He is undoubtedly the player who best symbolizes Erik Spoelstra's difficulties in finding the right balance with this Miami squad. Because holder at the start of the campaign, then replacement, Nikola Jovic no longer plays…
“Of course I’m frustrated, just because I’m not playing.” he admits. “But it shows I still have work to do.” This is what I'm doing currently. We have to regain this trust with the coaches. »
To be precise, the 21-year-old Serbian was unavailable for two of the last six matches during which he did not come into play, the fault of a sprain suffered in training. That doesn't mean he's no longer in his coach's rotation, which he attributes not only to his level of play, but also to the complementarity of the group.
Too shaky defensively?
“I know I’m good enough. I know I'm a good player.” he assures. “I don’t think that’s what it’s about. This is the style of basketball we want to play, the things the coach expects from certain groups. These are things I don't currently stick with. That's why I'm trying to work on all this to come back. But I don't question my qualities at all. »
To be clear, Nikola Jovic seems to be paying for his defensive limitations, while the Heat already has a player almost systematically targeted by opposing attackers (Tyler Herro). Even if the person concerned denies it.
“I'm comfortable, especially when we play certain teams, who choose certain duels. And when I switch to face them, I see that it's not the duel they're looking for. So that tells me I can be a good defender. I'm not saying I'm a great defender but I'm absolutely certain I'm not a weakness. »
The advantage, for the 27th choice of the 2022 Draft, is that this is far from the first time that his role has evolved drastically in Erik Spoelstra's rotation. “And it won’t be the last” he can even announce.
| Nikola Jovic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 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 |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 46 | 20 | 45.2 | 39.9 | 70.2 | 0.5 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 7.7 |
| 2024-25 | MIA | 14 | 18 | 44.8 | 31.8 | 80.0 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 7.7 |
| Total | 75 | 18 | 44.4 | 36.0 | 77.9 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 7.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
