Rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. wasn’t the only one to shine with Miami last night. At his side, the sophomore Nikola Jovic was indeed illustrated with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in 27 minutes (7/12 in shooting, including 2/4 in 3-points, and 5/7 in throws). The automatisms between the two young people are even already to be underlined.
A performance in any case convincing from the Serb (despite 4 ball losses), at the end of his first delicate year in the NBA.
Weighted with 10 extra kilos
” Last season was really complicated for me », did he thus recognize, out of victory against the Lakers. ” During the season, [Erik Spoelstra] slotted me into the starting five a few times, so now I can appreciate how fast the game is. I just needed some time to adapt and, [hier soir], I felt good. I didn’t feel any pressure, I was really confident and the game felt slow. »
Physically, Nikola Jovic no longer has much to do with the young weakling drafted by the Heat in 2022, because he has since gained almost 10 kilos and, on the court, it is starting to show in his game.
” I feel good physically and I think everyone could see that I am now using my body wisely. “, he estimated, even if he also regretted not having concluded actions more often despite the contact of the defender.
Will he stay at the Heat?
Encouraging and interesting progress therefore, which could allow Nikola Jovic to find a place in Erik Spoelstra’s rotation next season. If he starts, in particular, to think more about himself…
” He’s almost too altruistic, so we just encourage him to be aggressive, stay that way, and play his game. “, thus underlined Caron Butlercoach of the Heat in the Summer League, who continues to want to put the ball in his hands this summer.
Of course, Nikola Jovic’s short-term future in Miami will certainly depend on the Damian Lillard dossier, as it could well be that the 20-year-old Serbian is included in a possible transfer, given his attractive market value…
| Nikola Jovic | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 15 | 14 | 40.6 | 22.9 | 94.7 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 5.5 |
| Total | 15 | 14 | 40.6 | 22.9 | 94.7 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 5.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
