Chemistry is invaluable for almost any team sport, but that especially applies to a basketball squad. In the case of Kevin Love and Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat, some on the team would deem their connection fate, given both players’ UCLA ties … roughly a dozen years apart.
Whether providing spot minutes as Bam Adebayo’s backup, tossing his trusty outlet passes for streaking teammates or being a veteran presence in the locker room — where he and Jaquez sit alongside one another — the 36-year-old Love remains one of the NBA’s most reliable players both on and off the court. He and Jaquez, 23, have become close over the years since first meeting at UCLA during Jaquez’s freshman year.
The depth of their connection centers on respecting one another’s vibes and pushing each other to get better, whether it’s Love maintaining his hold as a leader or Jaquez continuing to adapt to the NBA level through practice and mentorship.
“He’s an old soul,” Love told The Athletic about Jaquez. “He’s somebody I’ve watched for a long time. For me, he was my favorite college basketball player from the time he was in UCLA to coming here now. We know a lot of the same people. It’s a storied tradition. But just in hanging around him, it’s been good to get to know him because he does have an old soul. He knows a lot of the stuff I know. It’s refreshing to have somebody like him around.”
Some of Jaquez’s numbers have dipped from what was an impressive rookie season, but he’s still finding ways to make an impact while seeking growth. Statistically, his shooting efficiency has waned, but he’s compensated by attacking the glass with more effort (averaging 4.8 rebounds this season after 3.8) despite his playing time decreasing. And though his true shooting percentage has declined from 57.4 percent a season ago to 49.5 entering Thursday, his defensive effort remains sound to justify still getting on the court. According to NBA.com, Jaquez is holding opponents to just 40.7 percent shooting compared to yielding a mark of 47.6 as a rookie.
Jaquez says he isn’t where he wants to be just yet, but trusting the process is always the name of the game, so long as you’re putting the work in. So there is optimism for the second-year forward to figure it out, whether thanks to his own work or appreciating the goodwill of teammates like Love keeping his spirits high.
“It’s been great,” Jaquez said of his relationship with Love. “We’ve got a locker right next to each other. Obviously, he went to UCLA — I did as well, so we have that little bond. But it’s grown past that. He’s just an amazing dude to be around. Always has great energy. Always trying to be in my ear about things I can do better and take care of my body — off-the-court stuff as well. So I’m always talking to him, asking him questions — great vet. I love him, so it’s great.”
So what makes Jaquez, in Love’s own words, an old soul?
“I think his taste in music, for sure.” Love said. “He goes all the way back to Motown, and old-school ’50s and ’60s rock, all the way up to current day, so I can really appreciate him being well-versed in all types of music because it speaks volumes and a language as well.”
When asked about his music selections, Jaquez didn’t disagree with Love’s sentiments about having an array of preferences.
“I like to say I have a deep bag. I love everything,” Jaquez said. “There’s not a genre I would ever turn away — if I like it, I like it. He’s kind of the same way.
“I have Apple Wrapped. I won’t lie, it was pretty basic. I have thousands of artists that I’ve listened to over the time. Drake, he always finds a way to get No. 1, but he has so many hit songs, it’s hard not to play him. But I got like Don Toliver in there, Tame Impala, 070 Shake, etc. He’s [Love] shown me a lot of songs, man. He’s intelligent, so smart and knows so much, so I always try to pick his brain whenever I can.”
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra cannot deny the value of his “UCLA boys” remaining joined at the hip. This season, Miami has won seven of the 11 games in which the duo has played, over which they’ve logged 44 minutes with a plus-1.4 net rating. While the sample size and its returns are moderate, Spoelstra values chemistry beyond stats, trusting his players to do ample work behind the scenes to prepare for any minutes they log on the court.
“We’re pretty consistent with our rotation,” Spoelstra said. “That tends to change, but when we’re stable, usually, those two guys are going in roughly around the same time. Usually, I’ll just turn to the bench and say, ‘UCLA,’ and they know to go in there. They do have a good connection.”
On the season, the Heat are still seeking sound footing in the Eastern Conference standings, especially coming off another close road loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Oklahoma City Thunder visit on Friday in another test during what has been a challenging season that still has potential for a turnaround. One of the most important pieces to that will be Jaquez, who is shooting only 10 percent from 3 since scoring a season-high 19 points in his lone start of the season on Dec. 2 at the Boston Celtics.
In any case, he’s surrounded by teammates and coaches who support his growth and who are invested in him reaching his potential.
“I know Jaime is a bit older, but he’s still young in terms of learning himself and his game and being a pro,” Heat assistant coach Malik Allen told The Athletic. “He works so hard, and sometimes, he’s working so hard that he’s missing moments to slow down. But that’s what makes him, him — and that’s why, I think, we love him. If you get on him, he shakes his head and says, ‘I got it.’ You can coach him. In today’s NBA, sometimes, that can be a little bit harder. But some guys, you can coach them. He wants to be good, he’s humble and he’s consistent every day. He just brings a consistent energy to wanna be good and contribute in a positive way.
“It’s a good synergy from both of them for our team. You need consistent, everyday guys. You have one as a vet, one as a young guy. You gotta be able to count on both of those. We love them.”
(Photo: Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
