Tyler Herro is off to a hot start this season, averaging 21 points per game for the Miami Heat. He has clearly elevated his game, compared to his rookie and sophomore years, while he should continue to produce at a high level for Miami.
He recently made a controversial statement regarding his abilities, specifically where he should stack up against the best of the NBA’s young talent. In a Bally Sports interview, he claimed:
"“The young guys in the league who can be All-Stars, superstars one day…Luka, Trae, Ja…I feel like my name should be in that category, too.”"
Herro received a great deal of criticism for saying this. Those who opposed Herro’s belief in himself claimed that he was acting too overconfident and that he is nowhere near the skill level of Luka Doncic or Trae Young.
However, Herro also received support, most notably from two Miami Heat legends: Shaquille O’Neal and Udonis Haslem.
Miami Heat: Tyler Herro Has The Support of NBA & Franchise Legends
Shaq gave his opinion on a TNT broadcast in response to Charles Barkley, who gave his outspoken opinion that Herro was not on the same level as the players he named. The former Heat center responded:
"“I’m with you Tyler. Don’t worry about Chuck. He don’t know what he talking about.”"
Shaq isn’t always right in his basketball analysis, but he usually has pretty good takes.
Regardless, he is not the type of person to shy away from honesty, so if he said something, he truly meant it.
Tyler Herro received high praise from one of the greatest basketball players of all time. This should give Tyler some boosted confidence to know that he is right to trust in his abilities.
Herro has also earned the respect of his teammate, Udonis Haslem. As someone who has been in the NBA for 19 seasons, he understands the game and is able to watch them closely.
When The Captain and The OG speaks, you listen.
Miami Heat: Tyler Herro Not Only Has Shaq’s Support But Udonis Haslem’s Too
Miami Heat legend and resident Culture Aficionado , Udonis Haslem, put things into perspective by saying:
"“Facts. He just hasn’t been given the keys. He came to a team that’s been successful and didn’t need a superstar right away…he came into a different situation. But skillswise, talent wise, damn right. Them other boys ain’t been to the Finals yet, and that’s not to knock them, but you see what [Herro] did. Boy got game. Straight up and down. And if he was on a team, probably not a good team, and he got to go out there and do his thing? Damn right he’d be in those conversations.”"
Haslem attends Miami Heat practices. He was able to witness, firsthand, the growth of Tyler Herro as a player.
Therefore, he is one of the most qualified people to assess whether Herro is on the same level as some of the other young stars.
However, let’s be fully honest about Herro. Is he a stat-sheet stuffer like Trae Young?
Certainly not. Does he have as big of an impact on a team’s success as Luka Doncic?
Probably not. But UD brings up a good point here.
Out of all of the players Herro named, none of them have reached the NBA Finals. The Miami Heat reached the NBA Finals in 2020 and Herro was a huge reason why.
And that was his rookie season. Look at how much growth he has experienced since then.
If Herro is not seen as someone who is on the same level as other young stars, he can and will prove that he is. It’s only a matter of time.