What Tyler Herro’s First All-Star Selection Means for the Future of the Heat

The greatest headline of the Miami Heat’s 2024-25 campaign can be described in two words.

Tyler. Herro.

Herro has been the team’s best player all season long, and he has now been awarded with an official NBA All-Star nod.

The rest of the Eastern Conference reserves include Jaylen Brown, Pascal Siakam, Darius Garland, Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Damian Lillard. The starters are Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Karl-Anthony Towns.

It is the first of the 25-year-old’s young career. His breakout season has been recognized to the point of being considered among the league’s best. Herro is averging 24.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.1 APG on 47.4% shooting and 40% from 3-point range. All are career-highs, and he is on pace to become Miami's first 24-point scorer since LeBron James in 2014.

He has even gone on to appear in 45 of the Heat’s first 46 games this season. Once labeled as “fragile” by team president Pat Riley, Herro got in the best shape of his career. The result has led to his greatest on-court production ever.

The Miami Heat now have a legitimate All-Star duo to build around for years to come.

In a post-Jimmy Butler era, Miami has a bright future despite all the trade drama that has taken place. Bam Adebayo, who secured his third All-Star appearance last season, now has a legitimate co-All-Star in Herro.

Any sort of retooling under Riley in the near future will be easier to orchestrate with established star players leading the way. 

Herro has grown into a dominant, well-rounded offensive player while also making strides on the other end as an improved individual defender in the backcourt. His development as an elite playmaker and ball handler has been impressive— to go along with his refined finishing in the paint. He is never afraid of the big moment to step up in the clutch as a true top option as a creator down the stretch for the Heat.

The uptick in 3-point volume and rim drives has recently taken up the majority of his skill set, and it has led to the most efficient campaign of his six-year career.

He joins a prestigious small list of Miami guards to secure an All-Star spot, joining Dwyane Wade, Tim Hardaway and Goran Dragic. Herro also becomes the third player drafted by the franchise, joining Wade and Adebayo, to make the team.

Additionally, he  is one of just 11 total players in NBA history to win both the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award and make an All-Star team. James Harden is one more active player to accomplish that feat.

It is safe to say that none of Heat Nation is surprised by Herro’s latest honor. And it could be just the beginning for the rising talent, who has now cemented his status as an elite force in the NBA.