Behind Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama, the two best rookies of the 2023 vintage are currently the 18th and 19th choices, Jaime Jaquez Jr And Brandin Podziemski. The two players don't look like much, aren't that athletic, and yet they share qualities that allowed them to force the hand of Erik Spoelstra and Steve Kerr.
The Heat and Warriors share offensive principles that work with very smart players. Both Jaquez and Podziemski have a feel for the game and that is the reason why both franchises loved these two players. The neo Warrior also explained that the two players spent a lot of time together before the Draft, doing the same workouts for the same franchises, sharing the same flights and the same hotels.
The Heat and Warriors both loved
“For the record, the night of the Draft I sent a text to Spo (Erik Spoelstra) to tell him that I really liked the player they had drafted, and he replied the same thing,” Steve Kerr remembered. “They really liked Brandin (Podziemski) and we really liked Jaime (Jaquez Jr.). Both players are having a great start to the season. »
Since November 8, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has scored 10 or more points in 22 of Miami's last 24 games. He set his career high on Christmas Day with 31 points, and became one of the Heat's major players alongside the Butler – Adebayo – Herro trio.
“Jaime is impressive for a rookie,” said Steve Kerr. “He is strong, he is physical, and he has a lot of talent. He has experience having spent four seasons in college and he is making a real impact for Miami. »
At 1m98 and 102 kilos, Jaquez used his physique to dominate Golden State's smaller players. He took the match into his own hands in the third quarter to repel the Warriors' attacks and give the Heat more than ten points in advance. He finished the game with 17 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.
Podziemski sends Wiggins to the bench
“Did we expect him to play this much? Probably not, but we always remain open to any eventuality. We wanted to see how he would progress, who he could play with, and where he should develop,” explained Erik Spoelstra. “He has been consistent since the start of the season. He demonstrates a certain emotional stability and experience that rookies don't usually have. That said, he is still learning, particularly about our defensive principles and the league in general. He has a lot of room for improvement on this point. But from a competitive point of view, it adapted to our standards without the slightest problem. »
Opposite, Brandin Podziemski demonstrates the same ability to not only hold his place on the field but has brought added value to Steve Kerr and the Warriors. He took Andrew Wiggins' place on the field and continues to prove that he deserves this starting place as he gives an extra dimension to Golden State.
“If you watch the video in slow motion, Brandin is always first on the ball or first to the ball,” pointed Steve Kerr. “He feels the game, he is always in a good position, and he has also become one of our best defenders. »
Spoelstra echoed his counterpart's comments when discussing the rookie's qualities. “Some players have a feeling for the game and for finding intervals that don't seem to be there. This is his case,” he described. “We gave him an opportunity with the absence of Draymond Green and I think he really boosted their attack. »
Jaime Jaquez Jr and Brandin Podziemski, complete and intelligent rookies
Despite the Warriors' non-match last night, Podziemski (10 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds) was one of the only Golden State players to take initiatives against Miami's zone defense. While most of his teammates were frozen and waiting for the movement of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to create something, Podziemski often flashed through the middle of the defense or attacked the intervals to create mismatches.
Like Jaquez Jr., the Warriors rookie has scored 10 or more points in 10 of the last 13 games, and he is in six games with at least 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Podziemski is in all the right places. This was already the case in Santa Clara last season and he has brought the same provisions to Golden State since the start of the season.
” He is impressive, “ concedes Erik Spoelstra. “We studied him a lot before the Draft because we knew he was going to be chosen between the 15th and 20th choices. He's a pretty unusual player and you can see it in the way he plays for the Warriors. He arrived in the Draft as a guard of average size but who was the 2nd best rebounder in his conference. It's quite unique. This quality has translated to the NBA level and it shows you that no matter your background, you can succeed. In Miami, we respect that kind of tenacity. »
Comments collected in San Francisco.
