The Miami Heat Must Not Lose Patience With Tyler Herro
By Isiah Curry
Miami Heat Patience: How Has Tyler Herro’s Season Gone Thus Far?
Indeed, Game Six of the NBA Finals was a game to forget for young Herro, as he scored just seven points on 3-10 shooting, but most notably became the youngest player ever, at 20, to start in an NBA Finals game since Magic Johnson in 1980.
Herro’s most notable moment was during Game Three of last year’s NBA Finals. This was a game-sealing layup over former Lakers guard, Rajon Rondo, which led to a three-point play — including a disdainful snarl for millions of viewers watching at home.
3 reasons why Trevor Ariza should be great for this team. light. Also
The early excelling wasn’t a total surprise though as upon being drafted, Herro instantaneously drew comparisons to Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker, who was also taken 13th in the first round of the 2015 Draft. This was primarily because of their similar offensive capabilities.
Although being in a more favorable situation, Herro hasn’t had to accept as much responsibility as that in which Booker had early on. With the 2019-20 season now a distant memory, Herro’s sophomore year is almost where you’d expect it.
He’s currently holding averages of 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 42% shooting from the field and just 31% from beyond the arc. After missing seven games in the month of January due to the league’s Health and Safety protocols, Herro has returned to the Heat’s lineup to continue providing instant offense, when he can.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has not only previously asked Herro to improve offensively though, but defensively as well.
"“[He] still needs to get louder,” Spoelstra said via Sun Sentinel. “But he’s definitely making strides in that area. There aren’t many players in this league that are comfortable really being vocal. But it can be a learned trait. Not everybody is going to be as loud as Jimmy, but you can improve in those areas.”"
Herro isn’t the loudest player on the floor and not even by the slightest of margins, but he quietly checks in at the scorer’s table and lets his game speak for itself. As he continues to adjust defensively to the speed and quickness of the NBA’s most elite guards, you have to believe that greater things will arise for the “Boy Wonder” on the defensive side of the ball.