Another year, another hot start for Tyler Herro – except this time it feels a little different. Last season Tyler averaged 23 points before injuring his ankle on November 8th. That injury lingered and cost him 40 games. Before the injury, many thought Herro was making the big leap, but during his absence, he became a pariah among the Heat fan base with many calling for a change of scenery for the young guard. Still, Pat Riley showed faith in Tyler during his end-of-season press conference doubling down on his work ethic and his place as a Heat fixture. By all accounts, Herro responded coming into camp with much more muscle and less hair.
Things feel different this season. Herro looks like a real All-Star and is showing no signs of slowing down. Last night, Herro put up 34 points vs the best team in the NBA (Cleveland) for a huge Heat win. Herro is thriving in his new role and carrying the offensive load for long stretches.
The main difference to me from seasons past is in the patience he’s showing on the court. This has not only led to him averaging a career-high in assists, but his focus on getting the right bucket has caused career highs in effective field goal percentage as well as three-point percentage. Miami’s starting lineup has some issues, but Tyler is not one of them.
It’s no secret that we haven’t seen the best of Bam (but this is changing rapidly) yet this season. Bam has looked complacent at times – but has turned it on over the last two. Complacency can’t happen if the Heat want to compete, but I’d argue that Herro has put them in a situation to win each time with his effortless scoring.
Right now the only Heat player listed in MIP Futures at Bovada Basketball Betting is Jaime Jaquez Jr. at +3500, but if Tyler keeps producing at this rate it won’t be long before he starts showing up as the favorite in futures markets.
Things change fast in the NBA, so we might be looking at a very different reality next week. In the meantime, if I’m the Heat, I’m feeding the hot hand.
Kel’el Ware Continues Validating Miami Heat’s Controversial Decision (to send him to G League).
https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-heat-fans-finally-get-long-awaited-extended-look-at-kel-el-ware-01jee2w18fty
For the first time in the last three years, Herro came into camp without the cloud of being traded hanging over his head. It seems to have freed him up and allowed him to be the best version of himself as a player. He came in stronger, with more muscle/weight and a killer attitude. He has made a commitment to playing better defense. Although he is not a great defender, he is quickly becoming a better one.
I don’t know about Most Improved Player, there are several other players in the league who have made big jumps since last year (Jalen Williams, Franz Wagner and others). However I think he should definitely be in the conversation as an All-Star. He is having a great year and has become the team’s most reliable scorer.
I wish him luck in being selected for both honors.
Remember all the noice and laugh last year, when he said, that he belongs to the best of his generation, like Luka, SGA etc. If he would say that today, nobody would laugh.
He is obviously not a superstar, I don’t know if he has ability to ever be, but we are witnessing the real all star in making.
He can now compare himself with Booker and Mitchell. He outplayed both in recent games.