The Miami Heat shocked a few people when they took Tyler Herro at 13 in last year’s NBA Draft. More shockingly, he might be a top 5 Heat pick of all time.
The Miami Heat couldn’t have possibly known what they were getting before they drafted Tyler Herro. They obviously had a good enough idea though, as they took him.
Although hindsight is always 20/20, as they say, it’s now more than apparent that they made the right decision. Here were his “weaknesses” entering the NBA Draft process, according to popular NBA Draft coverage site, NBAdraft.net.
"Lacks length. Doesn’t have the ideal NBA body, measuring 6’5” with 6’4.5” wingspan and had 12.4% body fat at UK’s pro day … Struggles with his footwork when receiving the ball off of screens, often does not have them squared up and thus preventing him from getting quickly into a shooting motion … Absolutely not a ball handler … Can be a streaky shooter that goes cold for stretches of the game … Not very explosive off the dribble lacking a great first step … Lacks ideal lateral quickness, leading to him struggling with smaller, quicker players when playing defense … When not scoring, he can have games in which he gives you little else … Not a great passer, and he can get tunnel vision when driving to the rim … Sometimes struggles making entry passes to the post, resulting in turnovers … Has a loose handle and is susceptible to getting stripped when driving to the rim … Limited athleticism could be a hindrance at the next level, and will have to rely more on angles to set himself up at the NBA level …"
The Miami Heat took Tyler Herro at 13 in the last NBA Draft. They didn’t know they were getting top 5 pick, both in that draft and in their history.
Well, it turns out that he doesn’t struggle with his footwork at all, he’s just wanky and excels at finishing off of those odd platforms. Also, not only is he a ball handler, but he is the future of the Miami Heat at the on-ball position.
He can be a streaky shooter, but he ignites at the most important parts of the game. His first step isn’t quick at all, but he is so smart, deceptive, and creative that it doesn’t matter becaue he never allows the defender to establish a good base of balance.
They also noted that when he isn’t scoring, he tends to not be involved. That couldn’t be further from the truth either, as he has shown an ability to be a very good rebounder for his position.
Basically, this wasn’t about proving them wrong. This was to say that we were all wrong.
The Miami Heat knew what they were getting, a good player. We didn’t know he would turn out to be a top 5 Miam Heat draft pick of all time though.
Simply based on where he was selected, his impact, and relative to the rest of the picks, he cracks that list already. The list and in no order accept the first one, goes as follows: Dwyane Wade, Rony Seikaly, Glen Rice, Bam Adebayo, and then… Tyler Herro.
It’s not as complicated as it sounds. Check out the list for yourself.
As early as it may be, the Miami Heat have a good one on their hands. If he keeps going like he did this season, he will surely be a great one.