The return of Jaime Jaquez Jr. gives the Heat a ‘huge boost’ to start the season

ByNBAUSA


MIAMI – Like The Miami Heat had a huge win over the New York Knicks on Sunday night, 115-107, it was another impressive start for the team, filled with outstanding performances. With The heat does its new fast attack, one player who has benefited from it is Jaime Jaquez Jr., is coming out of a second-year slump.

After a successful rookie season, Jaquez regressed in his sophomore year, shifting his focus back to his strengths as a downhill playmaker rather than a knockdown three-point shooter. With Miami running at a fast pace, she gave Jakes a key role in the offense off the bench, and it paid dividends, scoring 17 points in back-to-back games with the head coach Erik Spoelstra giving the star its flowers.

“I think anything that gets him downhill and makes him aggressive suits him. We’ve had to really clean up our spacing and decision-making to make things easier for him. And now let’s just let him relax. He’s playing great basketball right now, he’s playing with super confidence. I want him to enjoy this right now, make the right plays, and he’s pretty simple,” Spo said.

“You know, even if it’s downhill, he’s simple,” Spoelstra continued. “He doesn’t get cut on one or two turns. He scores; if he doesn’t, he makes the right play on the punt. And that’s a credit to him. With a lot of work on them taking plays and studying film, and he’s been a huge boost to that second unit.”

Jaquez previously talked about using a mental coach in the offseason, giving him a clear mindas Bam Adebayo he pointed out after the game.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. from the Heat about the potential Sixth Man of the Year

Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) drives to the basket against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Kaseya Center.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

While others thrive with an up-tempo attack, like Newcomer Norman Powell transitions smoothly in the system, Jacques was probably the biggest benefactor. He’s back to playing his downhill strength and has the choice to use his physicality to gain an advantage at the basket or pass out for a potential open shot.

Jaquez has even been seen carrying the ball on the court, and Spoelstra has used him in a myriad of roles, as the 24-year-old told ClutchPoints after Miami’s win that the new offense creating plenty of room for him to make a play.

In addition to his point total, he also had 15 rebounds and 11 assists over the last two games, making a big impact. As the first man off the bench this season, Jaquez would even be questioned about the potential to be the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, but he believes that “too early” for that conversation.

“That was fast,” Jaquez said. “It’s something I didn’t even think about. We’re too early in the season for all that. We’re just having fun here as a team. On the second unit, I’m just trying to be that guy, be that leader. I’m in my third year here. So I’m just trying to lead these guys on the second unit and bring it every time. I always tell them, we’re either going to be the spark or we’re going to be on the gas. I’ve got to push him.”

After that, Jaquez’s role was considered “super important,” as Powell said, and the forward looks to continue it in Tuesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.





2025-10-27 22:01:00

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