Watching Jaime Jaquez Jr. every night, it's pretty obvious he's playing the best basketball of his career right now. And in the words of one NBA expert, Jason Timpf, Jaquez Jr. is quickly becoming a mismatch problem for opposing teams, and a real weapon for the Miami Heat.
"He’s becoming a simple post up mismatch for opponents. If you leave him 1 on 1, he’s really good at getting to his shoulder hook, his fade, or god forbid he just toast you off the dribble"Jason Timpf on JJJ
In bouncing back from a sophomore slump a year ago, Jaquez Jr. is averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists per game on 53 percent shooting from the field. He's been one of the most important players for the Heat this season, and his versatility on both ends of the floor has been a natural fit for Erik Spoelstra's new offensive philosophy.
Even with the return of Tyler Herro, it does seem as if Jaquez Jr. is going to continue to play a vital role for the Heat. And if they're going to continue to be one of the bigger surprises in the Eastern Conference, Jaquez Jr. is likely going to play a big part in that.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been a huge surprise for Heat fans
That's quite the shift from the narrative that surrounded Jaquez Jr. before the start of the season. During the offseason, many fans were "down" on Jaquez Jr. It's hard to blame them, considering there was not much promising about this team heading into what many were describing as a "gap" year.
Even the little excitement that revolved around the Heat mainly followed the likes of their other young players, like Nikola Jovic, Kel'el Ware, Pelle Larsson, and Kasparas Jakucionis. Sure, there were some optimists who were hoping Jaquez Jr. could break out of his sophomore slump, but those were far fewer and further in between.
Make no mistake, the Jaquez Jr. train is once again filling up. How could it not with the way he's playing as of late?
Jaquez Jr. has been a pleasant surprise for many Heat fans, and you'd have to think that's also been the case for many inside the front office as well.
It's still too early to tell if Jaquez Jr.'s play this season is going to dramatically change the Heat's outlook on his future, but there's no question it's given the fans - and the front office - something else to think about.
If this is indeed the "new" Jaquez Jr., it's an exciting new development for the Heat.