The Miami Heat's new offensive scheme has offered Jaime Jaquez Jr. a much-needed lifeline to get his career back on track after his sophomore slump. Through the first handful of games in the regular season, Jaquez Jr. has successfully taken full advantage.
Jaquez Jr. has been so so impressive to start out this new season that I'm not sure where the Heat would be right now if not for his production through the first three games of the new campaign.
Interestingly enough, the Heat's new scheme plays right into Jaquez Jr. Without being so reliant on ball screens, Jaquez Jr. is able to thrive in a role that he's much more comfortable in. Whether it's leading the break, attacking the basket, filling the line, or making off-ball cuts, Jaquez Jr. has consistently found a way to make his presence felt.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s revival has been amazing to watch
Through three games, Jaquez Jr. has emerged third-leading scorer, the third-best rebounder, and is second on the team in assists. Jaquez Jr. is averaging 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on an absurd 71 percent shooting from the field.
I can't imagine Jaquez Jr. is going to keep up this amazing production and pace all throughout this season, but the start has been encouraging. For a player whose role on the team was not clear heading into the start of the season, it's great that Jaquez Jr. has emerged as arguably the most reliable player Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has turned to off the bench.
At this point, there's a strong argument to be made that Jaquez Jr. has, by default, embraced the role of the team's primary sixth man. Sure, that might change when Tyler Herro returns, when the Heat will likely move Norman Powell or Davion Mitchell to a bench role, but the team has to be pleased with what they've seen from Jaquez Jr. so far this season.
Again, who knows if the Heat's offense will continue to have as much success as they've experienced through the first week of the season? But a couple of things are clear: the team's new-look offense has given newfound hope for the franchise for this season, and it's also given Jaquez Jr. the perfect opportunity to thrive and bounce back in a big way after his sophomore slump.
The Heat would love to take both over the course of the next few months, but only time will tell if they will stick. At least for now, the rise of Jaquez Jr. has been one of the best stories in Miami.