Tag Archive for: Precious Achiuwa

5 Takeaways from Heat’s Preseason Game Vs Raptors

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Well, the Miami Heat had a picture perfect performance against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, mostly since their young prospects stepped up more than anybody could’ve expected. Since it’s preseason, it’s obvious that my takeaways begin there, so here are my five takeaways…

1. Well, KZ Okpala has been unleashed.

Many Heat fans have been so intrigued by the unknown of KZ Okpala. And well, now it’s known. Before discussing his offensive showing, his defense should not be overlooked. His perimeter defense is clearly a huge strength for him, and that’s been Miami’s weakness as of late, especially against a team like the Raptors. Seeing KZ put an immense amount of pressure on guys like Paschal Siakam was a great sign, mostly since he truly knows how to utilize his length to his advantage. Now to the offensive side of things, I don’t think anybody could’ve expected him to come out firing like he did, scoring 16 first half points with 4 threes. The corner three seemed to be there and he took advantage of it. I mentioned we’d see an aggressive KZ after he looked over the film, and that’s exactly what he did. He was confident putting the ball on the deck and driving to the rim. A confident KZ Okpala is a dangerous KZ Okpala.

2. Max Strus comes out firing.

Max Strus’ name was getting thrown around following Miami’s first preseason game, but in a very different manner. He struggled a bit early on Monday, but many seemed to forget that he was getting thrown into the fire. But well, it only took one game for him to get acquainted, going 3 for 3 from beyond the arc once subbed in. One thing about Miami Heat youth is that they have something to prove. Those are the types of guys that Miami targets, and it was clear he was ready to showcase his worth. As I’ve mentioned in the past, we’ve seen this story before with the Miami Heat. And when they begin to rave about their performances in training camp or practice, it should be no surprise that they are talented. Now it’ll be interesting to see how he is utilized moving forward.

3. Precious Achiuwa makes the necessary adjustments.

The things I mentioned were necessary for Precious Achiuwa to adjust were things involving the dribble hand-off and pick and roll. He came right in and began to set good, hard screens, which was clearly something they went over in film. That is a great sign for his ability to learn and adjust fairly quickly. Those hard screen then lead to easy points around the rim, especially when Goran Dragic is directing traffic. Goran set him up a few times, since Precious’ burst of energy after setting a screen is unmatched. And as discussed previously, he has great touch around the rim, which is something that you can’t teach. It’s obvious after evaluating Miami’s three young projects that the Heat’s development program deserves an immense amount of credit.

4. Bam Adebayo, playing at 20% speed, still looked impressive offensively.

Bam Adebayo definitely wasn’t a main topic from this game, mostly since he didn’t need to be. He clearly wasn’t playing at the same speed as usual, which is a good thing, but still showed huge strides of his offensive game involving his jumper. He displayed different variations of it, including the jab step, dribble pull-ups, and more. Once again, there’s not much to dive into when discussing Bam in this preseason game, but these flashes of his shooting ability is really a great sign. The confidence level when attempting them is what stands out most, since that’s been the question when talking about his full offensive package. And once again, there’s still so much more that we haven’t seen.

5. Just a friendly reminder that Jimmy Butler isn’t playing yet.

My main takeaway from this game is that their superstar, Jimmy Butler, wasn’t playing, and at times you may not have realized. One thing about Jimmy is that he has such a great impact when he’s on the floor, that he makes everybody better. And Miami getting some floor time without their leader may hold more value than you think. Duncan Robinson’s gravity is always being discussed, but what about Jimmy Butler’s gravity? When he begins to attack, it allows for Tyler Herro open threes or Bam Adebayo open dunks. So making Tyler and Bam have to create for themselves was important in these two games. Ultimately, Jimmy Butler will be returning on the first game of the regular season, which means every one of the players discussed will improve greatly.

Precious Achiuwa Making Game-To-Game Adjustments

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Much like the adjustments I mentioned KZ Okpala will need to make, the same goes for Miami Heat rookie Precious Achiuwa.

There are two totally different changes that each player will be making, but they are equally important.

Precious showed many flashes of his defensive versatilities that many have raved about, as well as great feel once he gets the ball around the rim.

But there are some minor fixes that I believe we see tomorrow night, involving dribble hand-offs and pick and rolls.

Passing definitely isn’t his best attribute, but that’s something that will slowly develop over time. Bam Adebayo had a natural talent involving those types of things since he’s basically a guard trapped in a big man’s body, which is where Precious differs.

