After closing out the preseason strongly, Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s role with the Miami Heat is quickly becoming clear. For Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, it appears JJJ is going to be utilized as a Swiss Army knife, filling any gaps at positions 1-4 that the team may need at the start of the regular season.
And now that the Heat have cut Precious Achiuwa, there is at least some sense that the team is fairly confident in JJJ heading into the start of the season.
During the preseason, JJJ was one of the long bright spots for the Heat. Even though they finished their exhibition slate with an embarrassing 0-6 record, JJJ did show some promise, as the tea leaves do seem to suggest that he could be ready for a big bounce-back year three.
Finishing the preseason by averaging 11 points and three assists on 44 percent shooting from the field and 57 percent shooting from 3-point range, it's easy to see why there is growing excitement and optimism surrounding JJJ. He'll certainly still need to prove himself when it matters most, but it's clear that the confidence in him has certainly grown.
A bounce back season for Jaime Jaquez Jr.?
After his sophomore slump, the hope is that JJJ will be able to rebound in a big way this year. And the momentum he's built in the preseason certainly points to that possibility. Especially in a "gap" year for the Heat, JJJ could end up making a tangible difference in how this season pans out for Miami.
If the Heat are going to make any noise in the Eastern Conference, they're going to need at least a couple of their young players to make a big developmental stride. That likely includes JJJ.
Considering how versatile a player JJJ has to potential to be when he's playing well, there's reason to believe that Miami needs him to bounce back this year.
When JJJ is playing well, he makes like so much easier for this roster and Spo specifically. A player who could play all over the floor, JJJ could emerge as a much-needed key cog for this team. But much of that will rely on his ability to play at a consistently good level all year long.
And that's what plagued him most often than not last season.
It's not that JJJ was completely unplayable last season; it was the fact that he was not as consistent as the team needed him to be. And that was a big problem for JJJ, especially after such a strong rookie season.
Both JJJ and the Heat are hoping to put last year's disappointments behind them. If he can continue to earn the minutes, it's pretty clear how Spo is going to use him this season. All over the floor.