Spoelstra, did you see this?

Nikola Jović has, to put it mildly, endured a turbulent season.

After two rather promising years where, despite his youth (Jović is only 23, remember), he managed to impress Erik Spoelstra and become a crucial rotational player for the Miami Heat, Jović found himself on a slippery slope midway through last season, ending up at the bottom. Just when he was expected to take the next step in his career, evolving from a rotational player into a regular starter, perhaps even a key contributor, Jović fell into a vicious cycle of injuries, bench time, and lackluster performances.

He spun in this cycle, round and round, unable to find a way out. He finished the season with 47 games played (more than the 46 he had in the two seasons prior, but still...), and only one start, which came on opening night.

Because of all this, local and international media have been speculating about his trade for months. Miami brought in Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer and embarked on a serious reconstruction, with him as the supposed starting point. Due to this, and the fact that Jović played with many fluctuations last season, recording his weakest numbers (7.3 points, 2.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game) since his rookie year, he was already envisioned with packed bags at Miami airport, waiting to board a flight to Minneapolis, or some other "backwater"...

It also didn't help Jović that Spoelstra publicly jabbed him in April, stating that he "needs to work more and complain less," alluding to apparently true media speculations that the young Serbian basketball player was dissatisfied with his coach (too) often changing his roles and using him in different positions, with varying minute allocations.

And, of course, Nikola Jović understood that. Appearing on the "6.75" podcast, Jović explained that the things Spoelstra demands from him are now much clearer, and that he would like to stay in Miami. Most likely, he will, as American media are now reporting that Miami has given up on acquiring Norman Powell, and thus, a trade that would most likely have included Jović.

Beyond his words, Jović also expressed his desire to stay in Miami through the last two games of the July World Cup qualifiers, where he combined for an impressive 54 points.

True, the "Eagles" played against, with all due respect, the national teams of Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but even so, Jović showed that this summer (and it's only early July!) he has worked hard on himself and is hungry for basketball. So hungry, his stomach is growling...

This was particularly evident on Monday evening in Pionir, when he poured in 32 points against the BiH selection, with an incredible 7/9 from three-point range and 11/15 from the field. He ran like the wind, moved excellently without the ball, found open shooting positions, turned the basket into an Olympic swimming pool, blocked two shots, and was very tough on defense. In short, he showed that he is physically super-prepared and determined to prove to Spoelstra once and for all that he belongs in Miami. And that, of course, he has matured enough to become one of the main players for the Serbian national team.

The quality of his performance during the international window is further highlighted by the fact that coach Dušan Alimpijević, in his characteristic suave manner, praised him at the press conference held after the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Let's hear what Nikola has to say," Alimpijević said with a smile as he and Jović appeared before reporters. "He hit, like, seven threes, so now he thinks he knows a lot..."

Of course, he knows. He's only 23, practically at the beginning of his career, and it seems that if he continues like this and remains "smart," he could become one of the best Serbian basketball players of the 21st century. Right alongside Bogdanović, Bjelica, Teodosić.

Alimpijević is already aware of this, which is why he teases him.

Spoelstra is probably aware too (otherwise, why would Miami give him a three-year contract?), but in the ruthless world of the NBA, there's not much time or room for overcoming growing pains.

That's probably why Spoelstra tried to shake him up last season, and why Miami hesitated about a trade this summer.

However, there's no longer any need for hesitation... Jović played a monstrous qualifying cycle and it seems he will return to Florida – injuries permitting, touch wood – more prepared than ever.

VIDEO What a Jović! Terrific Jović!