If the Knicks can take one encouraging sign from their recent setbacks amid a rash of injuries, it’s the productive playing time that forward Precious Achiuwa has logged.
The Bronx native, who joined the Knicks along with OG Anunoby in a trade with Toronto on Dec. 30, lost 14.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 41.5 minutes in the final eight games before the All-Star break due to Anunoby’s recent injury absence. Recorded attendance. Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein.
“I talked about what Isaiah showed us earlier, and then Precious comes in,” manager Tom Thibodeau said after Wednesday’s road loss to the Magic, where the Knicks finished fifth in their last six games. Told. “Of course, there were things we liked.” [Achiuwa], that’s why we traded him. But he showed us a lot. And that gave us even more versatility. We now have size 4. He can play the 4th or the 5th, and he can play it well. “So that’s a big plus for us.”
As Thibodeau mentioned, the 6-foot-8 Achiuwa would give the Knicks depth at both power forward and center if other big men can return to the starting lineup.
He’s also been particularly effective offensively, grabbing 40 offensive rebounds in eight games, including two games this week in Houston (9) and Orlando (10). He has recorded 19.
“I think he’s giving a great effort,” Thibodeau said. “Not just the first effort, but the second and third as well. And he challenges every shot. So he develops a quick rhythm, takes rhythm shots, reads the ball well, and makes great efforts. I think they are doing a lot of good for us.”
Once the Knicks are healthy, Achiuwa will return to a second-unit role, but after using the diminutive Josh Hart primarily as Randle’s backup power forward earlier in the season, Achiuwa has been relegated to either big man position. Thibodeau is also available, giving Thibodeau a choice.
“I’m definitely a 4 over a 5, but that doesn’t matter to me,” Achiuwa, 24, said this week. “For me, it’s about doing whatever it takes to get a win. I’m a winner. I like winning basketball games. I don’t care about the extra stuff, it puts me in a better position to win. Just do what you have to do to get it there.
“Set screens, rebound the ball, defend the best player on the other team, steal, block, whatever it takes to win basketball games, that’s what I’m really looking forward to. I’m doing it. ”
