While the day’s headlines will surely focus on the Kyrie Irving’s score-la-palooza right after KAT’s err, score-stock, right after Lebron went on Fyre? I think I’m running out of festivals. Regardless, with there being only 16 50-point games this season, with half of them coming in the last 17 days, today’s content will not focus on any of that. Shunning the SEO gods, that always works… but Tyler Herro‘s recent performance deserves at least some attention. And positive metrics! Coming off the bench against the Pistons, Herro managed 29 points on 8-15 field goals and 9-11 from the free throw line. Obviously it’s hard to apply the sixth man label here when Herro is averaging the same minutes played as Giannis Antetokounmpo, but not only is he a huge part of the Heat right now, the future remains bright for this young point guard.
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The 22-year-old out of Kentucky was always projected to have success the NBA level. With comps ranging from Nik Stauskas to Joe Harris, Herro’s 2019 scouting report presented us with a guard that could shoot and shoot well. Netting high marks in his excellent awareness in finding shots, agility to create his own space, excellent free throw shooting, and not being a slouch on defense, he was drafted with the 13th overall pick, just behind his fellow teammate P.J. Washington. But with the great positives, there were some negatives in terms of length, wingspan, and ball-handling. Obviously only one of those things were in his control, but fast-forward three years later, we have a player who is producing and producing at a high level.
Now slated to win the Sixth Man of the Year as a bench player who averages over 30 minutes a game, is also averaging a career-high in points and with last night’s 29 points, he’s scored at least 20 for the 10th time in his last 11. He’s also averaging 25 PPG post All-Star break. One might wonder why the Heat continue to play him off the bench, but to this writer, it’s a strategy that works and works well. With Eric Spoelstra placing him in the second unit, it forces the opposing teams to adjust against a constant scoring threat. The move also bolsters the first unit as Herro acting both as relief, and serves to hide one of his only weaknesses, and that’s defense. While I find it hard to believe that a J.J. Reddick career path would be permanent since Herro is so much more, but how he’s being used now amplifies his play and the Heat’s elite roster.
For a player who’s just 22, it almost feels like he’s been around for a while. And as he grows, the role he plays in will most certainly change, and even thought constant trade rumors persist, I believe Herro is a force to be reckoned with no matter what, now and in the future. And the value that his career 20-4-4 already brings in such an underrated way is quite the foundation to build off of and boy is he building right before our eyes…
Jay is a longtime Razzball everything who consumes an egregious amount of Makers Mark as a vehicle to gain wisdom and augment his natural glow. Living in the D.C. area, he also likes spending time visiting the local parks and feeding lettuce to any turtles he encounters, including Mitch McConnell. You can follow him on Twitter @jaywrong.
