It seems like the Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro has put himself in a position for a prove it year each of the last few seasons. Entering the 2024-25 campaign is no different, following Herro’s career-low 42 games played this past season. The talent and ability has always been there, it just comes down to being available.
Herro’s efforts as a three level scorer make him a crucial part of the Heat’s offense, and it looks like the offensive philosophy is changing for the better moving forward. Coach Erik Spoelstra has made it a point to address 3-point volume and embrace a faster playing pace; both elements that could positively impact Herro’s game.
When asked about Miami’s 40 3-point attempt bench mark throughout this preseason, Herro acknowledged the team needs to continue this trend.
“We want to shoot layups and 3s honestly. There will be times where we shoot mid range 2s but for our offense to be where we want we need to shoot 3s. Particularly me and Terry playing off Bam and Jimmy.”
(- Tyler Herro via Heat YouTube)
Miami, along with several other contenders this preseason, are strategizing to keep up with the reigning champion Boston Celtics’ 3-point volume. The long range shot has become more important as the years have gone by. Fortunately for Herro, he is one of the best shooters on the Heat.
Herro’s role over the years has involved a lot of playmaking with the ball in his hands. With a healthy Terry Rozier in the mix, he could get back to a more comfortable role as a spot up shooter.
Tyler Herro on playing more off-ball this season:
“Being able to kind of flow into that is going to be easier on me. It’ll be more efficient in my game. … It’s good. I like it.”#HEATCulture
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) October 15, 2024
This type of play brings Heat fans back to Herro’s rookie year, where he was very impactful playing off of other ball handlers.
It brings less pressure on him to not worry about creating as much offense. Instead, he could focus on utilizing the biggest strengths in his game as a movement catch and shoot asset. It is a more natural role for a player of Herro’s caliber, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still capable of getting a bucket in different ways.
Herro could score at any spot on the floor with ease. He is such a gifted offensive player when it comes to taking defenders off the dribble. Whether that is with his midrange, floaters, finishing at the rim, or beyond the 3-point line, Herro has the ability to do it all.
However, he has now bought in to a more team oriented approach of playing off his All-Star caliber teammates. And a minor role change in this regard could make the Heat offense that much more lethal.
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Thank you Spo for finally listening to making Heat expand on shooting 3s. When there was so much talk about trading Herro and Robinson, I was against such a trade without getting equal replacement with players who could shoot above 40% from the arc. Fun to watch this new approach to offense in
thisthese preseason games.I am enjoying the preseason so far.
Go Heat, Go!
Unfortunately, I think last year was the “prove it” year for Tyler Herro.
Last year, Tyler was being discussed as the same caliber of player as Tyrese Maxey and Jordan Poole. Since then, Poole took a step back, Maxey took a step up, and Herro settled into the middle.
Herro is an above average role player. A quality starter. If you move him to the bench, he’s already proven to be one of the best 6th men in the league. He’s a really good player. But it doesn’t look like he has the potential to be an all-star, or the best scorer on a contender. That’s okay, no team in the NBA is running an 8-man rotation of 8-all-stars. But if we’re going to talk about a ‘new role’ for Herro, I think we have to start by accepting him for who he is.
That assessment sounds about right. He’s a creative offensive player. And he’s built himself up, which was his biggest weakness on defense. The Heat could win with him and Rozier, Butler, Bam, if they had a player of Kuzma’s ability, a low A- player, at Jovic’s spot. Highsmith isn’t that guy either, until he proves consistent on the offensive end. I would love a trade to get us really into contention. Herro is fine, as a starter or 6th man. And, every hope we have is predicated on those players staying healthy too.
Herro has another level (or two) he can get to. He just needs to make up his mind he wants to do it!!!