anticipated, since there was talk of a return in early or mid-November. From now on, he is training normally and should therefore quickly return to the squad.
Helping the Knicks defense
Enough to relieve Tom Thibodeau who, in the absence of Mitchell Robinson, only has the inexperienced Jericho Sims and Ariel Hukporti as rotations in the pivot position.
“One of my strengths is defensive versatility, being able to defend leaders at pivots”assures Precious Achiuwa. “We’re already probably the best offense in the league right now. But how can I add to the team defensively and make us an elite team on that front? I think we have the potential to become a dominant team defensively. »
With 121.1 points scored on 100 possessions, the Knicks are in fact the best attack since the start of the season. On the other hand, they are only the 22nd defense, with 114.6 points conceded over 100 possessions. Not sure that the return of Precious Achiuwa will be enough to change this dynamic, but it probably won't do any harm.
| 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 | 74 | 22 | 50.1 | 26.8 | 61.6 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 6.6 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 7.6 |
| 2023-24 * | NYK | 49 | 24 | 52.5 | 26.0 | 64.3 | 2.9 | 4.3 | 7.2 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 7.6 |
| 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 |
| Total | 263 | 20 | 48.1 | 30.7 | 60.8 | 1.9 | 3.8 | 5.7 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 7.8 | |
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.
