Sophomore slumps can be commonplace not only in the NBA, but in professional sports.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s sophomore NBA season was one to forget.
Much of it was marred by a groin injury and illness, limiting his effectiveness. He averaged just 8.7 points on 54.3 percent true shooting in 66 games, essentially being relegated to the back-end of the Heat rotation, where his role shrank. His 3-point shooting plateaued; he had zero burst; his drives were very predictable; and he topped it up with poor individual and team defense.
Jaquez isn’t entering a contract season, but he will be extension eligible at the end of this season. Without Jimmy Butler for the first time since 2018-19, the Heat are pushing the pace faster than anyone in the NBA through a microscopic two-game sample.
And the Heat’s third-year forward has been one of the offense’s biggest beneficiaries.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. has thrived in the Heat’s new-look offense:
Yes, I’m fully aware it’s just two games.
We can only go off the sample we have, and the sample we have is that Jaquez has looked like a new man.
The 6-foot-6 forward spoke about how his confidence has been able to grow from the team’s fast-paced offense after Friday’s dominant win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
“I think being able to get into the paint is something I’m really good at,” Jaquez said after the Heat’s 146-114 blowout victory against Memphis. “It makes it easier. Everyone’s moving. Reads are easier — the decision-maker becomes a lot easier, and everyone becomes a recipient.”
A huge reason for the Heat’s ability to push the pace has started on the defensive end. Miami’s totaled 24 steals, the third-most in the NBA, leading to 39 points-off-turnovers (T-13 most). This clip above is one example of that.
Jaquez, defending Tyus Jones, doubles Paolo Banchero with his back turned at the nail, deflecting the pass as he tries to skip it to Jones in the opposite corner. Bam Adebayo corrals the pass and finds Jaquez on the hit ahead for the easy layup.
That’s the definition of great defense leading to easy offense.
While this clip above isn’t a steal, Jaquez forces a tough contested 3-pointer on Paolo Banchero late in the clock. Adebayo hauls in the board and pushes with four bodies spaced fairly well. But what Jaquez does here is very important: He uses his 6-foot-6 frame to seal off a much smaller Tyus Jones below the free-throw line extended, rising up for an easy bucket upon catching Adebayo’s entry pass.
Jaquez operates at his best when he’s not overthinking. His downhill aggression has always been one of his biggest strengths, but what this up-tempo offense has done is allow for the Heat’s best decision-makers to think quickly in space, where it won’t have to overcomplicate possessions in the halfcourt to generate simple advantages.
In this clip above, Jaquez didn’t think twice about playing through Jock Landale’s chest in a one-on-one semi-transition opportunity. He didn’t make his first attempt, but was able to get an easy second-chance bucket over second-year guard Cam Spencer.
His quick decision-making has fueled his offense in the half-court, too.
In the first clip above, Jaquez receives an entry pass in the mid-post against rookie Cedric Coward with 17 seconds left in the shot clock. He immediately ripped through to his right and nailed a tear-drop over Jaren Jackson Jr.
No ill-advised spin, no second-guessing — just playing strong and confident after generating separation (an advantage).
In the second clip, Jaime Jaquez Jr. breaks down Olivier Maxence-Prosper off the bounce with an in-and-out crossover after he sees Nikola Jovic clear out (his defender) to the corner. All it took was one dribble with a low center of gravity to explode for the nifty left-handed finish.
You know Jaquez is rolling if he’s this deep in his bag.
Receives an entry pass in the low post with 19 seconds left on the shot clock, takes two dribbles to his right, pump-fakes Banchero before spinning back counter-clockwise for the flush. Gorgeous footwork and even better execution.
Furthermore, he’s not only benefited from the Heat’s newfangled offense as a scorer, however.
Everyone ate in the Heat’s 32-point win, but Jaquez dished out six assists. Typically, he’s primarily functioned as a connective playmaker, but he made good decisions when he was tasked with initiating in transition.
Are these rudimentary, simple reads for Jaquez to make? Yes. But that’s also the goal if you’re playing fast. Ideally, as an up-tempo offense, you want your players to be making simple reads that lead to easy baskets in transition. If you’re making it more difficult on yourself, your process is likely flawed, and successfully executing possessions won’t be as sustainable.
The Heat have been subject to abhorrent decision-making in transition over the last few seasons. These first two games have been anything but, and Miami’s third-year wing has been an important reason why.
His 3-point shooting still needs work. However, if he can continue this trajectory, he will be a vital part of the Heat rotation all season, which will be big for his growth … and his upcoming payday.
“Jaime’s been in a really good place all summer long,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He came into (training) camp really prepared, clear mind. And I think how we’re setting things up really plays to his strengths.”
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Yes, the faster pace may be more suited to Jaime’s skill sets as he sometimes has more time to operate inside without as many bodies in the paint. Jaime’s does several things well but his ability to score inside may be his strongest suit. His footwork, touch, and his use of his bulk and strength can be tough to stop, and gives the rotation some needed scoring punch.
I see another Jovic-like extension in that boy’s future. Jaquez, Jovic, Dru or Mitchell, Fontecchio and a good PF/C type can do some damage this year off the bench. Vuvcevic sure would look good in a Miami Vice jersey.
chi beat det beat orlando is billy donovan ever gonna do anything as a pro was great at florida.thought vuc would be a laker by now.im not buying ayton stock so much