Though the Miami Heat are busy preparing for their Game 2 matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, Tuesday saw them take some time out to celebrate themselves. Well, to celebrate an accomplishment made by one of their own.
For the presentation of an award that seemed like a foregone conclusion for much of the year, the Miami Heat’s OG, Udonis Haslem, did the honors. Here is the moment where he presented his teammate, Tyler Herro, with his 2022 NBA Sixth Man Of The Year award.
A lot of major steps taken professionally and personally - this season has been bigger than the award for @raf_tyler [SOUND UP] #6MOTYLER pic.twitter.com/A02dgTZCAK
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 3, 2022
Here is what the OG UD had to say to his young teammate, affectionately known as a bucket.
"In today’s NBA, honestly, you can be a star off the bench, you can be a star in whatever role if you see the bigger picture, if the team wins. To have a young player trust in what I say, to trust in what we say—that’s big, because they all have their own vision."
The Miami Heat had their first-ever NBA 6MOY award winner on Tuesday. Yea, you guessed it, it was none other than Tyler Herro, the man known as a ‘Bucket’.
"Also, being a father, managing being a father, being an NBA player, Sixth Man Of The Year, and giving us what we ask from you, that’s a lot, that’s big. Took a lot of steps this year man, it’s bigger than Sixth Man Of The Year for you bro, you took a lot of steps just being a man. Being a professional, so I’m proud of you."
From a guy that is known to speak his mind in exactly the way that the message comes to him, this was huge. It wasn’t just those on his own team that knew how big it was to see the Miami Heat have their first NBA 6MOY award winner though, his competition recognized it too.
Another key competitor for the award, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love shared his thoughts on the young Herro.
Everyone who knows me knows I love Tyler Herro’s game (and swag) - much respect on an incredible 6th man campaign. Best is yet to come for @raf_tyler 📈📈📈 https://t.co/vTTG0PxGEZ
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) May 3, 2022
That’s very well said by a man who has a pretty good reputation in the league as well. Known for being this humble and down to Earth, Kevin Love spoke very true words.
Speaking of Earth and Tyler Herro’s future though, that’s just it. The sky is the limit for him and this is all just the beginning, as Udonis Haslem said.
Congratulations Tyler Herro. You’re officially the best bench Bucket in the league.
But we already knew that.