There were many instances on Monday night where Precious would give a lazy underhand pass on a dribble hand-off, which obviously needs improvement since it’s something Miami uses religiously.

And when discussing his activity on the pick and rolls, he did a great job of slipping off the screen to try and get a bucket. But the issue is that all he did was slip off the screen.

I think the coaching staff will want to get a glimpse of his screen setting and rolling in tomorrow night’s game, since now that they got a look at his talent level in his first NBA game, it’s time to see how he reacts to the film.

And I’m very positive he adjusts well, mostly since he has mentioned quite a few times that he wants to learn the game and dive into film as much as possible.

We’ll see what he does in the last preseason game tomorrow, especially since Coach Spo will plug him in different spots to see where he works best.

Precious Achiuwa: “Guys Really Care About Each Other”

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Precious Achiuwa got to speak with media on Friday afternoon, and it’s clear he’s one of the most intriguing players heading into this season for Miami.

When asked about the process as a whole, especially with the absence of the Summer League, he said, “I do feel like I’ve been fast tracked.”

He followed that discussing his level of readiness due to his time at Memphis under Penny Hardaway. He mentioned that they had a similar style of play at Memphis so it translates well.

He was asked about having Bam Adebayo and Udonis Haslem as leaders on this team. He responded, “It’s been really helpful, especially UD, but Bam as well…Whatever question I have I go to them right away and they tell me what I’m doing right or wrong.”

When asked about his first impression of this Heat team, he said, “Guys really care about each other.” You know statements like this are true when every single newcomer says it in their media session.

Lastly he was asked about his role with this team, but as expected, he said, “I’m just willing to play whatever role I’m given.”

It seems unrealistic that he will have a significant role, if any, right away since no Summer League is a huge impact.

Kendrick Nunn talked about the importance of the Summer League, saying, “You get a little more feel going into Summer League…But with the Heat here, they’ve done a great job of getting guys like him ready to play, so we won’t have that problem.”

Comments like this truly show the confidence that every player has in this organization. And thy retaliate with confidence in their players.

It’ll be interesting to see both Kendrick Nunn and Precious Achiuwa in the preseason, since as I’ve mentioned, will be like a showcase for Miami.

And Coach Spo seems to think so as well, saying, “We will use some of it to evaluate.”

Miami Heat Preseason: A Youthful Showcase

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The Miami Heat are set to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans in their first preseason game on Monday, and well, it holds more value than you may think.

Something that has been discussed quite a lot lately is that the absence of Summer League, as well as the G-League, will ultimately take a toll on most rookies. Especially with a guy like Precious Achiuwa, since Miami’s developmental program allows guys to evolve rather quickly.

Due to not seeing any of them play in any type of NBA level game speed, the preseason games will be utilized as a type of showcase, especially for Miami.

The Heat’s rotation seems uncertain heading into the season, since not only do they have a lot of depth, but they have a lot of youth who have a chance at making yet another jump.

That starts with Precious Achiuwa and KZ Okpala, since giving them NBA level reps is the most essential element.

When Erik Spoelstra spoke about KZ, he mentioned that he just needs to put it all together. And the only way to do that is to get some quality minutes so he can get a taste.

Another guy that may benefit from the preseason games is Kendrick Nunn. He’s one of the most interesting names on the roster heading into the season, since on paper he’s probably the 5th guard, but he also is coming off a very impressive rookie season. There is a bit of recency bias after his play in the bubble, but he is still a quality rotaional piece who is still developing.

But as I mentioned, the preseason will be a showcase for the players, as well as an evaluation period for the coaches. If Kendrick shows offensive flashes as he did early in the regular season, there is no doubt that he will be utilized frequently on this Heat team this season.

Most of Miami’s players have pretty much proven themselves, but those three can definitely increase their value in these limited preseason games.

The coaching staff will not be making any rotational decisions that will be set in stone, which means if somebody shows some flashes, they can be inserted at any time.

This is the young guys time to shine. Go prove your worth.

Precious Achiuwa: “Do Whatever it Takes to Win”

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Precious Achiuwa spoke with media this morning after the first day of individual workouts.

“Do whatever it takes to win.” That seemed to be his primary focus when speaking about this Heat team, since it was repeated over and over.

That might be something he heard from Jimmy Butler once he got drafted, since Precious mentioned they spoke following the draft. Precious said, “He told me at the end of the day the goal is winning. And I want to win.”

