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After a quiet start to his NBA career -- DNPs, a G League stint in Sioux Falls -- rookie Kasparas Jakucionis has finally cracked the Miami Heat rotation. Since early February, he's averaging over 24 minutes a night and making them count: 12.4 points and 4.4 assists on 75.5 percent true shooting over his last five games.
In an exclusive interview with HoopsHype, Jakucionis opens up about playing for Erik Spoelstra, the behind-the-scenes grind of NBA road trips, why sleep is his ultimate recovery tool, and what Heat Culture really feels like from the inside.
Kasparas Jakucionis: It's been good trying to adapt. There have been a lot of ups and downs, which is normal. I'm excited to just enjoy the process, embrace it, and try to learn as much as I can from the other guys and the coaches. To soak all the information in, I just try to be myself, work hard, and try to get better. As time goes on, the more comfortable I feel. I’m just trying to stay patient and keep going the same way.
KJ: Yeah, that's definitely a change. It's a lot of games; almost every other day is a game day. On off days, we usually travel. Like today, we fly and then practice. So yeah, it's been an adjustment for sure, especially those first road trips we did. It was a different feeling. With time, I think I'm getting used to it, even though it still takes time. But I like playing. It's more competitive, and I like to win. So I try to execute everything I can to help the team.
KJ: I'm not gonna lie, I am still trying to adapt to it. But like I said, it's getting better and better. I think with time and a few years, it will become easier. But still, I feel tired a lot of the time. I like to take naps and sleep at night to get a good night's sleep because I think it's very important to rest, and I'm trying to take all the rest I can.
KJ: I think it just comes with time and experience. Obviously, I don't have a lot of experience yet, so there are still up-and-down moments, good moments and bad moments. But I'm just trying to stay consistent and stay the same way. With time, everything comes.
KJ: I would say that here, the players are very good. Everybody on the court can basically do everything, and they have a lot of experience. A lot of the guys study the game, so their IQ is higher. The physicality, the speed, and the fact that the court is bigger, everything, basically. The game is faster too, especially with our pace since we run a lot. I like it because that is where I feel good, and I just try to execute in that.
KJ: You adapt to the game, the defense, and to every situation. It's not that you just do the same thing over and over again. You just try to read the game and make the best decisions you can. Every possession is different, and every team guards you differently. We just try to do what's best in each situation.
KJ: I talk to a lot of guys on our team. From a defensive standpoint, I talk a lot to Davion [Mitchell], especially when he was injured and I was playing in his role. I was trying to just embrace it all. He talks to me, and I try to ask him questions, even on the court. I'll ask, "What should I do right now in this situation?" during the game or before the game. Whenever I have a question, I ask.
KJ: Definitely some little details. I won't say which ones, but just a lot of details that help me in the moment. Then you try to implement those on the court, and after some reps, it just starts coming naturally. That's how it is for him, he has learned a lot and is doing his best. I'm just trying to take the first steps and follow in his footsteps.
KJ: Everybody helped me. I talked to the younger guys who were here and the international guys about how the transition is. Every time I have questions, I ask, but if they see me struggling with something, they will always tell me. I really appreciate them for that.
KJ: Yeah, it was a good experience. I really needed to play and get in a rhythm, so I really enjoyed the process there. I think it helped me a lot just to get the rhythm of playing real basketball, competing to win, and trying to make reads on the court. It's a little bit colder there, but it reminded me of home a little bit with the snow. It was fun.
KJ: No, I had heard a lot of things about it before, so I already knew where I was going.
KJ: To be honest, it's hard to say just one thing. It wasn't necessarily one moment on the court, but the first time I experienced a road trip where we were on the road for four or five games. We came back, and I think I didn't even play in any of those games since it was the beginning of the season, and when we landed, it was like four or five in the morning. I was so tired and I thought, "Damn." That was probably one of the biggest surprises.
KJ: Even before coming to the league, I was watching a lot of film. I don't know if I want to name the players, but I was watching individual players and how they play to try to implement some things into my game.
KJ: Yeah, he’s so nice, an amazing coach, to be honest. He has a lot of knowledge of the game and is a very good leader. He reminds me of some of my coaches in Barcelona, like Sarunas Jasikevicius, and even last year with Brad Underwood at Illinois. I think they all have this kind of drive to win and always try to reach their maximum potential. They try to get everyone on the same page and include everybody to win. They don't just say it, they lead by example. I'm really grateful to have this opportunity to be on this team and learn from the best.
KJ: Yeah, it's amazing. It's very similar to how I think things should be in basketball or in life: working hard and trying to win every time. Being together, being hungry every time you step on the court, diving for loose balls, and paying attention to little details. I think that's what makes the difference.
You can follow Cyro Asseo (@CyroAsseo) on X, formerly known as Twitter, or Bluesky. Email me comments, thoughts or ideas to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kasparas Jakucionis Q&A: ‘Erik Spoelstra reminds me of Sarunas Jasikevicius’
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In an exclusive interview with HoopsHype, Jakucionis opens up about playing for Erik Spoelstra, the behind-the-scenes grind of NBA road trips, why sleep is his ultimate recovery tool, and what Heat Culture really feels like from the inside.
How are you handling your rookie year?
