The Miami Heat are feeling the chill this December - and not just from the weather. After a strong start to the season that had them sitting comfortably near the top of the Eastern Conference, the Heat have stumbled into a rough patch. Now just a couple of games above .500, they’re searching for answers after a stretch that’s seen their early-season rhythm fall apart.
But while the team as a whole has hit a skid, not every player has gone cold. In fact, a few individuals are heating up - and none more quietly impressive than Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Now in his second year, Jaquez has found his stride coming off the bench for Miami. He’s no stranger to bouncing between starting and reserve roles, but this season, he’s settling into that sixth man slot - and thriving. Through the ups and downs of Miami’s recent stretch, Jaquez has been one of the few consistent bright spots, and it’s why his name is starting to surface in Sixth Man of the Year conversations.
And he’s earned it. Jaquez is posting career-best numbers across the board: 15.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, all while shooting an efficient 51.2% from the field. Those are serious contributions from a bench player, and they’ve come at a time when Miami desperately needs someone to step up.
But if you ask Jaquez about the award buzz, he’ll brush it off like a veteran. He’s not chasing hardware - he’s chasing wins.
“It’s kinda hard, everybody’s on social media. So, of course, you see it,” Jaquez told reporters.
“But I try not to pay attention. My focus right now is on the team.
I think when you win, good things happen for individuals. Focusing on winning is the most important part for me.”
That mindset is exactly what Miami needs right now. This isn’t a team built around stat-chasing or individual accolades.
It’s a group that’s historically thrived on grit, depth, and a next-man-up mentality. Jaquez is embodying that culture, providing energy, playmaking, and scoring punch off the bench - and doing it all with a team-first approach.
While Norman Powell has also been a standout - averaging 24.6 points per game as a starter and proving to be one of the better offseason pickups - it’s Jaquez’s emergence in a bench role that’s been particularly vital. In a season where Miami’s offense has sputtered at times, his ability to create, facilitate, and finish has helped keep the second unit afloat.
The Heat still have plenty of time to right the ship, especially in an Eastern Conference that remains wide open. But if they’re going to climb back into contender status, it’s going to take more than just their stars - it’s going to take guys like Jaquez continuing to play above expectations.
He may not be focused on the Sixth Man of the Year trophy, but make no mistake - he’s playing like someone who belongs in that conversation. And if the Heat can turn things around, don’t be surprised if Jaquez’s unselfish, all-around impact ends up being a key part of the story.