SA37 wrote:cupcakesnake wrote:Is Jaime Jaquez the Heat's best player this season so far?
Like, I know it's Bam because defense exists too, but after that, who's bringing more to the Heat than Jaime Jaquez? Their offense is based on a lot of one-on-one driving (no screen) and passing to create advantage, and he's their best driver. Norm and Wiggs are shooting the lights out and have higher ppg's, but watching the Heat... none of this works without effective drivers and that's Jaime this year. He's beasting on the interior, getting 36% of his shots at the rim and finishing those at 83%(!) He's been a monster from floater range too, and is diming guys up off those drives.
Not only does he get downhill like no one on this roster, but he can post up, keep his dribble, and find cutters. He's a real hub when he's on the floor. 5.2 assists to only 1.8 turnovers is impressive.
This Miami machine doesn't work without someone being able to get into the paint and draw help, and surprisingly, Jaime's been the one doing that.
Norman Powell is having a hell of a season. 24ppg on 46 FG% 46 3pt% (6 attempts/game) and he's getting to the line 8 times per game. IMO, he's far and away Miami's best offensive player.
Jaquez has a different game, but he is giving off a lot of Josh Giddey vibes with his all-around play. I don't think anyone expected Jaquez to play this well (I thought he'd lose minutes to Fontecchio and Larsson), but I hope he keeps this up all season.
Lots of guys deserve shoutouts on the Heat, and it's not obvious who's the best player (again, I just think it's Bam overall). Norm is a proven explosive scorer, weirdly having his best seasons in his 30s like he's Steve Nash or something. I think with Norm, he's still inherently a finisher. He's primarily a movement shooter and close out driver, so this offense is built for him perfectly to score in bunches. He can even iso and drive it himself in this spaced offense, if he gets the matchup.
Jaquez is bigger, stronger, more physical, and a much better passer. This offense needs someone to touch the paint, otherwise it's just guys rotating around and cutting against set defense. I think he's more integral to what the Heat are doing, though Norm is absolutely crushing it in his role.
Norm is currently the best scorer on the team, but I feel Jaquez is more of the hub.
The Heat are doing a lot better with Jaquez on the floor than with Norm, though the lineup with both is crushing teams. I think neither are amazing defender, but Jaquez is still better with his motor and disruption.
It's a tough question to answer for sure. And it wouldn't be the first time someone on the team went from benchwarming to starting to benchwarming again.
