The Miami Heat are in the midst of their first four-game skid of the 2025-26 season. Every season features highs and lows — both individually and collectively — but the Heat’s recent skid coincides with Tyler Herro’s return to the lineup.
Herro isn’t having a bad start to the season, per se. He’s averaging 23.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 50.5 percent from the floor, 40.5 percent from 3-point range and 92.3 percent from the free-throw line. But it has been far from perfect — on both ends — through his first six games.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra backed his one-time All-Star amid the recent criticism.
“It’s just a total overreaction that’s misguided. We need Tyler,” Spoelstra said earlier this week regarding the narrative that Herro is the reason for the team’s recent struggles. “It will be a little bit of a process working him back into the mix. But to get where we need to go, we need Tyler’s skill and talent.
“That’s what we’re working on right now. We can be very dangerous when we get guys on the same page, committing to our identity. And Tyler’s a big part of that.”
There was always going to be an adjustment period:
Over the Heat’s last eight games, they have scored more than 111 points just twice. In their first 17, they did all but twice. Miami’s ball movement hasn’t been as crisp, but they also haven’t been making as many shots. He’s contributed to that issue, but it’s not solely on him.
The difficulty with assessing Herro’s first six games is him defensively. There have been moments, but he had a big red bullseye for opposing ball handlers. And those results have been everything but promising, neutralizing his overall impact, even if he’s scoring 20-plus points offensively.
Herro’s never played in this kind of offense — one that doesn’t feature ball-screens to create advantages. Throughout most of his career, he’s been one of Miami’s most frequent pick-and-roll ballhandlers, where he’s grown as a playmaker and shotmaker against drop.
At some point, he will adjust, and the team will adjust (and hopefully make more shots) around him. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.
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just checked the standings. after falling to #10, at least Heat is in 6th place even without competition the past days lol. hope the long rest recalibrated them. who knows they might make up for lost ground and win 5 straight
ty was in a no win situation .for me the biggest diff has been jjj.pre tyler was playing as good a ball a player could play i was hoping it was sustainable but post tyler return no.hes still been ok just not pre tyler level
You just make shit up as you go. Jaquez’ performance was tailing off before Herro returned, including a 4-15 game, 4-12 game and increased turnovers.
I agree it’s not Ty alone, much more of a shared responsibility:. But, this four game losing streak is concerning, can’t be shrugged off as if it will just fix itself with time. The roster is just average, despite having some talented players. If we stop here we are essentially mediocre tankers, just good enough to give hope, not good enough to really fulfill the promise. And this is as far as we will get unless we make some realistic upgrades.
Strap in because it’s going to be a bumpy ride, with a lot of ups and downs, until we figure out where to go from here. I remain hopeful that now that the penalty salary cap phase is behind us and the Rozier debacle may be wrapping up, there will be moves made, necessary ones, and yet not that undoable. One smart acquisition could make a huge difference, and two could bring everything into reach.
Its still early. Such slumps happen to each team. Heat are still in contention for places 3-8.
Upgrades are needed, true, but at an elite level.
I would do this deal in a heartbeat.
Proposed Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Myles Turner, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Miami Heat Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Al Horford, Brandin Podziemski
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Jonathan Kuminga, Kel’el Ware, 2028 first-round pick (GSW), 2029 first-round pick (MIA), 2031 first-round pick (MIA)
Giannis, Bam, Wiggins, Powell, Mitchell. Bench – Horford, Podziemski, Dru, Pelle, Keshad, Kaspar, Simone, and Jovic. Plus one vet or promoted g league player.
Horford declining quickly. Make that Quinten Post instead and maybe.
Mitchell, Powell, Wiggins, Antetokounmpo, Bam
Smith, Podziemski, Larsson, Fontecchio, Post
Jakucionis, Jovic, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo, heatforlife
I’m assuming they won’t include Post. I’d still take the deal as is. Then you can add Mo Bamba or other player for the backup center position.
Hey Spo, if you can make it work with Herro, cool. If you can’t make it work, get the very best deal you can get. I’m sure there are several individual and package deals possible. Time for Heat fans to put their Holiday Wish Lists together.
the butler could do it
He already did it.
P.S. We call him “The Quitter” now. No banner or statue for that @$$hole/traitor.
for my heat xmas 1 ss all im asking santasunman
Giannis might be more than just a pipedream.