What Not to Overlook After the Christmas Day Matchups
Here Comes Santa.. Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The Heat’s hot-handed rookie Jaquez Jr. scored a career-high 31 points in his Christmas Day debut. For the season, he’s averaging 13.1 points and shooting 50% from the field.
He’s smart. And plays smart basketball. He’s not in love with the three like most of his generation and actually plays with his back to the basket. He doesn’t waste his 6-6, 230 pound frame by hanging out on the perimeter playing spot-up shooter. No. He’s down in the paint banging for the high-percentage shot.
One could argue that Jaquez Jr.’s four-year stay at UCLA made him more NBA ready. I’m in that camp but not foolish enough to say that’s requisite to be an NBA-ready rookie. I would like to note, though, that this season’s top pick Victor Wembanyama (19 years old) started playing professional basketball at 15.
There’s something to be said about not jumping into the league too early and allowing talent to marinate. Jaquez Jr. did and now looks fantastic under basketball’s brightest lights.
The Heat sure know how to pick’em.
The Celtics Must Represent the East in Finals
There were many head-scratching moves the Celtics made during the offseason such shedding center Robert Williams and bidding adieu to Marcus Smart. And yet, here they are. 23-6. Top team in the East.
Jrue Holiday matters. He adds the on-ball defense they lost with Smart and much more scoring. And the happy-to-be-the-fourth/fifth-option Kristaps Porzingis is playing free. Playing, arguably, the best ball of his career.
It’s a natural fit. With all the talent they boast, there’s no excuse for these C’s not to be in the Finals this year. They’ll have a date with the Nuggets.
Yes, the Heat are screwy and the 76ers and Bucks super talented. But the Celtics have the best starting five in the league with some great talent on the bench. They’ve got to be heartbroken from underachieving season after season and ready to prove that this year is their time.
It’s now. The Celtics best get to the Finals — where they belong this season — and look to win it all within the next two seasons.
The Warriors Go As Klay Goes
This is a no-brainer but it cannot be overstated: if the Warriors have any hope of keeping their dynasty alive, Klay Thompson has to get back to being Klay.
Need evidence? Prior to Golden State’s Christmas Day loss to the Nuggets, it went 5-0. Klay averaged 24.8 points during the run. Against Denver, he scored nine points.
Draymond Green makes them a threat. Klay makes them a contender.
I’ve mentioned before in this space that as long as Green, Klay, Steph Curry and Steve Kerr are present, the Warriors have a shot to win every year. And by present, I mean being the legends we’ve known them to be.