Tyler Herro may no longer be a fit on the Miami Heat, and the evidence is continuing to mount. Since his return, the Heat have not looked as comfortable, and the team's overall results have been hit or miss. For as good a player as Herro is, the Heat may no longer be the best fit for him.
And that's not necessarily a knock on Herro. The Heat underwent many philosophical changes this offseason, and Herro may no longer be the star player that this franchise is built for. It's not a bad thing, but it certainly clouds his future with the Heat.
The statistical evidence against Tyler Herro's fit is mounting
In the first 17 games, the Heat only scored under 115 points three times. In the five games since Herro's return, they've done so three times. They're also just 3-2 in those games.
Furthermore, in the first 17 games, the Heat were playing at the fastest pace in the league and were averaging more than 106 possessions per game. They were also averaging the most points per game (124.9) in the league. In the five games since Herro's return, the Heat have fallen off their electric pace, dropping to third in the league in pace while averaging 103.9 possessions per game. They've also dropped to 10th in points per game (119).
But even beyond the stats, Herro has not passed the eye test in the Heat's new offense.
Tyler Herro has not been himself in the Heat's new offense
He hasn't looked all that comfortable when he's on the floor, and has tipped the Heat off rhythm. Sure, growing pains were expected in Herro's return, but these are signs that can no longer be ignored.
Perhaps most importantly, the Heat's offense has all but eliminated one of Herro's most underrated parts of his game: playmaking. Without the usage rate that he's used to, and without the help of screen-actions, Herro's playmaking has all but disappeared.
Even though the Heat as a team is averaging the most assists per game in the league, Herro has not been the playmaker that fans are used to seeing. In his five games, he's logged two or fewer assists in four of them. He's been shut out in the assist department in two games.
What does that tell us? Well, it does prove that there's a learning curve for Herro as he gets acclimated to the new offense, but it also tells us that his playmaking ability may not be able to shine in the new system.
And if he's not the playmaker that he's been in years past, it significantly changes his overall value to the Heat. It genuinely makes you wonder whether he's that much more of an upgrade over Norman Powell, who brings a lot of what Herro does in terms of scoring. Especially with the way he's played through the first month of this season.
The only real difference between the two was Herro's elevated playmaking skill set. But if he can't even flex that in the Heat's new offensive system, the writing may be on the wall for Herro.
I suppose a lot can change over the next few weeks, but if there are no real tangible changes in the results, it's going to be awfully difficult to argue against the fact that Herro may not be a fit on the Heat anymore.