Every summer, it's the same refrain… The players assure that they worked hard during the offseason, and that their priority is to become a respected defender.
Most of the time, this is not followed by any effect, but Jaime Jaquez Jr. is clearly aware that he will have to improve in this area this season. First because it is important to be a “two-way player” in today's NBA, but also because the Heat lost Caleb Martin and he has not been replaced.
“With the loss of Caleb, there will certainly be a void to fill on the ball side of defense. He is definitely a guy capable of stopping the opponent's best player or the one with the hot hand,” reports Jaime Jaquez Jr.. “I think my role can evolve and the coach can decide to give me the task of defending the best opposing player, following him everywhere and stopping him. I think my role can evolve in that direction.”
In the last playoffs, the Heat sophomore found himself facing Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday, and during the season, he took care of both Paolo Banchero and Anthony Edwards.
Miami is going to make some noise
How does he see himself progressing to stand up to them? “You just have to be strong” he answers. “I know I can be a little too aggressive and make some careless mistakes… I think what I can really improve on is being very attentive on defense. I don't overdo it, I just make sure I make it as difficult as possible for them to shoot or make sure they get rid of the ball.”
On the other side of the court, Jaime Jaquez Jr. looks to improve his 3-point shooting and creation skills to become a player “who the coach trusts in these types of moments.” Finally, the former UCLA winger intends to demonstrate that the 2023/24 season was just an accident, and that the Heat deserve better than this first-round elimination in five games against the Celtics, and these meager seven televised games on the national network.
“No matter what it is, we will find a way to get revenge,” he concludes thus. “If the Heat only have seven games on national television, that means that’s what the NBA thinks of us. That’s okay, because I guarantee they’ll still be talking about us when the season goes on and we’re playing our season. I think the media will always find a way to talk about us and what we do, and we’re definitely going to make some noise. They’ll have no choice but to mention our names.”
