With Jimmy Butler’s absence from the team and post-suspension future still uncertain, somebody had to step up for the Miami Heat. The star had been starting in the frontcourt during each of his 22 games played this season. Butler was in the midst of another strong campaign, averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists on a career-high 55% from the field.
His two-way presence was also getting it done defensively, securing 1.2 steals in those games. It‘s undoubtedly some hard shoes to fill, and that missing all around efficiency needs to be taken as group. However, nobody individually has benefited and more taken advantage of Butler’s absence than Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The sophomore first round draft pick from 2013 is in the midst of an impressive run of late. A run that has looked very rookie year Jaquez-esque.
Over the last three games, Jaquez Jr. is averaging 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.3 steals on 56.3% shooting. The Heat have gone 2-1 in this stretch, including back-to-back wins after Thursday’s win over the Utah Jazz.
In that Jazz game, Jaime Jaquez Jr. posted an efficient near triple-double statline.
Miami outscored Utah by 4 points in his 36 minutes, good for the highest out of all the starters in what was as ugly win with limited offense. His assertiveness on the offensive end has provided a huge boost, and Jaquez is taking advantage of the opportunity with an increased role.
He spoke on the performance from him and his team postgame, stating:
“I really needed to make those free throws (down the stretch), make up for the last game. I’m really happy I got to seal it like that. Really proud of how the guys came out and played. We’ve been battling and working so hard. This was a win we deserved.”
The rim pressure and finishing while going downhill towards the basket has provided an impact to supplement the rest of the starters. He has the patience with the ball in his hands and crafty footwork, similar to Butler, on that low-post.
Jaquez has even been solid on the defensive end, getting active in all the passing lanes and holding his own on individual matchups.
It is encouraging to see these signs of life out of him, who has had a rough up-and-down 2024-25 season so far. This small three-game sample size has shown flashbacks of the player the fanbase watched for most of last season. He finished on the NBA’s All-Rookie first team, and even secured multiple rookie of the month honors just a year ago.
The biggest surprise during this stretch has been his ability to spread the floor. Jaquez went 3 of 5 from 3-point range in Utah, and even stepped up for some clutch ones in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
One can only help that the young 24 year-old will continue to build on these efforts and keep developing. In what seemed deeper than just a “sophomore slump” weeks ago, Jaquez has finally turned a corner. And it is starting to bring a real impact back to the Heat’s rotation.
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Going to be great when he and Tyler nuke Portland tomorrow. 😉
Juan wick with a full clip is some crazy good shiiii. Dawg be looking like a foul merchant slashing through the paint or Jaime buckets. His rebounding and playmaking has really impressed me, and defense is coming along nicely. Just wait until he gets a consistent 3pt shot…..and it’s game over.
I say we start calling him HIMARS Jaquez.
definitely not sure if jimmy can play better than jjj especially last few games.go on hippy keep taking the jaime highway