Not Only the Game, Miami Heat Also Won vs. the LA Lakers in the Rookies Department

The Los Angeles Lakers used their first-round pick, the No. 17 selection to draft Jalen Hood-Schifino in the 2023 NBA Draft, they passed on signing players like Cam Whitmore, the No. 20 selection by the Houston Rockets, but most importantly a current runner-up for the Rookie of the Year Award Jaime Jaquez Jr., the No. 18 pick that went to the Miami Heat.

The two rookies are living contrasting debut seasons, while the Los Angeles Lakers' young guard Jalen Hood-Schifino has been injured in different games, and when he has been available hasn't played more than ten minutes on a match without making any difference, the Heat player is quickly becoming a star and making a big difference on his team.

This Wednesday the difference between the two was made evident, as Hood-Schifino played only six minutes to have 0/4 FG, zero 3-point attempts, 2 rebounds and zero scored points with a -1 in the plus/minus while the Heat's rookie Jaquez Jr. started for his team, spent 39 minutes on the floor, helping Miami to beat LA with 7/14 FG, 2/6 3-pointers, 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and scored 16 points with a +24 in the plus/minus.

Jaquez Jr. also has had a spectacular season, as he is a runner-up in the RPOY award in a very competitive year with other players like Chet Holgrem and Victor Wembanyama while Jalen Hood-Schifino is just a future bet for LA. Jaime not only helped beat the purple and gold, but he was named the rookie of the month as he is averaging 16.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 2.7 APG.

Jalen Hood-Schifino has been a major disappointment for the fans

The Lakers' scouting department has shown what they are capable of, but at the moment, fans believe JHS was a mistake as the team wants to win another NBA title and could've benefited from rookies like Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Cam Whitmore.