Last season, the Miami Heat faced a setback in the NBA playoffs, falling in the first round to the Boston Celtics in five games. The absence of Jimmy Butler, sidelined by a right MCL sprain, was sorely felt. But now, head coach Erik Spoelstra seems to have identified a capable stand-in for his star player.
On Tuesday, the Heat edged out the San Antonio Spurs 120-117 at the Kaseya Center, thanks in part to an impressive showing from Jaime Jaquez Jr. The young forward delivered 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in just 18 minutes of action, playing a pivotal role in the victory.
After the game, Spoelstra praised Jaquez Jr.’s performance, stating, “Part of Jaime’s talent is he can create something out of nothing… You feel that he can create something aggressive going into the paint and he’s been intentional and diligent about working on making plays as well, because teams are scheming him a little bit more if he catches it in that mid post.”
Expectations for Jaquez Jr.’s second season
In his rookie campaign, Jaime Jaquez Jr. flashed his potential, averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 75 games. Now, there’s anticipation around his growth and the possibility of becoming a key player for the Heat.
“I think for everybody else, it’s just about does the scoring average go up?,” Spoelstra remarked. However, he emphasized a broader focus for Jaquez Jr.: “His impact defensively, I think will improve, feeling more comfortable in our defensive system, being able to take the challenge and do more things on that side of the floor.”
Regarding Jaquez Jr.’s offensive development, the head coach added, “I think just naturally getting a better idea of how he was defended the second half of the year, how teams started to scheme for him and show a little bit more attention to his touches, and particularly in the post. I think he’ll make improvements in that area as well.”
A potential relief for Butler
Jimmy Butler remains the linchpin of the Miami Heat. Yet, questions linger over his durability as the new season approaches. Having Jaquez Jr. step up and adapt to the team’s dynamics could ease the pressure on Butler and the coaching staff.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s versatility—able to play both shooting guard and small forward—offers Erik Spoelstra a valuable option, providing the chance to rest Butler when needed and distribute the workload more effectively throughout the season.