Miami Heat: Tyler Herro The ‘Sixth Starter’ For A Reason

Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat celebrates a three pointer by Max Strus #31 (not pictured) against the Detroit Pistons(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat celebrates a three pointer by Max Strus #31 (not pictured) against the Detroit Pistons(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Miami Heat
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) and center Bam Adebayo (13) battle Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) for a rebound( Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

Miami Heat: Tyler Herro’s Potency Increases With His Reign Over The Ball

It could work if all of them were together in a starting lineup, meaning they could all figure it out, however, there is also this. Getting the best out of Bam Adebayo has started to become a thing and with his passive nature, the one that everyone has been asking him to snap out of, adding a guy that needs the ball as Herro does would only encourage him to be more passive.

Or, it would foster a situation where Herro couldn’t give you all that he has. If Bam Adebayo continues his aggression, which you should absolutely want him to, those are shots that Tyler can’t take or create but why would you do something to limit either of them?

Allowing Herro to come in with a group of guys that need to play off of somebody with Herro’s ability, anyway, allows everyone to operate at their peak efficiencies. However, it’s also the time when the Miami Heat needs it the most.

You need Jimmy, Kyle, and Bam out there to start, to set the tone and to establish the foundation for both sides of the ball, while you need Herro to come in with the second unit, be their go-to guy, and punish the opposing bench units like the starter that his skillset truly says he is.

He is a starter-level player and will be for the Miami Heat, at some point. However, at this current juncture, it works better for all parties involved for a reason.

Jimmy, Kyle, and Bam can be their best selves without full reign over the rock and perhaps, Tyler can too. However, you know his potential when he has the majority of the reign over the rock, so why would you limit or cap your own or his potential by putting him with a group that will, inevitably, take the ball out of his hands more?

It doesn’t make sense. This, though, is why he’s the sixth starter and why there’s a clearly intentional reason for that being that case.