After being sidelined for the first two preseason games due to a left wrist injury, Miami Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis made his first appearance since July against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
And the Heat’s No. 20 overall pick left a strong first impression, finishing with eight points, a game-high 10 assists, two steals and one block in 25 minutes. He was everywhere from the first second he stepped onto the hardwood, which Erik Spoelstra commended after the team’s 112-107 loss.
“He’s been around really since right after summer league so we’ve been able to see him in his workouts,” Spoelstra said after the game. “You see his tenaciousness in his approach to everything. He’s full speed, has a real kamikaze element to him.
“He’s like jet fuel. Immediately, you feel like his energy, his speed (are there). And it was great to have him out there. It was fun, those minutes. We didn’t get the win, but the second unit played winning basketball. It was really good basketball. It was fun to watch and I really respected how hard they competed.”
The Heat’s aforementioned second unit primarily consisted of Jakucionis, Pelle Larsson — also appearing in his first preseason action — Jaime Jaquez Jr., Keshad Johnson and Kel’el Ware, who scored a game-high 29 points and was the primary beneficiary of the rookie’s presence.
Jakucionis’ vision and playmaking was on full display, flashing his loaded arsenal of passing in the pick-and-roll and as a downhill creator — setting up Ware for six of his 10 assists.
“He has a vision,” Spoelstra said. “I think (his vision) led to some of the turnovers in college — with what he’s crazy enough to (do to) try and make a play. He has the vision. … Sometimes, he just makes the easy play and gets off it. That’s what receivers like to get — an early ball where they can go make a play. He did that several times. … You could see a natural connection between him and [Kel’el Ware].”
Listed at 6-foot-6, Jakucionis and did a good job sliding his feet against San Antonio’s ball handlers. His defense was his most impressive feat in Summer League, so it was a very good sign to see all of it carry over on an NBA hardwood — albeit in preseason.
“I’m just trying to play fast, even though I think we can play faster,” Jakucionis said after the game. “Everything just comes from practice — trying to do my job.”
It’s still way too early to make any conclusions, but it was hard not to be impressed with Jakucionis’ play in his first NBA action. What are you looking to see from him for the rest of preseason? Let us know in the comments!
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The initial reviews about this kids skills and potential were absolutely true. There will be several teams kicking themselves in the ass for letting him drop to #20. Their loss is Miami’s gain. The young core Miami is assembling should help make the team competitive for years to come
He seems, so far from what we’ve seen, to be a gifted athlete, quick reactions and high agility.
I agree. I think his defensive potential and suitability to play both PG & SG have gone under the radar. Here’s one of his pre-draft profiles:
Analysis
Jakučionis is an adept playmaker capable of scoring or passing from anywhere on the floor. At 6-foot-6 with good footwork, feel for the game and shooting touch, he can play many roles, including that of a primary playmaker. He easily sets up his teammates, threading the needle for easy scoring opportunities. Despite not being an elite athlete, Jakučionis can also create his shot with quality dribbling, hesitation moves and a developing stepback jumper. His understanding of angles and advantages allowed him to average 5.1 free throw attempts per game. On defense, he isn’t elite but is solid enough to thrive in a scheme.
Projection
Jakučionis projects as a combo guard in the NBA, though one who may be more comfortable as a passer than a scorer out of the gate. That gives him a high floor as a potential sixth man early on, if not a starter. In terms of play style, he shares similarities with players like Austin Reaves and Goran Dragic.
— Profile by RotoWire.com
reaves one on one player no . dragic maybe,i think he reminds me of donte divecenzo.lets see him vs the youngs maxeys and brunsons of the world
He’s 19. It won’t happen overnight. I think his defense will be better than any of them. None known for their defense.
No worries. He only sees the defensive deficiencies of players on his ‘favorite’ team while ignoring them on other teams.
Oh, OK. Now I see how he rolls. One of those types.
Sunman:
“Hey heat, I just won some money at the casino. Here’s $100. Enjoy.”
heatforlife:
As he snatches money, “Why didn’t you give me this money yesterday when I could have really used it.”
Sunman:
Snatches money back. Gives it to RC instead, telling him it was courtesy of h4l.
~ The End ~
id rather u have given it to 30 or big..
I figured that much.
can u blame me after watching 55 for 5 years ,he wrote the book on def deficiencies.co authored by none other than tyler hes not my herro..
Maybe Riley will find a way to trade Herro before he has to pay him. $40-$50M per year is too much. I still like a trade with Pelicans for Zion, Dejounte Murray or Trey Murphy. Pelicans also has frontcourt depth which could be included in trade package.