Jaime Jaquez Jr., regarded as one of the most mature young talents since entering the NBA after a four-year stint with the UCLA Bruins, still isn’t a perfect player. The 24-year-old’s game doesn’t possess any glaring weaknesses, but that doesn’t mean Jaquez isn’t prone to making mistakes every now and then.
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In the NBA, coaches don’t take boneheaded mistakes too kindly. Jaquez Jr. has had the first-hand, and unforgettable, experience of being on the receiving end of the coach’s ire too. When the forward was asked about his most intense practice moment, he remembered his encounter with Miami Heat HC Erik Spoelstra after he had messed up the team’s play during drills.
The incident coincided with a particularly frustrating period for the team. Perhaps the intensity of Spoelstra’s reaction had something to do with that. Jaquez Jr. recalled that the coach began yelling at him, threatening that his role as a starter would be in jeopardy.
“You better enjoy it now,” Jaquez relayed Spo’s words. “When Jimmy [Butler] gets back, your a** just getting back to the bench playing 15 minutes.”
Jaquez Jr. had stepped into a starting role following Butler’s injury at the time. And Spoelstra seemingly was making it clear that he wouldn’t continue once the six-time All-Star returned.
However, according to Jaquez Jr., Spoelstra quickly came to apologize after the practice, insisting he didn’t mean anything by his harsh words. Jaquez Jr. knows his coach wouldn’t intentionally belittle him and told Spo it’s all good.
This intense lambasting is a rarity between the two, as Spoelstra has been nurturing the talented forward since the Heat drafted him in 2023.
Spoelstra has supported Jaquez Jr. through his ups and downs
An impressive rookie campaign, recording 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, saw him finish in the top five in Rookie of the Year voting. Jaquez Jr., however, is in a bit of a sophomore slump this season.
But his coach has been there for him the whole way by helping him work through the inconsistencies. His scoring is still down from last season with an average of 9 points. But Spoelstra’s confidence could go a long way in improving Jaquez Jr.’s long-term outlook.
“He’s working at it, you know,” Spoelstra said of the young forward. “This is part of the grit you have to develop as a professional athlete, it’s not always going to be smooth sailing. It’s not always going to be linear, your jumps and your improvements.”
The coach added that these speed bumps aren’t always a negative thing but rather an opportunity to grow. Spoelstra believes that inconsistency is a part of any young player’s career, but the work can be put in to overcome it.
Jaquez Jr. recently lauded how hard he sees his teammates working to be their best. The second-year forward is keen to follow in their footsteps.
He played an important role, scoring 11 points in the Heat’s win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. Jaquez was on the court for 14 minutes in the game. It was a surprise for many since he was listed as doubtful ahead of the game.
And the forward’s performance is a good sign for the Heat ahead of the game against the New York Knicks.
