It’s perhaps the biggest debate among Miami Heat fans: Should Tyler Herro go to the bench?
Until coach Erik Spoelstra does anything different, it might be a moot argument. Over the last two seasons since being inserted into the starting lineup following his 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year campaign, Herro has started all but two games he’s appeared in.
But there could be a reason to re-evaluate Herro’s position. The Heat are 44-37 over the past two seasons in games Herro has started alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. It’s a core that hardly plays with the chemistry expected after spending five seasons together. If it hasn’t happened yet, it’s fair to wonder if that trio will ever gel.
Then there’s the other part of the equation: If Spoelstra were to make a dramatic change and move Herro to the bench, who would take his place? Here are the obvious options.
4. Duncan Robinson
Whatever chemistry Herro lacks with Butler and Adebayo, Robinson has it. But don’t take it from me, take it from Udonis Haslem, who told ESPN’s First Take that he would move Herro to the bench and start Robinson.
“For chemistry, we’re better with Duncan Robinson in the starting lineup, making plays, being that trigger,” Haslem said. “Tyler can come off in that second group, no worry about getting guys involved, just play ball, score and be who he is.”
Robinson doesn’t need the ball to be impactful. The threat of his quick-trigger shot forces defenders to cover him as he runs around the arc, creating space for Butler and Adebayo to work in the paint. If the Heat were to bench Herro but want to maintain optimal spacing around their tentpole stars, Robinson is the obvious choice.