Kasparas Jakucionis: It's been good trying to adapt. There have been a lot of ups and downs, which is normal. I'm excited to just enjoy the process, embrace it, and try to learn as much as I can from the other guys and the coaches. To soak all the information in, I just try to be myself, work hard, and try to get better. As time goes on, the more comfortable I feel. I’m just trying to stay patient and keep going the same way.
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How are you adjusting to the NBA's 82-game grind?
KJ: Yeah, that's definitely a change. It's a lot of games; almost every other day is a game day. On off days, we usually travel. Like today, we fly and then practice. So yeah, it's been an adjustment for sure, especially those first road trips we did. It was a different feeling. With time, I think I'm getting used to it, even though it still takes time. But I like playing. It's more competitive, and I like to win. So I try to execute everything I can to help the team.
When did you start adapting to the travel routine and playing through fatigue?
KJ: I'm not gonna lie, I am still trying to adapt to it. But like I said, it's getting better and better. I think with time and a few years, it will become easier. But still, I feel tired a lot of the time. I like to take naps and sleep at night to get a good night's sleep because I think it's very important to rest, and I'm trying to take all the rest I can.
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What clicked for you during your recent successful stretch of games?
KJ: I think it just comes with time and experience. Obviously, I don't have a lot of experience yet, so there are still up-and-down moments, good moments and bad moments. But I'm just trying to stay consistent and stay the same way. With time, everything comes.
What is the biggest difference between playing overseas, in the NCAA, and in the NBA?
KJ: I would say that here, the players are very good. Everybody on the court can basically do everything, and they have a lot of experience. A lot of the guys study the game, so their IQ is higher. The physicality, the speed, and the fact that the court is bigger, everything, basically. The game is faster too, especially with our pace since we run a lot. I like it because that is where I feel good, and I just try to execute in that.
You must be registered for see images
What new tricks did you teach yourself to succeed at each level?
KJ: You adapt to the game, the defense, and to every situation. It's not that you just do the same thing over and over again. You just try to read the game and make the best decisions you can. Every possession is different, and every team guards you differently. We just try to do what's best in each situation.
Which veterans do you ask for advice?
KJ: I talk to a lot of guys on our team. From a defensive standpoint, I talk a lot to Davion [Mitchell], especially when he was injured and I was playing in his role. I was trying to just embrace it all. He talks to me, and I try to ask him questions, even on the court. I'll ask, "What should I do right now in this situation?" during the game or before the game. Whenever I have a question, I ask.
You must be registered for see images
What specific defensive skill did Davion Mitchell teach you?
KJ: Definitely some little details. I won't say which ones, but just a lot of details that help me in the moment. Then you try to implement those on the court, and after some reps, it just starts coming naturally. That's how it is for him, he has learned a lot and is doing his best. I'm just trying to take the first steps and follow in his footsteps.
Which teammates helped you acclimate to the Heat as an international rookie?
KJ: Everybody helped me. I talked to the younger guys who were here and the international guys about how the transition is. Every time I have questions, I ask, but if they see me struggling with something, they will always tell me. I really appreciate them for that.
Did your G League assignment in Sioux Falls meet your expectations?
KJ: Yeah, it was a good experience. I really needed to play and get in a rhythm, so I really enjoyed the process there. I think it helped me a lot just to get the rhythm of playing real basketball, competing to win, and trying to make reads on the court. It's a little bit colder there, but it reminded me of home a little bit with the snow. It was fun.
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Did the isolation in Sioux Falls surprise you?
KJ: No, I had heard a lot of things about it before, so I already knew where I was going.
What gave you your "Welcome to the NBA" moment?
KJ: To be honest, it's hard to say just one thing. It wasn't necessarily one moment on the court, but the first time I experienced a road trip where we were on the road for four or five games. We came back, and I think I didn't even play in any of those games since it was the beginning of the season, and when we landed, it was like four or five in the morning. I was so tired and I thought, "Damn." That was probably one of the biggest surprises.
Which players do you study on tape to improve your game?
KJ: Even before coming to the league, I was watching a lot of film. I don't know if I want to name the players, but I was watching individual players and how they play to try to implement some things into my game.
You must be registered for see images attach
How does Erik Spoelstra compare to your previous coaches?
KJ: Yeah, he’s so nice, an amazing coach, to be honest. He has a lot of knowledge of the game and is a very good leader. He reminds me of some of my coaches in Barcelona, like Sarunas Jasikevicius, and even last year with Brad Underwood at Illinois. I think they all have this kind of drive to win and always try to reach their maximum potential. They try to get everyone on the same page and include everybody to win. They don't just say it, they lead by example. I'm really grateful to have this opportunity to be on this team and learn from the best.
How do you view Heat Culture now that you experience it firsthand?
KJ: Yeah, it's amazing. It's very similar to how I think things should be in basketball or in life: working hard and trying to win every time. Being together, being hungry every time you step on the court, diving for loose balls, and paying attention to little details. I think that's what makes the difference.
You can follow Cyro Asseo (@CyroAsseo) on X, formerly known as Twitter, or Bluesky. Email me comments, thoughts or ideas to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kasparas Jakucionis Q&A: ‘Erik Spoelstra reminds me of Sarunas Jasikevicius’
Continue reading...
