r/heat • u/tomgreen99200 • 14d ago
Jaime Jaquez, Jr. says his two priorities for improvement are becoming a lockdown defender and a knockdown 3-point shooter.
https://x.com/5reasonssports/status/1786451329553924583?s=46&t=Ko2laA3UahM4baOxGGOq4w1
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u/Severe-Vermicelli-71 14d ago
Unfortunate that Jaime isn't a great fit with Jimmy. His best games pretty much always came when Jimmy was out. Adding a shot will help but ultimately I think they just overlap too much.
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u/jcwrit 14d ago
Does it really matter? Even if Jaime becomes the player we all want him to be it will be at a time when Jimmy is either out of the league or taking on a lesser role.
To me the best case scenario is that he can be Jimmy's successor. Expecting him to be the sidekick in year one or two is probably too much of an ask.
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u/IamRaith 14d ago
I mean that’s nice and all, but how about your ball handling?
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u/simonlyw 13d ago
You’d hope that would come from somewhere else next season. He can’t add everything at once, becoming a good 3&D player for now and growing from there is a good route for him.
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u/Changin-times 14d ago
JJJ played in more games than any other player on Heat and his 2 pt % top few on team. 3 points wasn’t his game Huge difference when he is in court vs not Maybe too much a play maker but it’s fun to watch
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u/xlalalalalalalala 14d ago
Busy summer for the rook. I hope he heals properly and also add finishing to his to-do list.
He had a great 1st year imo.
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u/Abominablesnowman8 14d ago
Ball handling should be another
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u/Changin-times 14d ago
Not sure I’ve seen him lose the ball beyond a minimum but he will get better.
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u/Abominablesnowman8 14d ago
I’m guessing you didn’t watch the playoffs then, or the play in games
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u/Disc-Golf-Kid 14d ago
That’s like one of his top strengths tf
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u/Abominablesnowman8 14d ago
He most definitely can handle, but he can improve with his left hand. He was stripped or lost control when pressed towards the tail end of the year. I’m pretty sure I heard an opposing player talking about a game plan against him when he was handling the rock
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u/Changin-times 14d ago
I must have missed those games. He played 4th q minutes because he didn’t turn ball over and his bball IQ.
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u/OrganizationFar6086 14d ago
Him and Herro sorta threw the game against Philly in the play in. I’ll admit towards the end of the season, his dribble and post moves weren’t as effective. But, it’s still a huge strength for him and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him improve there going into next season. Still would expect to see more drastic improvement from Jovic. So young and outrageously talented. He might become a second option on offense
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u/iliveonramen 14d ago
Highsmiths shooting took a huge leap this year. If anyone can get his shot down and up his defense it’s this coaching staff.
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u/OrganizationFar6086 14d ago
Jaime has really nice mechanics to start. He shoots square to the rim and sets his feet really well, feels like he can easily develop his shot into being extremely efficient
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u/Yahm-Saiyan 13d ago
Bros fundamentals and footwork are 10 year vet. All he needs is a bag and hes 25+ a game min.
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u/switchn 13d ago
I don't think he's ever gonna be 25 ppg but an efficient 15-20 with great defence is an incredibly valuable player
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u/Yahm-Saiyan 13d ago
I do. When you come into the nba with such polished fundamentals, it carries you far, add in high skill and that player is on another level. If and when he hits his stride hes gonna be getting alot of easy buckets just off clever footwork around the rim, add in the random mismatches hell get on the block and thats already 15 a game. He avg 12 this year. If this 3 point shot hes on about blossoms into 38-40% avg but knocks down the open ones were up to 20+ range already. And noooow it comes down to is he that 25 a game guy. So far, why not?
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u/GrogRhodes 13d ago
I agree with you. His ability to absorb contact and finish is there. So getting chased off the line is gonna lead to a high ppp for him. I think he’s gonna see a massive jump this offseason along Niko. These guys’ body of work has been solid even before being in Miami.
A little polishing and refining of his float game too probably happens when he’s working on his shooting drills.
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u/MySilverBurrito 13d ago
If he can get that shot up quicker, he's instantly a scarier threat from the perimeter.
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u/LobstaFarian2 13d ago
And his driving ability will be put on display if defenders have to scramble to close out to the 3pt line. It will open up everything for him.
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u/Dame2Miami FUCK BOSTON 14d ago
Was looking so good for a rookie until his shooting took a 90 degree nosedive around halfway through the season. Dude HAS to get his shot back or what are we even doing. Just a bit too small to be a 4 so we need the outside shooting bro please.
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u/cl353 14d ago
shooting took a nose dive when he got that groin injury
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u/Dame2Miami FUCK BOSTON 14d ago
That was like 4-5 months ago…if it was still bothering him after all this time then there’s a bigger problem with medical staff clearing him prematurely, or he hit the rookie wall after being added to scouting reports. Hope he takes the next step in just a bit concerned.
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u/Mofo_mango 14d ago
When you get an injury, your muscles memorize how to move to compensate with an injury. This lasts well into and even after recovery. Sometimes you just need an offseason to break the bad habits you form over the season.
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u/iankstarr 14d ago
No reason to be concerned, he showed a ton of potential and then hit the wall. Super normal stuff for a rookie. I trust his work ethic; he’ll bounce back big next year.
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u/JustiseRainsFrmAbove 14d ago
Anyone who has the work ethic to learn post moves is a baller in my book lol
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u/Unlikely_Sherbert_75 14d ago
He stay
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u/Tangerine605 14d ago
Yeah based on all that trade drama last offseason and everything we’ve learned since then, Jovic and Jaquez are here for the long haul. Both will be ready to be high level role players next season.
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u/GrogRhodes 13d ago
I feel like people don’t know or forgot but like Caron Butler is Jovic’s mentor. He’s definitely not getting moved. Caron is Spo’s guy for building these young guys out wouldn’t waste his time if we were looking to move. Also like Jesus his last 12m physically
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u/Tangerine605 13d ago
True, Jimmy took Jovic under his wing too. Seems like there are a lot of guys invested in his development and I actually think Spo being hard on him is a good thing when you take into account his rapid development, I don’t think stardom is out of the question.
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u/masterace01 14d ago
Assuming you don't want to "run it back," what moves can we make to improve if we keep our most valuable assets??
Tyler or god forbid Butler ain't bringing back much.
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u/Stunning_Variety_529 14d ago
Herro, picks, and filler as part of a sign and trade if Spida chooses to sign here?
Potential 6 Man Rotation: PG: Spida (I trust his chemistry with Bam) SG: Duncan (if not included in the trade) SF: Jimmy PF: Jovic C: Bam 6th Man: Terry/Duncan
With more steps from Bam offensively and growth from Jovic and JJJ I think that's a very solid lineup.
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u/masterace01 14d ago
lol Cleveland ain't takin that shit. 😂
We're so fucked.
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u/Stunning_Variety_529 14d ago
It's literally a sign and trade. If Mitchell actually wants to come here, he'll be here. This isn't like Dame or the rest of the regular traded players.
I remember when we were so fucked before we got Jimmy Butler for Josh Richardson and Hassan Whiteside.
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u/Candid_Sand_398 13d ago
All the exit interviews were worth a listen! In full.