Although Jimmy reached out to him, Tyler Herro seems to be the guy that speaks to him the most. They’ve obviously been working out together lately, but Precious mentioned it’s “Something we’re gonna do for a very long time, why not start off early.”

That quote may put some things in a different perspective, since some may want to constantly package their youth in a trade, while Precious and Tyler are looking to make this thing permanent.

Something else that was reiterated throughout the media session was his love for Miami heat basketball, even before he was drafted. “I love to watch winning basketball. I love to watch people play hard and that is Heat basketball.”

Precious Achiuwa clearly has to go through a unique path before starting this NBA season, due to the absence of Summer League, but he’s pretty confident that he is ready.

Miami’s role for him is a separate question, but he’s a guy that seems to have everybody in that locker room and organization excited.

Miami Has a Plan: Unknown Development

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The Miami Heat made two decent signings in free agency thus far after retaining Goran Dragic and Meyers Leonard. They brought in Avery Bradley and Moe Harkless on very good contracts.

This meant that they lost Jae Crowder to the Phoenix Suns. Although they made two big time acquisitions, that Crowder role will need to be filled, and I think it’ll be an in-house move.

Moe Harkless, in my opinion, is the replacement of Derrick Jones Jr, while Avery Bradley is the big time point of attack defender that Miami has needed. Now that the power forward position needs to be filled, there are two 21 year olds waiting to make that jump.

If Miami doesn’t go after a Jae Crowder replacement, it’s a clear indication that they believe in KZ Okpala or Precious Achiuwa to make that jump, or maybe even both.

It’s basically the Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro situation from this past season. A rookie immediately having a role, while a second year player who spent his rookie year in the G-League makes a big impact. We’ve seen this play out before, so what makes you think Pat Riley won’t do it again?

There’s a reason that Miami is reluctant to include KZ Okpala in any deals. It’s because they see something special in him, which isn’t a term that’s handed out freely from the Miami Heat’s organization. And Precious Achiuwa seems to be getting a lot of love too, since Pat Riley doesn’t always show that same excitement for an incoming rookie every year.

Since there’s less time for an incoming rookie to prepare, I believe KZ Okpala would probably be the more likely option that Miami’s waiting to let free. But once again, Precious could possibly be that guy as well.

As I said at the start of free agency, Miami will have a plan if Jae Crowder walks. Although that plan was to sign Avery Bradley, that is not a Crowder filler. And the reason they didn’t try and fill Crowder’s shoes in free agency, is because they already have two young wings ready to make that jump.

KZ Okpala. Precious Achiuwa. Your time is now. Go earn your spot.

Precious Achiuwa Drafted By the Miami Heat

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The Miami Heat got lucky in the 2020 NBA Draft, after a surprising player dropped all the way to pick 20, Precious Achiuwa.

Personally, I didn’t think he’d be available at pick 20, but I did mention in the past that it was intriguing that he worked out for the Miami Heat.

He gives Miami exactly what they lacked this past season, which is a Bam filler. Some believed they needed a guy that can do all of the things that Bam can’t do, but they instead went with the guy who can replicate a lot of the things he does.

For one, he has a very good face-up game, which is pretty similar to that of Bam Adebayo. He has the ability to drive to the basket off the dribble, and surprisingly utilizes a lot of the spots on the floor that Bam does.

That doesn’t mean they can’t play together. Precious has the ability to roam the baseline impressively, while playing outside of the box, which will allow Bam to continue to do what he does best.

There also won’t be much of a drop off on the defensive end when Bam exits the game, since he can guard anybody from a 2 to a 5. And after going up against the big man heavy Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, Miami knew he’d fit their needs. Not only for a guy that has size to grab some boards, but even to match up defensively against the many bigs and wings in the loaded Eastern Conference.

He’s a physical monster, and his biggest strength most likely begins with energy. Not many bigs play with high energy in college like Bam Adebayo did, but Precious does as well. He represents the type of grittiness and Miami Heat culture that they look for in a draft pick.

He also has the ability to shoot the ball, but that’s not his best attribute in my opinion. Miami wants their guys to play to their own strengths, which is why I believe he will have a role that I described earlier.

The shooting does seem to need some mechanical tweaks, which is a great sign. If he can just develop a consistent mid-range jumper, much like the one Bam Adebayo is looking to develop, he will be in fantastic shape.

And since he can play above the rim, it’ll be interesting to see how Erik Spoelstra utilizes him in the offense.

Although Miami didn’t make any ground breaking moves during the NBA Draft, it assuredly was a productive night.