The month of December has not looked good for the Miami Heat, no matter how many ways you look at it. All the things that were clicking for them to start the NBA season have completely fallen off, and now they sit just two games above .500, whereas a month ago, they were a top Eastern Conference seed well over .500.
Miami may have slipped in the last 15 days, but that doesn't mean individual performances and production have fallen off as well. Normand Powell, for instance, is averaging 24.6 points per game and making it appear to be one of the best offseason acquisitions out there.
Powell, however, is a starter for the Heat, averaging solid numbers. Whereas, Jaime Jaquez Jr., on the other hand, is averaging solid numbers for the Heat while coming off the bench. Jaquez has bounced from starter to bench over the course of his young Miami career, but he seems to have found his fit as a second unit player this year, and it's why he's in talks for Sixth Man of the Year candidacy.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. downplays 6th Man award and elevates winning games with the Heat instead
Jaquez is putting together a career year this season and has career highs in multiple statistical categories. He's averaging 15.6 points per game (11.9 in his rookie season was his career high), 5.8 rebounds (4.4 last season was his career high), 5.0 assists (2.6 in his rookie season was his career high), and he's shooting 51.2% from the field, the best Jaquez has shot in three seasons.
These stats are good for Sixth Man of the Year notice, and Jaquez has put himself in that spotlight. That said, Jaquez isn't concerned with or focused on the award. Instead, he has his eyes set on what matters most right now: contributing to the Heat winning games.
"It's kinda hard, everybody's on social media. So, of course, you see it. But I try not to pay attention. My focus right now is on the team," Jaquez said to TMZ. "I think when you win, good things happen for individuals. Focusing on winning is the most important part for me."
Right now, Jaquez is one of Miami's only bright spots while they try to figure out a way to get out of the current slide they're in. With the Eastern Conference being more open than it has in recent years, the Heat were in a position to be one of the better teams in the conference this year. Things started out well, but it hasn't been the same lately.
As for Jaquez, he's become an integral piece of the Heat roster, especially this season, and it's not surprising he's in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation. That said, an individual award isn't what anyone in Miami needs right now. They need wins, and Jaquez is right there for it.