Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. drops truth bomb on how UCLA March Madness experience will help in NBA Playoffs

Erik Spoelstra talks about Jaquez’s big-game experience

This was a trait that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra touted throughout the whole season when Jaquez was producing at a high level leading to two Eastern Conference rookie of the month awards. Spoelstra said to ClutchPoints that “we’ll find out” what the postseason shows for the rookie, but credits how “poised” Jaquez has been as this last stretch has shown his room to grow.

“Yeah, we’ll find out, the playoffs always let you know, but he’s been very poised this season. And I think this last stretch has showed you that he has a capacity to grow and to learn. Early on, I don’t think he was on a scouting report,” Spoelstra said. “And then that changed how to deal with some injuries and missed time. But since he’s been back and got into a rhythm, he’s an improved player. You know, the stats may be different because we have all of our guys right now. He’s not getting all the usage that he was getting in December, but he’s an improved player. You need what what he’s improved at in terms of decision making, passing. his defense, those things you need in the postseason.”

Jaquez talks about getting back in to a groove after hitting a rookie wall

Jaquez was getting major opportunity earlier in the season, especially when Heat star Jimmy Butler was out for a significant amount of time, as with the two sharing some similarities, he was inserted into that role and excelled. However, as players got healthier, he would hit the inevitable “rookie wall” and racked some injuries, but still has been heavily involved in the Heat’s rotation as the UCLA product feels he is getting back to a good level.

“Yeah, definitely,” Jaquez said when asked if he feels he’s getting back a groove. “I even think even a little before that, I feel like I caught like a second wind throughout the season, as a way I would describe it. And, you know, body’s feeling good, energy levels are high really, excited to get to the postseason.”

What Jaquez has appreciated about his first season with Heat

While Jaquez and the Heat hope for many more postseason games in the near future, the rookie’s regular season has come to an end. After Tuesday’s practice, he spoke to the media about what he’s appreciated now being in the NBA for a whole year.

“I just appreciate, there’s one thing of being a fan and and to be a part of this league. I feel like it’s a much deeper appreciation, just for how well we’re taking care of, being able to play in front of great fans throughout the country,” Jaquez said. “And I’ve just been so appreciative of everything, I got to meet so many great people, make great teammates and friends and memories for this first year. I got a deep appreciation even more so than being a fan, being able to understand what it’s all about.”

Jaquez ended the regular season on a good note scoring 18 and 20 points respectively in the final two games against the Toronto Raptors and is looking to make an impact as soon as Wednesday against the 76ers. If Miami beats Philadelphia, they face the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, if not, they face the winner of the Chicago Bulls-Atlanta Hawks matchup in the tourney where the winner takes on the Boston Celtics.