Miami Heat Roundtable: Should Tyler Herro Be A Starter?

Tyler Herro might be the best option on the team for the starting lead guard’s job. Will the Miami Heat put him there?

Garrett Brooks (@Garrett_Brooks1)

Tyler Herro is absolutely capable of being a starter in the NBA and on this Heat team. That being said, I do not expect him to be with the starters as the 2020-21 season kicks off.

It’s more about how coach Spoelstra will want to start games and how Herro can be the focal point of the offense when he plays with the second unit.

Remember, he played the third-most minutes per game on the team during last year’s playoff run but started just five of 21 games. It’s cliche, but must be said here: It’s not about who starts, it’s about who finishes.

The Heat have interesting decisions to make regarding their starting five, but I see it coming down to one thing at the end of the day. Defense.

I expect the Heat to start free-agent acquisition, Avery Bradley, in their backcourt and likely in place of Kendrick Nunn. That would keep Duncan Robinson in the starting unit alongside Jimmy and Bam as well.

The final spot will be one of Leonard, Olynyk or potentially even Moe Harkless.

While the offense will have struggles early in games at times, this lineup sets the tone for the kind of defensive effort the Heat want to play with on a nightly basis. Bradley was vital for the Los Angeles Lakers during the regular season last year, being a pest from the opening tip and setting the tone for the team defensively.

Leaving Robinson in the starting five is both easily coverable on defense and gives the team an added option in the limited offensive sets for the group.