: The NBA free market is in full swing, but 26-year-old former Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa is in an awkward situation. He is likely to only be able to sign a minimum salary contract, or even just a "working" role. In the past, his annual salary in the Knicks was as high as 6 million US dollars, but he never got the playing time and space that matched his ability.

From a technical perspective, Achiuwa does not fit the mainstream style of play in the modern NBA. He does not have a stable three-point shot and lacks the ability to attack independently. He is too short to play as a center and lacks the technical foundation for dribbling and shooting as a small forward. In today's basketball environment that emphasizes space, rhythm and ball handling, he seems "not very useful."

But as columnist Li Yishen said, "Making good use of Achiuwa is an important indicator of a coach's coaching ability." Achiuwa is actually a valuable hard-working player with excellent mobility, confrontation ability, defensive awareness and rebounding ability. Although he seems to have a single function, if used properly, he can become a very reliable eighth or ninth man, an indispensable piece in the championship puzzle of many strong teams.

For example, in the Lakers, Achuiwa can play as a center in a small-ball lineup, responsible for assisting defense, rebounding, and rolling after the pick-and-roll; in the Thunder, his speed and unlimited switching ability are very suitable for fast transfers and changing rhythms; in the Pacers' small lineup, he can play as a center to share the defensive pressure, allowing Siakam to open up space more freely. Even if Turner is on the court, Achuiwa can also connect in the bottom corner and disrupt the basket to achieve a variety of play styles.

The problem is not Achiuwa's ability, but how many coaches really know how to use him. Coaches like former Knicks coach Thibodeau , who emphasize discipline and fixed tactics, are often unwilling to take the risk of using such "difficult to define" players. The reality is that most NBA coaches still rely on data, fame, and impressions to select players, and lack the vision to truly understand the potential of role players and the flexibility of playing styles.

Li Yishen lamented: "The NBA is increasingly relying on fame and data rather than real coaching judgment. This is one of the reasons why the league is regressing." A truly excellent coach must not only understand tactics, but also be able to discover the role value of the players, give them trust and positioning, and play a role in changing the rhythm of the game at critical moments.

Achiuwa is the kind of hard-working player who is fast, can defend, and does not occupy the ball. As long as he is in the right position, he can become a surprise player on the court. His defensive coverage, fighting spirit and unpredictability may become the key to victory in the high-intensity confrontation in the playoffs.

He may be underestimated by the market now, but which coach or team can identify him, include him in the rotation, or even unleash his full potential will be a deep test of coaching ability. This summer, we will wait and see who can use Achiuwa well, skillfully, and efficiently.