Tyler Herro has become one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. However, after being recently compared to Cam Thomas, Miami Heat fans must be having a good laugh. Herro is far from a perfect star, but for Thomas to be compared to him, at least at this point in his career, is pretty disrespectful.
According to a report from the New York Post, Thomas believes he isn't a "lesser player" than Tyler Herro, RJ Barrett, or Immanuel Quickley. But even as he continues to seek the contract extension he believes he's worth, I'm going to pump the brakes here.
Specifically in the case of Herro, Thomas is not there yet.
I understand it's become a theme and popular to pile on Herro over the last couple of seasons. No, he's not a perfect player and did struggle this past season when he was forced into the primary role in the Heat's offense.
Having said all that, Herro still managed to have an All-Star season and, while he does leave much to be desired on the defensive end of the floor, he's still one of the most efficient offensive players in basketball (especially when considering volume).
Thomas is a good, young player. He's not Herro and, as far as I'm concerned, not even close. By all accounts, this comparison is pretty laughable, especially when you break it down even further.
Herro vs. Thomas
Even if we're taking just last year as a sample size, Herro's efficiency numbers speak louder than Thomas'. But it should also be noted that Thomas only played in 25 games last year because of injuries.
Still, in his defense, he did manage to average 24 points on 43 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range. Good numbers, but not nearly as efficient as Herro was in a much larger role with much more pressure on his shoulders.
Herro averaged 24 points on 47 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from 3-point range. He also did that while averaging a career-high six assists per game. He also played in 77 games in the regular season.
Again, the comparison is not close. Not yet.
While the argument could be made that Thomas and Herro may be cut from a similar cloth, it would be unfair to both Thomas and Herro to make a singular comparison right now.
Sure, Thomas deserves his payday, but I don't believe the best way to accomplish that involves making laughable comparisons to other All-Star players. Maybe there's some correlation to Quickley and/or Barrett, but I just don't understand why Herro's name was brought up at all. Especially after the All-Star campaign he just put together.